Apply Concepts about Print
- Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print by following words-left to right, top to bottom, page by page.
- Understand that spoken words are printed in written language.
- Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
- Recognize and name all upper and lowercase letters of the alphabet.
Demonstrate Phonological Awareness (the ability to manipulate sounds orally)
- Recognize and produce rhymes.
- Understand words are made of syllables that can be put together and taken apart.
- Blend and segment onsets and rimes (/b/-/at/ says “bat”).
- Identify beginning, middle, and ending sounds.
- Substitute beginning, middle, and ending sounds to make new words (cat, cap).
Apply Phonics and Word Recognition Skills
- Produce the correct sound for each letter including short and long vowel sounds.
- Read kindergarten sight words automatically.
- Distinguish between similarly spelled words (map/mop, hat/ ham, tim/tip).
Read with Fluency
- Read familiar and emergent texts with purpose and understanding.
Identify Key Ideas and Details
- Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding in fiction and nonfiction texts.
- Identify main idea and retell familiar stories with key details.
- Identify character, setting, and major events in stories.
- Describe connection between two individuals, events, or ideas in informational texts.
Understand the Structure of Texts
- Ask and answer questions about unknown words.
- Recognize common types of texts (storybooks, poems, etc.)
- Identify author and illustrator and define their roles.
- Identify parts of a book (cover, title page).
Integrate Knowledge and Ideas Within and Across Texts
- Recognize that illustrations complement and add to the meaning of text.
- Compare/contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in familiar stories.
- Identify reason an author gives to support points in an informational text.
- Identify the similarities and differences between two informational texts on the same topic.
Read and Comprehend a Range of Texts with Appropriate Grade Level Complexity
- Engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding
Language
Demonstrate Command of Conventions of Standard English
- Print uppercase and lowercase letters.
- Use frequently occurring nouns and verbs.
- Form plural nouns.
- Understand and use question words.
- Use common prepositions (from, in, out, on, off).
- Speak in complete sentences.
- Capitalize the beginning of sentences and the pronoun “I”.
- Recognize and name end punctuation.
- Spell simple words phonetically with a beginning, middle, and end (i.e., mtn=mitten).
Understand and Use Grade Appropriate Vocabulary
- Use the context of a story to identify the meaning of words.
- Use the knowledge of prefixes and suffixes to understand the meaning of a word.
- Sort common objects into categories.
- Understand word opposites.
- Identify real life connections between words and their use.
- Act out similar verbs (walk, strut, march).
- Utilize acquired vocabulary from reading and conversation.
Writing
Teachers use the Writers’ Workshop model to plan the following narrative, information, and opinion writing units:
Narrative: Launching the Writing Workshop and Writing for Readers
Information: How-To Books Opinion Writing: Persuasive Writing of All Kinds
Each writing block includes a short mini-lesson focusing on the writing process, writing conventions, and/or craft. Students then work on assigned or self-selected writing pieces as teachers confer with students either individually or in small groups. The workshop lesson closes with sharing time during which students celebrate and reflect on their writing and the writing process.
Handwriting
Teachers use Fundations to teach the following skills:
- Correct posture, paper position, and pencil grip.
- Engage in a variety of fine motor activities using pencils, markers, crayons, playdough, and scissors.
- Write the upper- and lower-case manuscript alphabet with proper letter formation.
- Write name using upper- and lower-case letters.
Keyboarding
Keyboarding in grades PreK-1 focuses on keyboarding awareness skills such as left and right hand keys, and the location of alphabetic keys as well as the operation of the space bar, enter, and backspace keys. Proper technique and posture are emphasized at all grade levels.
Speaking And Listening
Participate in Collaborative Conversations with Understanding about Kindergarten Topics and Texts
- Follow rules for discussion.
- Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges.
- Confirm understanding through questioning and request clarification if needed.
Present Knowledge and Ideas Clearly
- Describe familiar people, places, things, and events to provide additional detail.
- Add drawings to provide additional detail.
- Speak audibly and clearly
