Kindergarten Curriculum
Reading
The reading program is designed to enable students to read with expression and comprehension. The students recite the consonants and vowel sounds daily. Children are taught the Two Vowel Rule: When there are two vowels in a word, the second vowel is crossed off and the first vowel says its name sound. The children are given the opportunity daily to sound out words until they have a complete mastery over the application of the rule. Vocabulary is increased to produce independent reading. Sentences are analyzed to find key words. Reading workbooks provide children with more opportunities to master the Two Vowel Rule. Children are also read to daily to promote excitement of reading.
Spelling
The purpose of the Carden™ Spelling Method is to teach children to listen to a word, break it down into its individual sounds, and construct the word sound by sound. They are taught the primary vowel "controls" which govern the pronunciation and spelling of words. Spelling consists of dictation of words and sentences that are reviewed at the end of the reading lesson. Words and sentences are written daily once mastery is achieved.
Language and Writing
Punctuation: Proper use of period; knowledge of question mark, and exclamation point.
Proper capitalization.
Identification of the "doing, who-doing, and who-doing-what-where."
Poems from My First Poetry Book. One poem is analyzed, memorized, and recited per month.
Printing with proper letter formation.
Literature
Read and discuss classic stories
Poetry
Discussion and memorization of at least one poem per month
French
Counting, colors, songs, rhymes, phrases and simple objects.
Mathematics
Counting to 100 by 1's, 2's, 5's, and 10's.
Correct formation of the numbers 0-9
"The Story of Ones"
Blocks-listening and following directions
Making a number line
Sums through 9
Differences through 9
The Boxes (missing addend problems)
Writing the numbers 1-100
Science
Life science: Living and non-living things, animals, plants
Physical science: Matter, sound, heat, light, movement
Earth science: Earth and sky, weather, caring for our earth
Human body: Your senses, frowing and changing, being healthy
Social Studies
Important leaders: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Culture and vocabulary in The Farm and Daddy's Garden workbooks
Art and Art Appreciation
Drawing, painting, and various art activities
Discussion and appreciation of the works of the masters
Music
Development of rhythmic skills
Theory: basic understanding of line and spaces
Introduction to composers
Students participate in two performances per year
Physical Education
The students participate in a structured PE class for 20 minutes each day with activities, games, and simple exercises. In addition, the students have a 15-minute recess after lunch, and another 15 minute recess in the afternoon.
Computer
The students are introduced to the computer with a weekly 30 minute lesson. They learn the basic skills of using a keyboard and mouse, watching a monitor, listening to instructions, and following commands. They advance to Table Top Jr., Word, and Print Artist.
Textbooks and Materials
Learning to Listen: Beginning consonant sounds, vocabulary
Cutting and Pasting: Fine motor skills, following through
Getting Ready for School: Listening and following directions, vocabulary
Readers: I See, Joan, Red Book
The Farm Picture Book: Science, vocabulary
Daddy's Garden: Science, vocabulary
Workbooks: Learning the Letters; Pre-primary, Primary, Red, Vocabulary Seatwork of Red Book; Learning the Numbers; and The Language of Numbers
