Kindergarten Curriculum

Mathematics

The students will gain mathematical knowledge and become strong mathematical thinkers with varied and rich, hands-on applications to real-world problems.  Specific kindergarten goals will be met in each of the mathematical content strands of Number and Numeration (such as counting by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s; estimating; representing and comparing numbers; reading and writing numbers…all areas with numbers from 1 to 100), Operations and Computation (such as basic addition and subtraction), Data and Chance (such as collecting and organizing data; creating and analyzing tally charts, tables, and bar graphs; exploring basic probability concepts), Measurement and Reference Frames (such as using nonstandard tools to estimate and compare weight and length; identifying pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar bills; exploring temperature and thermometers; using calendars and other tools to track or measure time), Geometry (such as exploring 2- and 3-dimensional shapes and line symmetry), and Patterns, Functions, and Algebra (such as exploring visual, rhythmic, and movement patterning; using rules to sort by attributes; make and extend patterns, play mathematical games; learning about the +, -, and = symbols).  Children’s literature is used regularly in correlation with specific math lessons.  Mathematics is also used consistently throughout many of our kindergarten thematic units, along with several fun and engaging mathematical games.  The Everyday Mathematics curriculum is the core mathematics curriculum utilized, in addition to other supplemental resources.

Literacy (Reading, Language, Writing)

The students will develop the skills to become successful readers and to love reading.  The students will be immersed in a literacy-rich environment throughout the day and across the curriculum.  The five areas of reading instruction, as described by the National Reading Panel Report, will be the focus—Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Text Comprehension.  A large variety of quality children’s literature will be utilized each day throughout the curriculum and thematic units. The Abeka Book reading program is part of our curriculum, in addition to various supplemental resources, such as the Four Block Reading Model by Hall and Cunningham, Scholastic News magazines, the Four Square Writing Model by Judith and Jay Gould, Writers’ Workshop, and the use of computer technology.

Social Studies

The students will develop an understanding of self, family, and community.  Students will learn the beginnings of American history, including important historical people that have paved the way throughout the beginning of America (“America, Our Great Country”).  Citizenship is a strong focus of this study.  Also studied will be people and customs from around the world and how they are similar and different from America (“Children of the World”).  Students will learn how to use a map and a globe.  They will learn the directions, the seven continents, and the oceans. The Abeka Social Studies Curriculum is utilized and the countries introduced are: Mexico, Peru, England, The Netherlands, Italy, Israel, Kenya, China, Japan, and Australia.  Several thematic units are also utilized throughout the year in relation to important holidays, etc.

Science

The students will learn about “God’s World”…basic life science, earth science, and physical science through hands-on experiments and discovery learning centers.  The students will learn how to utilize the scientific method throughout this process of discovery.  Thematic units will be used throughout the year that will focus on such things as personal body awareness and health, plant and animal life cycles, living and non-living things, weather, seasons, etc.  In addition to the many thematic units, Abeka Science is also utilized…Abeka’s goal is ‘to stimulate young children’s interest in the world that God had made for them.  They will see that God has a plan for each part of His creation and that He not only made each living thing, but He also cares for it.’

Bible

The students will have a daily Bible lesson based on the Biblical Choices for a New Generation curriculum by Standard Publishing.  This is a “through-the-bible” curriculum which includes a comprehensive scope and sequence from grades kindergarten through sixth grades.  The focus of the kindergarten curriculum is titled “The God of Creation” and the quarter units are as follows:

Quarter 1…God Created the Perfect World

Quarter 2…Choices in the Family

Quarter 3…God Becomes the Perfect Person

Quarter 4…Jesus is Our Example

Other areas of the kindergarten curriculum include:

Character Eduction

Computer Lab

Music

Physical Education

Spanish