Math instruction in kindergarten consists of exploration around numbers and patterns as well as working collaboratively to solve math problems. The teacher’s role is to serve as a mentor / guide and ask questions in order for students to explain the strategies they use and their thought processes. Our mathematical focus is on having a growth mindset using math challenges to help our students grow and learn. The units of mathematical study in kindergarten are counting, shapes, quantity discrimination, addition, subtraction, place value, and measurement.
ELA instruction in kindergarten incorporates both reading and writing. The Fountas & Pinnell curriculum is used for our literacy instruction, including writing. The UFLI curriculum is the phonics supplement that we utilize. We also utilize Heggerty to address phonemic and phonological awareness in students. Through the use of interactive read-alouds, shared reading & writing, guided reading / writing, word study, and phonics instruction students engage in whole-group, small-group, and independent literacy activities. Students transition from learning letters and sounds to sight word identification, and eventually to independent reading.
The social studies curriculum we use is Inquiry Journeys. The units or modules for our Kindergarten students include Navigating School; My Team & Self; and Past, Present and Future. The year begins with students gathering information about expectations at school and investigating how they can make choices that will make the school a great place to be. The second module focuses on understanding how powerful it can be to work together in a community within their classroom. The year ends with students understanding that past memories shape individuals and help us to plan for the future. Students will also learn about wants and needs and how to make responsible choices through Junior Achievement financial literacy lessons.
Students are expected to develop an understanding of patterns and variations in local weather and the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather. Students will be able to apply an understanding of the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object to analyze a design solution. Students are also expected to develop understanding of what living things need to survive and the relationship between their needs and where they live. Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in asking questions, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, designing solutions, engaging in arguments from evidence, obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.