Kindergarten Curriculum Summary

English Language Arts Curriculum

All areas of the curriculum are developed and implemented in accordance with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Family-friendly frameworks are available HERE.

Readers Workshop is the cornerstone of our ELA program. Students apply purposeful, sequential reading skills and strategies, explore themes, and develop critical thinking skills. Teachers provide opportunities to read in the whole class, small group and individual settings. This supports vocabulary development, reading growth, and also provides many opportunities for students to engage in meaningful literacy dialogue. Students read a variety of genres and use texts as mentors for research and writing.

We use The Empowering Writers Program for writing instruction in the genres of narrative, expository and opinion writing. Through a spiraling of instruction, students build on their previous knowledge of the narrative writing diamond and the expository pillar to produce well developed narratives and expository essays in accordance with the common core state standards. This program highlights the reciprocal relationship between reading and writing. Teachers use the Empowering Writers summarizing frameworks to strengthen both reading and writing instruction.

Fundations is a multisensory and systematic phonic program in place from K-3.  Students learn the sound symbol relationships and apply them to reading and spelling. Heggerty is a phonemic awareness program for students in grades Kindergarten and Grade 1.  

Mathematics

Bridges Math Program

Science

The Scott Foresman Science program introduces scientific methods and process skills for science inquiry, even at the kindergarten level. Hands-on learning experiences in life science, earth science, physical science, and space and technology are provided. The children have opportunities to make hypotheses, collect and record data, and draw conclusions. Reading and math literacy skills are integrated in the science curriculum. Children also have the opportunity to explore our own Osgood Nature Trail.

Technology

Students visit the computer lab each week, where activities afford the students opportunities to develop early computer skills as well as literacy skills. Students create graphics and use software that personalize and support their learning. Supervised Internet access is also a part of the technology program along with Promethean Board activities. The Promethean Board is an interactive white board that is a highly motivational tool for learning. It enhances instruction and allows teachers and children to manipulate information and images directly on an electromagnetic board or with an electronic pen. CLICK HERE for more details

Library/Information Literacy

A weekly library program offers initial exposure to library materials, authors, and resources, as well as lessons from classic and contemporary age-appropriate literature. Children begin to learn how to locate resources in a library.

Social Studies

The Scott Foresman Social Studies program is designed to extend the reading curriculum. Reading instruction and content are combined in units of study that include the story of our nation, families and cultures, and the world. Unit topics include Who We Are, Communities, Work, Our Earth, and The U.S.A. Teachers provide opportunities for students to make connections between social studies and other areas of the curriculum.

Music

Students perform, create, and respond to music through singing, reading and notation, playing instruments, and improvisation. Students enjoy preparing for holiday and end-of-year performances for parents.

Art

Shape, color, line, space, texture, value, and form are incorporated into the classroom art program. Students engage in projects connected to classroom themes and curriculum topics. Art lessons may incorporate reading vocabulary and literature to support students’ literacy experiences.

Physical Education

A developmental approach incorporates age-appropriate skills and knowledge in the areas of games, dance, gymnastics, and health-related fitness. Some activities are provided to support curriculum themes through creative movement. An equal emphasis is placed on each child’s personal and social development.