The foundation for literacy will be laid in kindergarten as our students are given the opportunity to:
1. Develop the skills and strategies that are essential to reading.
* use pictures to predict "what happens next" in a story
* rhyme and play with words
* recognize the consonant sounds
* hear sound sequences in words
* use some letter sound links
* recognize words in different contexts
* use simple plural forms
* recognize labels and captions in the classroom
* read and follows directions and symbols
* read top to bottom, left to right, and front to back
2. Understand word meaning
.* recognize own name in print
* listen and responds to literature
* connect characters with actions
* retell simple text in sequence
* name all letters of the alphabet - both capital and lower case
3. Read different materials for a variety of purposes.
* explore new books, both fiction and non-fiction
* participate in reading of pattern books, poems, songs and
familiar books
4. Become confident as a reader.
* pretend to read
* demonstrate an enjoyment of literature
* reread for practice
Parents as Partners in Reading
- Read to your child every day.
- Talk about the details in stories and pictures.
- Encourage your child to retell stories and predict what might happen next.
- Play word and letter games.
- Visit your local library.
- Read and recite nursery rhymes, songs, and simple poems together.
- Keep reading materials in easy reach and encourage them to explore books that are fiction and non-fiction.
Writing in Kindergarten
MANUSCRIPT
In kindergarten we encourage the child to hold the pencil correctly, write letters and numbers from top to bottom, and correctly place their name on a line using a capital first letter and lower case for the rest of the name. Forms of writing that students may bring home include: dictation, rhyming, drawings with labels, poetry, and pictures in sequence. They may draw stories, use rebus writing, and group writing.
The "writing process" begins in kindergarten as students practice the steps and skills necessary to become a writer.
Students may participate in the writing process by drawing stories, rebus writing (words plus pictures = story), and group writing. They may dictate their story to an adult, make lists, and talk about story elements (character, setting, and sequence.)
PARENTS AS PARTNERS IN WRITING
Provide writing materials of all kinds: colors, pens, pencils, markers. Encourage their creativity as they experiment with the written word. Listen as they "read" their stories. Griping the pencil correctly makes writing easier. Check with your child’s teacher to find out how to correctly hold a pencil.
Mathematics in Kindergarten
Kindergarten students begin a real world connection as they explore the world of mathematics. They will work on:
* sorting, classifying, and graphing
* completing patterning activities
* being able to recognize and write numbers from 0 to 10 and be introduced to numbers 0 - 20
* having experiences in estimation, graphing and measurement
* completing readiness activities for addition and subtraction with an understanding of how many are left and how many are there altogether?
* understanding concepts of measurement like short and tall
* understanding more and less
* identifying and naming simple geometric shapes
* recognizing math in their everyday life
* counting to 50
* understanding money values (penny, nickel, dime)
* participating in "hands - on" math activities
PARENTS AS PARTNERS IN MATH
Foundations for Learning
in
Kindergarten
Eatonville School District
2005-06