Kindergarten Curriculum

Phonics/Spelling

The New York Reading and Writing Project now has a Phonics program that we are using for phonological/phonemic awareness, phonics and spelling program. The lessons focus on carefully sequenced skills that include print knowledge, alphabet awareness, phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and spelling. Critical thinking, speaking and listening skills are practiced during story time activities. These skills are critical for learning to read and spell.

Reader's Workshop

The New York Reading and Writing Project will be used for Reader's Workshop. Word solving and comprehension is at the core of this program. Students are matched to "just right" books and are engaged in reading comprehension through book talks, conferencing, independent and partner reading. They are challenged to think about and understand their reading. The units are as follows:

• We are Readers
• Emergent Reading
• Super Powers: Reading with Print Strategies and Sight Word Powers
• Bigger Books, Bigger Reading Muscles
• Growing Expertise in Little Books: Reading for Information
• Giving the Gift of Reading

Writer’s Workshop

Students will write daily using New York Reading and Writing Project Writer's Workshop. Students will be expected to write narrative, informational and opinion pieces. Most of their writing will be on self-selected topics as students enjoy writing about their own experiences. Some of their writing will be prompted and will correlate with classroom themes and activities. During workshop, I will be conferencing with students on ways to improve their writing content and skills. Students will be encouraged to use charts around the room for spelling and reinforcement of skills such as capitalization and punctuation.

• Launching the Writing Workshop
• Show and Tell
• Writing for Readers
• How-to Books: Writing to Teach Others
• Persuasive Writing of All Kinds
• All About Books

Math

Our program is Eureka Math. The students will use concrete manipulatives and participate in hands-on activities to help them explore and develop an understanding of mathematical concepts. They will then learn to use abstract symbols to represent and record the following concepts:

• ​Numbers to 10
• 2D and 3D Shapes
• Comparison of Length, Weight, Capacity, and Numbers to 10
• Number Pairs, Addition and Subtraction to 10
• Numbers 10 to 20 and Counting to 100
• Analyzing Comparing and Composing Shapes

Speaking and Listening

Appropriate speaking and listening skills will be modeled and practiced during their Star Student Sharing and Oral Sharing Projects throughout the year. The students will organize their "presentations" at home as homework. They will be working on public speaking skills that will help them speak in front of a group. Using eye contact and good posture, speaking in a loud voice and answering the topic questions will be emphasized.

​Science

The Science program that will be used is Twig Science. The children will participate in hands-on experiences in Life, Earth and Physical Science through our kindergarten science program. The Segments will be the following

• Plant and Animal Needs
• Pushes and Pulls
• Weather Patterns
• Animals and Plants Can Change their Environment

Social Studies

The Social Studies program that will be used is Scott Foresman. The areas of study within this program are citizenship, geography, our country, changes over time, cultures of the world, and goods and services. The are the units covered:

• We are a classroom community
• Our nation past and links to the present
• National Symbols and Heroes
• Exploring local community, library, grocery

Character Education

We will be using Sanford Harmony Program to learn about empathy, impulse control and anger management. We will be using the Character Counts Program to teach the six pillars of Character: responsibility, respect, trustworthiness, caring, fairness, and citizenship. I use elements of Responsive Classroom like morning meeting, positive time-out, academic choice, and closing circle to reinforce and practice character traits.

Handwriting

We will be using Handwriting Without Tears as our handwriting program. You will be provided with a reference of all letters and their correct formation. Please provide gentle reminders and support at home for the proper formation of letters.

Assessment & Grading

I will use a variety of assessment tools to monitor the progress of each student. In addition to the district assessments, I will collect work samples from each child and continually observe the children as they work in the classroom.

Your child will be formally assessed and graded three times throughout the year. My goal is for each child to reach or exceed standard by the end of the first grade year.

Technology

Students will use technology ethically and effectively. The classroom ipads and Computer Lab will be available for skill reinforcement using , Raz Kids Reading, Dreambox for Math and more.