(Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, and Language Arts)

Developing literacy is a complex, lifelong process. The Greendale Schools has adopted a “balanced literacy” approach to instruction. This model for instruction includes large group instruction, small group instruction, and individualized instruction when necessary. Children will be engaged in literacy activities at least 2 hours every day.

Large Group Instruction
Kindergarteners will participate in large group read aloud and think aloud activities during which time the teacher will share a selected text and model a variety of reading strategies and comprehension strategies. These strategies will include phonics, predicting, summarizing, sequencing, noting details, and drawing conclusions.

Small Group Instruction
Each week, students will receive approximately 2 – 4 small group instruction sessions. During this time, students with similar reading needs will receive direct instruction in phonics and/ or reading strategies such as predicting, summarizing, sequencing, noting details, and drawing conclusions. This small group work may be referred to as “Guided Reading.” While small groups are working with a teacher, other students will be engaged in independent literacy activities known as centers. Some students may receive one-on-one instruction to support additional needs that cannot be met within the small group. All students will have opportunities to independently rehearse new skills through reader’s workshop.

The writing program includes direct instruction on letter formation using Handwriting Without Tears and also builds on what each child already knows. Children begin by drawing pictures. The picture is accompanied by written text. This text may begin with scribbles, and proceeds to pretend letters, real letters, copied words, phonetically spelled words (“Kid-spelling”), phrases, and sentences. Children will be encouraged and applauded for all attempts and accomplishments in writing.

The primary goal of the literacy program is to help children develop a variety of strategies and the confidence needed to become independent readers and writers.

To become a reader, Kindergarten students will:

• Recognize and identify letters and sounds (upper and lower case).
• Demonstrate an understanding of Concepts about Print including: pointing to words while reading, how to hold a book, direction of reading (top to bottom, left to right), punctuation, and spacing.
• Retell a story (sequence events and identify characters, setting, problem, and solution of a story).
• Use word solving strategies to figure out words.
• Identify words that rhyme and words that begin with the same sounds.
• Answer comprehension questions (who, what, when, where, why, how, and what do you think?)
• Make predictions about a story.
• Make connections between a story and personal experience, other stories, and the world.
  

To become a writer, Kindergarten students will:

• Form letters appropriately (top to bottom).
• Write name using upper and lowercase letters (e.g. S t e p h e n, as opposed to S T E P H E N)
• Use appropriate pencil grasp.
• Develop “kid-writing” and sound blending to write words, ideas and sentences.
• Recognize and use high frequency words (word wall words) in everyday writing.
• Use finger spaces between words.
• Use ending punctuation when writing telling and asking sentences.
• Retell experience in a daily writing journal (using pictures and words).
• Label pictures.
• Recognize that writing is important for communicating and sharing ideas.
• Copy words and sentences from a list.
• Write for different purposes.
• Participate in shared writing experiences.
• Read own writing.
  

Kindergarteners will also be able to:

• Speak clearly and in complete sentences.
• Follow the rules of normal conversation.
• Use appropriate volume and tone of voice.
• Participate in songs, rhymes, finger play, and repetitive stories.
• Present and share information and experiences in front of a group.
• Use increasingly complex vocabulary and language structure to express needs and feelings, share ideas and experiences, and make comparisons of objects, pictures, and events.
• Understand the difference between a question and a comment.
• Use listening behaviors and manners.
• Understand verbal and nonverbal cues.
• Attend to and understand conversations, stories, and poems.
• Follow multi-step directions.
  

To support instruction and the development of these skills, the Greendale Schools have a large library of leveled books. These books are part of the Scholastic Guided Reading Program.

Jolly Phonics provides resources for developing a sense of letters and sounds.

Parents can access a library of literature options for reading and sharing at home at:
http://bookwizard.scholastic.com
and
http://www.lapl.org/kidspath

Students will check out books from the school library weekly, and you may also search books in the school library by following the link from:
http://www.greendale.k12.wi.us/GHS/schools/ghs/Library/library.html

At home, students may also enjoy phonics activities at www.starfall.com
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Science is an active experience, made active by our ability to think. Scientific knowledge advances when scientists observe objects and events, think about how they relate to what is known, test their ideas in logical ways, and generate explanations that integrate the new information into the established order. Thus the scientific experience is both what we know (content) and how we come to know it (process). The best way for students to appreciate the science, learn important scientific concepts, and develop the ability to think critically is to actively construct ideas through their own inquiries, investigations, and analyses. As kindergarteners, students will use scientific strategies to make sense of the world around them. Teachers will use materials from FOSS Science kits and Delta Science Modules as approved by the Greendale Schools.

Kindergarten students will:

• Investigate the world around them and objects using the 5 senses
• Understand plant life through exploring properties of Trees
• Classify objects using their Properties
• Explore weather using Sunshine & Shadows
• Understand how to be Healthy Me!

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(Computers)

In today’s society, technology literacy is as important as learning to read. It provides access to information and the world. Kindergarteners will have access to computers regularly. Students will learn to create digital content using the program KidPix. This program allows students to draw and type. Other software will be explored during projects throughout the year.

Kindergarten students will:

• Know basic computer terminology and identify functions of a computer
• Use the keyboard and mouse to log in and navigate on the computer
• Open and run a software program
• Create a file
• Save & retrieve an electronic file
  

Teachers will use lessons and instructional resources from the CyberSMART curriculum at www.cybersmart.org as an integrated component of other content areas.

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While kindergarten students spend time in art activities regularly, students will participate in an art class once per week for 50 minutes. Through this class, students will explore different media such as ceramics, drawing, painting, and crafts and develop an understanding of design including shape, line, texture, pattern, and color. Back to Top

Three days per week, students will participate in a physical education class for 25 minutes. Physical activity is a key component to having a healthy mind and body. Kindergarteners are developing both large motor and fine motor skills. Through physical education classes, students will:

• Develop hand/eye coordination.
• Understand how movement helps our bodies.
• Develop skills for jumping and running.
• Take turns and be respectful of others during games and activities.

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Parents are their child’s best first teacher. Parents can continue to support learning at home by:

• Helping children practice printing first name using lower case letters. (e.g. “M a g g i e” rather than “M A G G I E”)
• Working on shoe tying, coat zipping, and/ or buttoning.
• Learning address, phone number, and birth date.
• Counting like crazy!
• Doing art projects that involve cutting and gluing.
• Pointing out words and text in the world and reading with your child daily.
• Build your child’s vocabulary and background knowledge by providing a variety of rich experiences. These experiences don’t have to cost money; they just have to involve exploring the world. This will have a significant impact on early literacy skills.
  

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