Kindergarten

Kindergarten students develop their ability to listen for content and to predict possible story outcomes. Students become more involved in the process of writing and develop a conceptual understanding of print as “talk written down.” Expressive language is emphasized, as students convey feelings, ideas, fantasies, and observations verbally and in drawing and writing. There is an increasing emphasis throughout the year on expressing ideas with text, which includes phonetic spellings and learned words. Handwriting strokes and writing conventions are taught concurrently throughout the year.

Mathematics

Kindergarten students continue to build on their foundation of mathematical knowledge by working with physical objects: sorting and classifying attributes, identifying and extending patterns, and exploring shapes. Hands-on activities that include estimating, counting, and comparing support their development of number sense. Number relationships are further investigated when students collect and record data in picture and bar graphs and in the use of tally marks. Students explore numerical operations by using manipulative materials like beans, cubes or chips, and by solving problems that relate to real-life experiences. Engaging in discussions about calendar math provides an opportunity for students to learn about the passage of time by focusing on the cycle of days, months, and seasons. Students participate in meaningful games and activities that are integrated with other areas of the curriculum to build on their understanding of nonstandard units of measurement—including measures of time, temperature, and size.

Science

Kindergarten science focuses on students using their senses to make observations about the world around them. As part of a structures unit, students explore wood. During this unit, students learn to observe, describe, compare, and change different wood samples. Students continue to use these skills throughout other science topics during the year. Past topics have included tree studies, magnet studies, and water studies.

Social Studies

As in pre-kindergarten, students in kindergarten continue to focus on their sense of identity as it relates to their family and their classroom, expanding to the school community and the idea of community responsibility more generally, with global parallels explored along the way. Through active participation, students are encouraged to develop responsibility and to make independent decisions while gaining an appreciation for the ways in which others contribute to classroom and school life. Conflict resolution skills are modeled, and students begin to assume independent responsibility for them. Students strengthen collaborative skills through work and play as partners, in small groups, and with their entire class. Stewardship and service learning play a formative role in this process. Students also continue to develop an appreciation for diversity among individuals and cultures. By engaging in the study of assigned topics, students develop observational skills and broaden their view of the world around them. The introduction of research skills en-

Spanish

Kindergarten students learn to follow oral directions in Spanish and to ask and answer simple questions. They interact with their teacher and peers using basic greetings, farewells, and expressions of courtesy. Other specific language objectives include learning to count from 1 to 20, and learning the names of colors, days of the week, body parts, and animals. Students also learn songs (for both language and culture learning), games, Spanish stories and tales, and develop a beginning appreciation for different Hispanic foods, celebrations, and holidays.

Computer Science

Students at this level are introduced to basic computer hardware and software terminology that is relevant to their work. Kindergarten students are introduced to programming using physical robots (Beebots and Roamer) and transition their programming skills using a graphical Logo programming environment. We emphasize at this early age the importance of planning and thinking about a program before attempting to execute it. Class discussions involve robots, how they are different from humans, and how they can be helpful to society. Math applications are also used, reinforcing concepts taught in the homebase classroom.

Performing Arts

Kindergarten students participate in activities with increasing attention to accuracy; where any thoughtful response might have been encouraged in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten students are guided toward an accurate musical response to help them develop a vocabulary of musical sounds and movements. Throughout the year students focus on patterns, rhymes, tempo and dynamics. Students continue to work with percussion instruments (pitched and unpitched), and begin to distinguish characteristics (e.g. ascending vs. descending) of melodic phrases.

Physical Education

Kindergarten students develop an understanding of the physical environment in which they move. Locomotion and nonlocomotor movements, in self-space and general space, allow children an opportunity to develop and explore their individual skills in a safe physical environment.

Visual Arts

Students in kindergarten develop basic skills of drawing, cutting, and use of attachment methods, while still focusing on self-expression and personal exploration in a process-centered environment. As concepts and new materials are introduced— including the elements of design, line, shape, color, texture, and pattern, which are revisited throughout the year—projects continue to be open-ended and process- rather than product- driven. Students explore both two- and three-dimensional materials. Units are coordinated with, and integrated into, the homebase classroom curriculum.