WALPOLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
KINDERGARTEN
Curriculum Summary by Subject
These curriculum summaries have been developed by teachers and administrators to serve as another way of communicating with parents. They highlight the core curriculum and expectations for student learning at each grade level.
The curriculum summaries describe what most students at a grade level are expected to know and be able to do by the end of the school year. They also reflect the goals of the various Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. It is important to note that although children may learn and grow at different rates and through varied styles, all should make regular progress.
While we have high expectations for all students and encourage each student to work to their capacity, parents and teachers recognize that some students have more difficulty in school. Others will progress more rapidly and move well beyond these core expectations. It is the joint responsibility of school and home to provide support, challenge, and encouragement for all students.
Art
The Elementary Art Program provides a foundation in which students develop the capacity to create, respond and communicate through the language of Visual Art. Our curriculum gives students the opportunity to develop skills using a variety of media as well as enhance learning through the integration of Art with other subject areas such as Science, Math, Language Arts, History and Music. Students are encouraged to explore and express their ideas in an environment that nurtures imaginative thinkers and inventive problem solvers.
The Elementary Art Program is aligned to the principles and guidelines of the Massachusetts Visual Arts Standards and National Visual Arts Standards. It is part of a comprehensive K-12 Visual Art Program which focuses on the instruction of the elements and principles of art in a sequential and spiraling curriculum. Our program is designed for students to explore various facets of art such as two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, art history, multi-cultural and literacy connections, as well as a variety of ways to make art. Additionally, throughout the curriculum, students learn how to talk about art and how to evaluate what they see. Key areas of focus include critical thinking, problem-solving skills, imagination and inventive solutions.
It is important to note that Art enhances the academic, social, emotional and creative growth of each student.
English Language Arts
Students will
recognize and name all upper and lower case letters of the alphabet.
demonstrate one to one letter-sound correspondences for each consonant.
associate the short sounds and introduce the long vowel sounds with common spellings for the five major vowels.
count, pronounce, blend, and segment syllables and sounds in spoken words.
add or substitute individual sounds in simple words to make new words.
identify and rhyme words.
read common high frequency words by sight.
identify concepts of print; words are separated by spaces, left to right, top to bottom progression of sentences.
describe relationship between the illustrations and the print.
read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
ask and answer questions about key details in a story.
retell stories; including characters, setting, and major events.
draw, dictate, and write using inventive spelling and sight words to express an opinion in their writing journal.
draw, dictate, or write information about a topic in their journal.
print many upper- and lowercase letters.
capitalize first word in a sentence, leave spaces between words and use end punctuation.
spell simple words phonetically.
participate in conversations with teacher and peers in small and large groups about kindergarten topics and texts.
ask and answer questions in order to get information, seek help, or clarify something that is not understood.
describe familiar people, places, things, and events.
Mathematics
Students will
count to 100 by ones and tens.
count forward given any number in a set.
write numbers from 0-20.
count objects demonstrating one to one correspondence between object and number.
identify the last number counted in a set represents the total.
count to answer “how many?” 0-20.
compare number of objects between two groups (0-10); greater than, less than or equal to.
compare two numbers in a set- 1-10.
represent with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings, sounds that addition is putting together and adding to and subtraction is taking apart and taking from.
fluently add and subtract within 5.
solve addition and subtraction word problems within 10- using objects or drawings.
identify number families (5=2+3, 5=3+2, 5=1+4, 5=4+1, etc.) with numbers 1-10.
for any number 1-9, add to make 10, i.e. 2+8, 6+4, etc.
understand that number 11-19 are composed of a group of ten and some ones.
describe length and weight of objects.
compare measurable attributes of objects to find out more/less, taller, shorter, etc.
sort objects by common attribute- count and compare.
identify two dimensional and three dimensional shapes.
describe relative positions of objects (above, below, behind, beside, next to, in front of).
create and compose shapes.
WPS Elementary Family Math Resources
Bridges Family Support
Math at Home
Music
Students identify music in their world, and their ability to create, perform, and respond as musicians. Students develop awareness of basic elements of music and identify those elements through singing, playing, and moving.
Students will
sing short musical ideas.
respond to music with a steady beat.
perform using the correct voice (Sing/Speak/Whisper/Shout).
describe music using grade level vocabulary.
follow simple rhythmic patterns.
perform different musical element opposites (fast/slow, soft/loud, high/low).
Physical Education
Students will
identify and comply with safety rules and procedures.
demonstrate fundamental movement patterns and proficiency in a few specialized movement forms.
develop tracking skills through manipulative exploration.
apply movement concepts and principles to the learning and development of motor skills.
understand the benefits from being involved in physical activity and participates in exercises that affect personal performance.
Science and Technology/Engineering
Students will answer these questions:
What do plants and animals need to grow?
What are the stages of plant/animal lives?
How do plants/animals resemble their parents?
How do people and animals use their senses?
What seasonal changes can you observe?
What do animals/humans need in order to live?
How do we classify objects/plants/ animals?
What patterns does the weather follow?
How does air move materials?
What tools are used for different jobs?
Social Studies
Students will answer the questions:
What is a map, what is a globe?
What does it mean to be a responsible citizen?
Why do people need to work?
Why do we celebrate national holidays
What is your address, school, country?
Who is in your family?
What is in your neighborhood?
Who keeps you safe in Walpole?
What are national symbols, songs, pledges?
Contacts
Brendan Dearborn, Boyden School Principal
Carrie Ruggiero, Elm Street School Principal
Brian Bemiss, Fisher School Principal
David Barner, Old Post Road School Principal