Welcome to Kindergarten! Kindergarten is more academically oriented than perhaps the kindergarten that you attended. Students will learn to read, write, and learn mathematics. They will also investigate science and social studies concepts. Parents will be responsible for overseeing the weekly homework they will have and reviewing concepts that will come home in a monthly newsletter. We are looking forward to working with you and your child this year. Kindergarten is a magical experience and you will be amazed at the growth you will see in your child this year.

The Kindergarten language arts program allows the students to be immersed in a print rich environment to learn the concepts of print, phonemic awareness principles such as rhyming words, syllables and blending. Students will learn to identify and name the uppercase and the lowercase letters, understand that letters represent sounds, and identify beginning, middle, and ending sounds in words. Students will communicate ideas through drawings, scribbles, letter strings, letter approximations, and dictation to adults. All aspects of literacy will be taught through a balanced literacy framework for instruction, enabling all students to become independent and strategic readers, writers, thinkers, and communicators.

The kindergarten mathematics program provides all students with a rich introductory experience in developmental mathematics. By using hands-on activities and a variety of techniques, each child is met at their developmental level. Areas of focus include number sense, measurement, geometry, fractions, patterning, sorting, money, and time. Through whole group introductory lessons, followed my small group math stations, these concepts are taught and reviewed to being each child to their full potential.

In kindergarten, children use basic science skills to explore their world. Observing, posing simple questions, predicting, measuring, sorting, classifying and drawing conclusions are the skills that are readily used when completing simple experiments. The process of scientific inquiry is introduced and practiced throughout the year. Kindergarteners use their senses to gather information. They learn about life processes and properties of familiar materials, such as magnets and water. The concept of change is introduced and observed when studying shadows, patterns of weather, and plant growth. Kindergarteners investigate and understand that materials can be recycled, reused and conserved. An emphasis is placed on conserving water and energy at home as well as in school.

Students will explore history as it relates to events and people of other times and places. They will identify traditional patriotic symbols of Virginia and America. Students will develop an appreciation of acts of patriotism and other admirable character traits of historical personalities. Students will use maps and globes to learn about geography as it relates to land, water, and location. They will demonstrate what it means to be a good citizen and what is expected of them. Students will also be exposed to basic economic concepts to include needs, wants, exchanging money, and saving for the future.