1. ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM OVERVIEW KINDERGARTEN

2. ELEMENTARY SCHEDULING KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 2 SubjectMinutesDescription ELAR 110 A comprehensive ELAR curriculum includes reading instruction, written expression, spelling, vocabulary, and handwriting. A 110 minute daily ELAR block with 45 minutes of Writing Workshop minimum 3 days per week. Mathematics 90 The focus of math instruction is based upon conceptual understanding prior to the implementation of mathematical procedures (teaching of algorithms). A skills time within the 90 minute mathematics block will allow time for differentiated instruction to meet student needs. Science 40 40 minutes is the minimum per day for science instruction. Students should be exposed to non-fiction literature as well as having multiple hands-on lab opportunities. Social Studies 40 40 minutes is the minimum per day for social studies instruction. A strong foundational understanding of the social studies TEKS must be included.

3. ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND READING

4. LITERACY INSTRUCTION Strategic and developmentally appropriate focus on: PHONEMIC AWARENESS PHONICS FLUENCY VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT READING COMPREHENSION CRITICAL WRITING KINDERGARTEN ELAR

5. CLASSROOMS Our classrooms are designed to be collaborative, creative, and literacy rich. In our classrooms, you will find: Large/small group meeting areas. A classroom library filled with a variety of interests and levels. 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. KINDERGARTEN ELAR

6. READING AND WRITING WORKSHOP During the English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) block, students will: Receive explicit instruction through mini lessons. Engage in purposeful student talk. Explore a variety of genres and participate in shared and modeled demonstrations of effective reading and writing strategies. Read and write independently for sustained periods of time. Explore how words work and apply what they learn in the context of reading and writing through small- group, peer, and individual conferences. Receive timely feedback and set future reading and writing goals. Share their work with others. KINDERGARTEN ELAR

7. GRADE LEVEL FOCUS During the English Language Arts (ELAR) block, Kindergarten students will focus on: Naming upper-and lower-case letters, linking those letters with their sounds, and printing them. Hearing and manipulating sounds in language. Recognizing features of print. Responding to and making connections to text and explaining thinking. Speaking clearly to express thoughts, feelings, and ideas, including descriptions of familiar people, places, things, and events. Using strategies to independently read and comprehend emergent text. Planning and writing about meaningful experiences. KINDERGARTEN ELAR

10. WHAT SHOULD YOUR CHILD BE BRINGING HOME? Bag of familiar reading material Reader Response Notebook and/or Reading Log KINDERGARTEN ELAR

11. MATHEMATICS

12. THE LAST 4 PROCESS STANDARDS- IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION! (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

13. 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

14. 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 KINDERGARTEN MATHEMATICS

15. We the People of the United States of America... SOCIAL STUDIES KINDERGARTEN

16. 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

17. In Kindergarten, the study of the self, home, family, and classroom establishes the foundation for responsible citizenship in society. KINDERGARTEN SOCIAL STUDIES

18. 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 – Citizen Heroes/Hispanic Heritage Enrichment Unit  Unit 3 – Our Government/Celebrate Freedom  Unit 4 – Good Citizens  Unit 5 – Presidential Election Unit/Decision Making  Unit 6 – Positional Words/Locations  Unit 7 – Families  Unit 8 – Customs/Traditions  Unit 9 – Celebrations  Unit 10 – Maps/Communities  Unit 11 – Our U.S. History  Unit 12 – Citizen Heroes/Black History Enrichment Unit  Unit 13 – Landforms/Bodies of Water  Unit 14 – Women's History Enrichment Unit  Unit 15 – Basic Needs  Unit 16 – Going to Work  Unit 17 – Technology Then and Now KINDERGARTEN SOCIAL STUDIES

19. ELEMENTARY SCIENCE: LEARNING THROUGH INQUIRY

20. WHAT IS SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY? Scientific inquiry allows students to take an active role in understanding science content and processes. Scientific inquiry transforms learning from teacher centered to student centered learning. Scientific inquiry engages students in problem solving and critical thinking. Scientific inquiry is the active construction of ideas and forming connections. KINDERGARTEN SCIENCE

21. WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF A STUDENT-CENTERED SCIENCE CLASSROOM? Learners are engaged in 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

22. 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. KINDERGARTEN SCIENCE

23. SCIENCE NOTEBOOKS IN EVERY CLASSROOM 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 KINDERGARTEN SCIENCE