What your child will learn in Kindergarten

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| Math | Reading | Science | Social Studies back | Physical Education | Music | Art | Talented and Gifted Program

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Kindergarten Mathematics Concepts

Vocabulary

Numerical Fluency

Problem Solving

What your child will learn

• Use numbers to describe how many are in a set • Extend and create patterns • Identify shapes • Sort objects • Explore measuring length, area, capacity, and weight • Construct and use graphs • Explore fractions

• Learn mathematical words from experiences and explorations of manipulatives • Learn new mathematical terms associated with concepts being taught • Use a beginner’s dictionary of mathematical terms • Relate informal language to mathematical language and symbols

• Use one-to-one correspondence • Count concrete objects • Recognize a quantity in a set • Recognize the numerical value of a set • Illustrate addition and subtraction stories with the use of concrete objects • Count from 0 to 20

• Use the Dallas Problem-Solving Model (See, Plan, Do, Reflect) with guidance • Identify mathematics in everyday situations • Use logical reasoning • Investigate and solve real-world problems • Apply basic problem-solving strategies that can be applied in various contexts

What your child will do

• Apply concepts to mathematical situations • Use manipulatives to explore concepts and develop in-depth understanding • Draw pictures to illustrate concepts • Draw and construct two- and threedimensional shapes • Use non-standard units to explore different measurement concepts • Collect, organize, and display data

• Complete graphic organizers that illustrate mathematical terms • Engage in discussions that explore concepts with a partner, small groups, and whole group • Maintain a journal of personal reflections • Create a math glossary

• Use concrete objects to solve addition and subtraction problems • Use a 100’s grid to develop number pattern • Practice one-more and one-less situations on the number line • Play games that require instant recall of basic facts

• Apply listening skills to facilitate the use of strategies in problem-solving • Tell original story problems • Work to solve problems individually, in pairs, and in groups • Explain and justify the thinking process used to solve problems orally • Use mathematical tools

What you’ll see (products)

• Projects that require the use of concepts • Concept maps that show the relationships between and among concepts • Use of manipulatives to develop concepts

• Your child using academic math terminology • Graphic organizers with key mathematical concepts • Math glossary

• Ability to tell what number comes next up to 99 • Demonstration of the ability to recall facts • Creation of a number pattern, such as skip counting

• Pictorial explanations of solutions • Application of problem-solving strategies to real-life concerns

How you can help

• Ask your child to explain what was learned in math today • Help your child see the mathematical concepts related to real life • Cook with your child and allow them to measure ingredients • Estimate and figure out the amount of time required to complete an activity • Have your child organize the pantry by size and shape • Have your child create a pattern using different household items

• Encourage the use of academic terms • Talk about math and how it is used everyday • Allow your child to explain his or her homework to you • Have your child identify geometric shapes in household objects • Point out the math in games, sports, music, banking, schedules, shopping, etc.

• Make addition and subtraction flashcards and practice instant fact recall • Assist your child to find websites on the Internet that provide basic facts and practice through games

• Read a variety of materials to your child and ask him or her questions pertaining to the content • Ask your child his or her opinion when making personal and family decisions • Play board games with your child that require making choices

Kindergarten Reading Reading Comprehension

Reading Fluency

Vocabulary

Writing

What your child will learn

• Name the parts of a book (cover, title, author, table of contents) • Put the important events of a story in order • Tell about story characters and settings • Tell the difference between real and not real

• Know that print moves left-toright and top-to-bottom • Learn alphabet and letter sounds • Learn beginning and ending sounds • Sound out one syllable words (such as dog, pig) • Learn high frequency words (is, a, and) • Read words in word families (hat, cat, sat)

• Learn meanings of words heard and spoken • Learn the meaning of new words (colors, numbers, calendar) • Learn words that name persons, places, things, and actions

• Form capital and small letters • Tell news and stories for others to write • Write first and last name • Begin to space letters and words in writing messages • Write short sentences

What your child will do

• Express ideas about stories (talk/ movement/music/projects/acting out) • Arrange story pictures in order • Retell stories • Tell what a picture or a story is mostly about

• Tell the beginning and ending sounds of words • Blend letter sounds into a one syllable word • Read poems and 3 to 5 word short sentences • Find and make rhyming words

• Discuss the meaning of words in stories • Use new words in talk/projects/ movement/songs/acting • Recite poems and stories • Listen to/reread stories • Read word pattern books

• Write short messages • Practice correct pencil grip, paper position, and beginning stroke • Tell news and stories for the teacher to write • Write labels and captions for pictures and charts

What you’ll see (products)

• Projects about the characters, setting, and main idea in stories • Acting out book characters

• Pictures that match beginning and ending sounds • Nursery rhymes/fairy tales • High frequency word lists • Poetry to read aloud

• Drawings matched to words • New words used in daily conversation • Word lists

• Handwriting practice papers • Sentences that use correct capitals and end punctuation • Different types of writing (lists, messages, stories)

How you can help

• Listen to your children tell a story, movie, or personal event • Ask your child to describe characters and settings • Preview the pictures and discuss what a book will be about before reading • Ask “why” events happened in a story • Ask what’s real and not real • Visit the library with your child

• Read with your child daily (www. readingrockets.com helps to choose books for your child) • Make an alphabet book with your child using magazine pictures • Read rhyming books to your child like The Cat in the Hat or Chicka-Chicka Boom Boom • Log on www.pbskids.com for hands-on-activities from TV shows (Sesame Street, Arthur…)

• Say the name of objects in the stores and at home • Ask questions that require your child to explain (Start with “why” or “how”) • Ask your child to identify letters and words seen in familiar places and on things • Gather and name objects that start with the same sound • Sing rhyming songs like The Name Game

• Write notes to your child and ask for a written response • Ask your child to help write the grocery list • Make a writing station with pencils, crayons, and paper • Let your child tell you a story that you write down • Write 3 to 8 word sentences for your child to copy • Display your child’s writings

Kindergarten Science Scientific Process Skills

Systems

Properties, Patterns and Models

Constancy and Change

What your child will learn

• Safe practices during lab investigations • Scientific inquiry • Critical thinking and problem solving • Appropriate use of tools and equipment

• Systems occur in everyday life • Interactions between matter and energy • Relationships between functions, structures and interactions in living organisms

• Properties and patterns of organisms, objects and events • Components of the natural world

• Factors affecting change • Changes occur in everyday life • Relationship between force and motion

What your child will do

• Conduct investigative procedures • Demonstrate safety • Collect data • Organize, examine, and evaluate data • Use science equipment and technology • Make decisions • Communicate valid conclusions

• Sort organisms/objects • Study systems: Parts of organisms and objects • Compare living organisms and nonliving objects • Record observations about parts of animals including feet, wings, and heads, and tails • Manipulate toys and plants

• Describe the properties of objects and characteristics of organisms • Observe and identify patterns including seasons, growth, and day and night • Predict and create patterns • Recognize patterns in charts and graphs

• Observe change in size, shape, color, quantity, and movement of objects • Identify and test ways that heat causes change • Record changes in weather–daily and seasons • Observe and record the stages in life cycles of animals

What you’ll see (products)

• Safety Rules and Symbols • Science Equipment • Graphic Organizers • Lab Reports • Graphs, tables, charts • Science Folder/Journal • Science Fair Project

• List: Organisms/objects • Recorded observations about plant and animal parts • Drawings of separate parts of the whole • Comparison of living and nonliving objects • List of basic needs of organisms

• List of properties of various objects • Identify patterns of certain organisms • Predictions from group work • Charts and graphs of lab work

• Measurements using a thermometer • Various lab activities using charts and graphs • Lists of different objects detailing the differences in characteristics • Drawings in science folder

How you can help

• Provide a place for study • Use appropriate tools around the home • Ask questions that will cause students to think • Read with student • Help with Science Fair Project

• Sort objects around the home in different categories • Visit the zoo or watch special science-related TV programs together

• Study animals such as birds, dogs, and horses to determine their similarities, differences and special needs

• Talk about differences in objects around the home • Review the different movements of various animals such as birds, dogs, and people • Talk about safety using hot and cold objects

Kindergarten Social Studies Individual, Culture and Community

Writing and Illustrating Social Studies Information

Oral Communication Through Social Studies Information

Social Studies Skills

What your child will learn

• Define citizen • How communities are alike and different • How people communicate culture • Why the past is important • How we know the difference between wants and needs • How people and events change history

• Build specific grade level vocabulary words and concepts • Use graphic organizers (diagrams) to organize ideas and information before prewriting

• Develop social skills that enables him/her to get along with others • Clearly communicate ideas and information to a group or class

• Sequence events in chronological order • Read simple map to recognize symbols • Vote as a method of group decision-making

What your child will do

• Use picture clues to comprehend readings and vocabulary words • Retell the information they heard • Make a connection between the readings and their own experiences • Determine cause and effect relationships

• Communicate ideas by drawing, painting or dictating ideas to teacher • Begin to write vocabulary words related to social studies topics • Write to express ideas as they relate to his/her life experiences

• Use appropriate vocabulary words • Listen attentively to stories • Share ideas and experiences with class and teacher

• Participate in creative drama and role playing • Participate in sharing and group teamwork • Participate in group decisionmaking process

What you’ll see (products)

• Beginning to summarize and restate readings in his/her own words • Beginning to show interest and “read” books using pictures

• Pictures that show understanding • Drawings with oral explanation • Listening attentively without of concepts • Picture stories with early stages interrupting others of writing

How you can help

• Provide a special place with • Read to your child • Let your child “read” to you using paper and writing tools for your picture clues child to express himself/herself • Take your child frequently to the • When they share their work library do not correct their work, that • Provide quiet time for everyone to process will occur later in the read in the home school year

• Listen and engage in conversations with your child on topics that interest them • Ask questions to encourage curiosity

• Timeline of child’s life • Paper replicas of Texas and United States flags • Maps of home or classroom with key • Graphic organizers (diagram) of information and ideas • Allow them to do simple tasks to gain experience and confidence • Be there to guide and encourage them in their effort to complete a task

Kindergarten Enrichment Opportunities Physical Education

Music

Art

Talented and Gifted Program

What your child will learn

• Identify fundamental movement patterns as well as movement concepts • Acquire knowledge of the benefits of being involved in daily physical activity and factors that affect physical performance • Learn safety practices, selfmanagement skills, and social skills associated with physical activity

• Describe and recognize difference between high/low, loud/soft, fast/slow, singing/ speaking voice • Recognize the difference in steady beat and pattern of the words/rhythm • Identify the sound of male, female, and child voices

• Correctly identify things around them, using the five senses • Relate art to their everyday life • Express ideas, feelings, and understandings through art activities such as painting or drawing • Identify a minimum of one painting created by a famous artist • Basic skills in art tools (safety) scissors

• Curriculum is based on themes that include core subjects, and, for example, the theme of Wonders • Thinking strategies are included

What your child will do

• Participate in moderate to vigorous physical activities • Participate in appropriate exercises to develop flexibility

• Sing songs of different cultures and styles • Play classroom instruments • Play musical games and move to a steady beat

• Create original artworks using crayons, markers, paint, and paper • Talk about a famous artist • Discuss art work • Learn to use scissors correctly

• Engage in creative and challenging lessons, activities, and research that require the use of higher order thinking strategies

What you’ll see (products)

• Develop locomotor skills such as running, hopping, jumping, skipping, galloping, and leaping • Develop an appreciation and enjoyment of physical activities • Demonstrate the ability to make healthy choices

• Student performances and presentations • Improved skills of following directions, memorization and teamwork

• Two (flat) dimensional artworks • Thinking Activities • Simple sculptures made of paper, • Creative, original products based on the curriculum being used in clay, or other safe materials the TAG classroom

How you can help

• Encourage your student to participate and support their involvement in activity-based programs • Contact the physical education instructor at your local campus • Visit your local community centers to become involved in activities

• Listen to different styles of music • Attend a live music performance • Speak nursery rhymes together • Listen to songs your child has learned

• Display the child’s artwork in a prominent place • Make an art center at home with basic art supplies • Ask your child to tell you about the artworks • Participate in a family art project to reinforce the skills being learned • Attend student art exhibitions

• Take your child to various events at the library, museums, zoo • Discuss the products and projects that your child brings home • Visit the TAG classroom • Work on questioning skills and logic puzzles with your child