Kindergarten Curriculum

Kindergarten in Woodside Elementary School is committed to maintaining students’ natural curiosity and confidence in themselves as learners while developing the student behaviors that will enable them to become active and focused learners in a classroom setting.  Social-emotional learning is a key component of the kindergarten year and will continue to be built upon as students progress through the grade levels.

The following summary of the instructional program provides an overview of the Kindergarten year, with expectations modified or expanded to meet an individual child’s needs and abilities.  Additionally, Kindergarten students have an opportunity for “Choice Time” to make their own choices, create, pretend, communicate, solve problems and enjoy interactive play with their peers.

Curriculum standards are what all grade-level students are expected to know and be able to do by the end of a school year.  Key standards of kindergarten education are highlighted below.  All K-5 teachers are implementing the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) (http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/) in both English Language Arts and Mathematics.  Curriculum used includes Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop, Envision Math, Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative (SVMI), FOSS Science Program, and Scott-Foresman History-Social Studies.

In Kindergarten, each student will…

Language Arts

Reading

  • Develop concepts of print, phonemic awareness, and phonics
  • Learn sight words and reading strategies
  • Practice fluency and meaning
  • Think and talk deeply about books
  • Focus on characters, setting, and plot
  • Read fiction and non-fiction texts at grade level

Writing

  • See themselves as a writer
  • Learn the importance of labeling their drawings
  • Write true stories
  • Write informational how-to texts
  • Craft petitions, persuasive letters, and signs to rally people to address problems in the classroom, school, and world

Speaking and Listening

  • Participate in conversations about grade-level topics
  • Ask and answer questions
  • Express ideas and feelings clearly

Mathematics

  • Know number names and the count sequence
  • Count to tell the number of objects
  • Compare numbers
  • Understand concepts of addition and subtraction
  • Work with numbers 11-19 to gain foundations for place value
  • Describe and compare measurable attributes
  • Classify and count the number of objects in categories
  • Identify and describe shapes
  • Analyze, compare, create, and compose shapes

Science
  • Materials and Motion
    • Describe and compare measurable attributes
    • Observe and compare the properties of various wood, paper, and fabric
    • Explore the concept of force and motion
  • Trees and Weather
    • Observe trees and leaves over the seasons          
    • Observe day-to-day changes in weather over the year
  • Animals Two by Two
    • Observe differences in structure and behavior of common land and water animals
    • Learn about the basic needs of animals
  • Experience a “living lab” in the school garden

Social Studies

Woodside Elementary School District adopted TCI’s (Teacher’s Curriculum Institute) Social Studies Alive! curriculum for grades K-8. TCI is located in Mountain View and has been supporting teachers for decades in making social studies come alive for students. Our approach includes Hands-On Activities that engage students in big questions, as well as inquiry-based lessons that help students develop critical thinking skills and master essential knowledge. 

For TK and Kindergarten students, the textbook is Social Studies Alive! Me and My World. 

Chapters include:
  • Who Am I?
  • How is Our Life Different from Long Ago?
  • How Do I Solve Problems with Others? 
  • What is in My Neighborhood?
  • How Can I Help Take Care of the World? 

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Learn about…

  • Feelings/thoughts/actions
  • Getting along with others
  • Solving conflicts
  • Power of words
  • Understanding emotions

Physical Education

Skills are introduced in Kindergarten and continue to build upon each other throughout the grades.  Some areas to be emphasized throughout the year are:

  • Movement Concepts
  • Body Management
  • Locomotor Movement
  • Manipulative Skills
  • Rhythmic Skills
  • Aerobic Capacity
  • Muscular Strength/Endurance
  • Flexibility
  • Self-Responsibility
  • Social Interaction

Music

  • Focus on beat/rhythm and singing in tune
  • Gain accuracy in reading and understanding music
  • Improvise and compose music of their own
  • Understand how music has evolved over time
  • Practice self-expression through speaking, playing and moving
  • Experience life skills related to teamwork, respect, and responsibility

Art

  • Learn about shapes, colors, and shading
  • Model with clay
  • Experience artists studies, art history, and art appreciation

Design

  • Learn about Design Skills:  Research, brainstorming, sketching, testing, sharing
  • Practice using possible tools:  iMovie for iPad, Makerbot’s Printshop, KidPix, Pages, BeeBots, LittleBits, TinkerCAD
  • Create one grade-level project implementing the skills and tools