KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM
Mrs. Daignault, Mrs. Huber, Mrs. Rosso, Mrs. Smith
Reading - Reader's Workshop
At the kindergarten level, the overall objectives of the Language Arts and Reading Program are to strengthen the child's understanding and skills in the use of our language. These objectives are met through the use of our language and multi-sensory, multi-model experiences. The goals of the kindergarten language arts curriculum is to give students the opportunity to:
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Read, write, speak, listen, and view to construct meaning of written, visual and oral texts
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Read with understanding and respond thoughtfully to a variety of texts
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Write and speak English proficiently to communicate ideas clearly
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Create works using the language arts in visual, oral, and written texts
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Choose and apply strategies that enhance the fluent and proficient use of language arts
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Understand and appreciate texts from many literary periods and cultures
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Employ the language arts for lifelong learning, work, and enjoyment
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Independent reading, building stamina over time
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Partnership reading - building stamina over time
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Student/Teacher conferences allowing opportunities for students to gain new strategies
Written Language Development
Written language development follows five predictable stages. These are the stages children pass through as they develop their writing ability. Stage 1 is scribbling, Stage 2 is linear drawings, Stage 3 is letter-like formations, Stage 4 is letter and early word symbol relationships, and Stage 5 is inventive spelling/standard spelling. Our aim for each student is to gain confidence and pleasure in writing. With these stages in mind, children will have the opportunity to develop their skills in the following areas:
Independent Writing
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Independently "write" emergently, not necessarily in the conventional sense, to express own meaning. (e.g., uses pictures, scribbles, letters in writing, represents some sounds correctly, uses left-to-right progression in writing).
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Writes daily to build stamina
- Write (using approximate spelling) a sentence(s) related to an idea or an illustration
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Leaves spaces between words
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Uses drawings to represent the beginning, middle, and end of a story
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Punctuation and capitalization
Kindergarten students will also have exposure to the following types of writing through Writer's Workshop:
Kindergarten Writing Calendar
| September |
Launching Writing Workshop |
| October |
Personal Narrative |
| November |
Small Moments |
| December |
Writing for Readers |
| January |
Writing for Many Purposes (letters) |
| February |
How to Texts or Author Your Own Unit of Study: Literary Non-Fiction; Rewriting Our Versions of Fairy Tales; Letters; Songs; and Scripts |
| March |
All About Texts |
| April |
Poetry |
| May |
Revision /Authors as Mentors |
| June |
Independent Projects |
Producing and Responding to Literature - Orally and visually and/or in writing be able to re-enact, retell, and/or create own stories, poems, plays, and songs.
Mathematics
The Kindergarten mathematics program is an activity oriented method of learning which offers children stimulating and developmentally sound mathematical experiences. The mathematics program places its major focus on using manipulative materials and a hands-on approach to accomplish objectives.
Growing with Math
A standards-based math program that exposes the Kindergartners to the following topics:
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Getting Started
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Counting to Ten
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Space, 3-D Shapes, and Patterns
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Exploring Numbers 0-9
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Introducing Measurements
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Comparing, Ordering, and Joining Numbers
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Exploring 2-D Shapes and Patterns
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Grouping and Separating Numbers
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Exploring Numbers 11-15
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Measurement
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Exploring Numbers 0-20
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Equal Groups, Sharing, & Fractions
Science
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Journal writing to illustrate thought processes in science.
The kindergarten science program is a developmentally appropriate, inquiry based program. Students use hands-on materials to classify objects, coordinate relationships and learn to think quantitatively. The content topics include:
In keeping with Norwalk's overall philosophy of science education, the elementary school science curriculum is a hands-on, inquiry-centered program fostering science literacy through investigations, exploration, questioning, critical thinking, creativity, and the integration of reading, writing, graphing, and research. Elementary school students enjoy 'doing' for they are naturally curious and display great interest in the exploration of natural phenomena and human invention.
The elementary school science curriculum focuses on the development of scientific literacy in all students in Grades K-5. This focus has receiving increased attention in Norwalk over the years and is supported by the release, in 2004, on Connecticut's Science Education Framework. This approach to science education is reinforced by the assessment requirements of the No Child Left Behind legislation. The Connecticut Science Education Framework fosters scientific literacy and translates it into specific Content Standards and Performance and Assessment Expectations. These will be assessed in grades 5 and 8 in the academic school year of 2007-2008 on the Connecticut Mastery Test.
Social Studies
The social studies program helps children explore their world. The content topics include:
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History: Important People
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Civics: School Communities
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Social Sciences: Me and My Family
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Economics: Transportation
- Economics: Working Communities
During appropriate times of the year additional enrichment activities are incorporated into the curriculum with an emphasis on multicultural awareness.
Values
Students will recognize the importance of values through peer interactions.