Elementary Curriculum Overview
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND READING
KINDERGARTEN ELAR LITERACY INSTRUCTION Strategic and developmentally appropriate focus on five components of reading: PHONEMIC AWARENESS PHONICS FLUENCY VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT COMPREHENSION
ELAR CLASSROOMS Our classrooms are designed to be collaborative, creative, and literacy rich. In our classrooms, you will find: A large/small group meeting areas A classroom library filled with a variety of leveled texts Individual book boxes or bags Ample writing supplies and mentor texts Areas to practice both independent and collaborative reading and writing Teacher and student-created anchor charts Resources to support a gradual release of responsibility (sound linking charts, word walls, writing folders, etc.) A display of student products that reflect recent work in the classroom
ELAR BLOCK During the English Language Arts (ELA) block, students will be: Engage in purposeful student talk Exploring a variety of genres and participating in shared and modeled demonstrations of what good readers and writers do Reading and writing independently for sustained periods of time Exploring how words work and applying what they learn in the context of reading and writing Receiving timely feedback and setting future reading and writing goals
KINDERGARTEN ELAR Here is what you will find in our classrooms: Large Group Area/Small Group Table Classroom Library Individual Book Boxes or Bags Reading/Writing Areas Activity Stations (Listening station, Computer station, Poetry station, Word Work station) Anchor Charts Interactive Word Walls Word Work (teaching spelling in context)
MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTION The Why Behind What We Do
KINDERGARTEN MATHEMATICS Process Standards The student uses mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding. The student is expected to: (A) apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace; (B) use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-solving process and the reasonableness of the solution; (C) select tools, including real objects, manipulatives, paper and pencil, and technology as appropriate, and techniques, including mental math, estimation, and number sense as appropriate, to solve problems; (D) communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations, including symbols, diagrams, graphs, and language as appropriate; (E) create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate mathematical ideas; (F) and analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas; (G) display, explain, and justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written or oral communication.
KINDERGARTEN MATHEMATICS The Last 4 Statements (D) communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations, including symbols, diagrams, graphs, and language as appropriate; (E)use mathematical relationships to generate solution and make connections and predictions. (F) analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas. (G) display, explain, or justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written or oral communications.
KINDERGARTEN MATHEMATICS Focal Points for Kindergarten Students count, represent and compare quantities and collections fluently to at least 20 Students develop meaning of addition and subtraction and explain strategies for solving problems involving those operations Students identify and use attributes and components of 2D and 3D shapes
KINDERGARTEN MATHEMATICS Guiding Principles Support students to make sense of mathematics and learn that they can be mathematical thinkers. Focus on computational fluency with whole numbers. Emphasize reasoning about mathematical ideas. Engage all learners in understanding mathematics
SOCIAL STUDIES
KINDERGARTEN SOCIAL STUDIES Throughout social studies in Kindergarten-Grade 12, students build a foundation in history; geography; economics; government; citizenship; culture; science, technology, and society; and social studies skills. The content, as appropriate for the grade level, enables students to understand the importance of patriotism, function in a free enterprise society, and appreciate the basic democratic values of our state and nation.
KINDERGARTEN SOCIAL STUDIES In Kindergarten, the study of the self, home, family, and classroom establishes the foundation for responsible citizenship in society.
KINDERGARTEN SOCIAL STUDIES Kindergarteners receive instruction through units that start to build a foundation in history; geography; economics; government; citizenship; culture; science, technology, and society; and social studies skills: Unit 1 Rules and Routines Unit 2 Our Government/Celebrate Freedom Unit 3 Good Citizens Unit 4 Going to Work Unit 5 Basic Needs Unit 6 Families Unit 7 Customs/Traditions Unit 8 Celebrations Unit 9 Technology Then and Now Unit 10 Positional Word and Locations Unit 11 Maps/Communities and Texas Unit 12 Our U.S. History/Black History Unit 13 Landforms/Bodies of Water Unit 14 Decisions Unit 15 Solving Problems Unit 16 Next Year
ELEMENTARY SCIENCE: INQUIRY AND NOTEBOOKS
KINDERGARTEN SCIENCE What is scientific inquiry? Science inquiry allows students to take an active role in understanding their science learning. Science inquiry transforms learning from watching and listening to doing. Science inquiry involves activities and skills in an active search for understanding. Science inquiry engages students in the investigative nature of science. Science inquiry is the active construction of ideas and the forming of connections.
KINDERGARTEN SCIENCE What are the essential features of a science classroom? Learners are engaged by scientifically oriented questions. Learners give priority to evidence, which allows them to develop and evaluate explanations that address scientifically oriented questions. Learners formulate and evaluate explanations from evidence to address scientifically oriented questions. Learners communicate and justify their proposed explanations.
KINDERGARTEN SCIENCE What is the student s role? Ask a question about objects, organisms and events in the world around them. Plan and conduct a simple investigation. Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses. Use data to construct a reasonable explanation. Communicate investigations and explanations.
Science Notebooks in every classroom KINDERGARTEN SCIENCE Integrates science and language arts skills Helps students develop cognitive knowledge of science content and processes Enhances writing skills Serves as an assessment tool to gather information on students thinking
Parent Resources Istation K-5 K-2 Computer Activities Math Resources