Language Arts

The Kindergarten language arts curriculum focuses on the fundamentals of literacy development. Students will have daily reading and writing experiences that foster development in letter recognition, letter sounds, letter formation, sight words, and emergent spelling and grammar knowledge. Phonemic awareness is an important part of the curriculum.  Both in groups and independently, children are actively involved in working with letters, words, and sentences in a variety of ways. Students engage in literature each day by listening, reading, and responding. They learn about authors and illustrators as they are exposed to a variety of literary texts and genres. Kindergarten science and social studies concepts are introduced and supported using fiction and non-fiction books selections connecting students learning through the day. Kindergarteners apply D’Nealian handwriting, sentence structure, and story writing elements through the creation of their own stories, poems, captions, and personal letters.

Math

The Kindergarten Math curriculum takes an integrated approach, utilizing games, manipulatives, and activities to create meaningful connections with mathematics and other aspects of the curriculum.  Number sense, an important base for mathematical understanding, is emphasized. Complex number patterns, geometry, graphing and data analysis, measurement, problem solving, and computation are part of the kindergarten year. Students are given opportunities to explore ideas, work cooperatively, play games, and use the computer to reinforce and expand understanding.

Social Studies

The Kindergarten social studies curriculum begins with a focus of urban communities, community helpers and safety.   These topics provide avenues to explore various aspects of a community as well as the professionals that work within it helping keep citizens healthy and safe. Second trimester, social studies topics encompass various forms of transportation. Kindergartners will discover information about typical and unusual modes of travel as well the use of maps. Rural communities will round out the social studies curriculum during the third trimester. Farm life, including animals and crops, will be investigated. Field experiences, community service projects, and guest speakers enhance the social studies curriculum.

Science

The Kindergarten science curriculum is closely related to the social studies curriculum and works in tandem to provide a well-balanced learning experience for students. Students learn about the human body as the major body systems are introduced first trimester. Healthy choices, hygiene, nutrition, and food groups, are explored.  The study of force and motion allows students to utilize the scientific process and hands-on learning to put physical scientific concepts to the test. Alongside rural communities, life cycles are the science focus third trimester. Students will be able to group living things, compare life cycles of various animals, and gain understanding of the needs of plants and animals.

Technology

Kindergarten students access computers for a wide variety of activities that support classroom learning in all curriculum areas. The students access the Internet under teacher supervision to participate in age-appropriate activities and games. Keyboarding and word processing documents are introduced.