Woodside School District

Curriculum

Differentiation

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