Kindergarten

Blue Valley’s English Language Arts instruction is rooted in a body of research known as the Science of Reading. Structured literacy principles inform our approach to teaching literacy skills for reading, writing, speaking and listening. In kindergarten, students will:

• Learn about the basic concepts of print (words go left to right and from top to bottom on a page; words are separated by spaces and can point with one-to-one correspondence).
• Recognize that our spoken words are represented in writing with specific letter sequences.
• Separate individual sounds in words; blend individual sounds to pronounce whole words; and identify the position of different sounds in words.
• Identify all upper and lowercase letters.
• Learn the letter names and basic sounds for all 26 letters.
• Begin to read decodable texts that support instruction.
• Develop vocabulary through listening to a variety of literature and nonfiction passages.
• Identify the main characters, setting and major events in a story and in informational text.
• Begin to express ideas in written form through combinations of letters, words and pictures.

Reading and writing develop together as children gain experience with language and literature. Children will be immersed in a language-rich environment and experience authentic literature and nonfiction text. Kindergarten classrooms provide a variety of opportunities for children to explore our oral and written language.

The social studies program builds on students’ natural interest in their immediate surroundings and community by investigating:

• The individual, how to interact with others and the interdependence of self, family, groups and society.
• Historical gestures, people in groups and the rules that govern them.
• The concept of change as it applies to individuals, families and the environment.
• Families around the world and increasing their awareness of place, location and how people interact with their environment.
• Choices, needs and wants.

Learning will occur through literature, sharing, show and tell, group discussion, field trips, dramatic play, guest speakers and special events.

Kindergarteners learn through discovery and inquiry. Science introduces children to the skills of observation, description, problem solving, seeing relationships, logical reasoning and inference. Students will investigate:

• Characteristics of objects
• Characteristics of living things
• Properties of earth material
• Objects in the sky
• Weather
• Healthy habits

The mathematics program uses a hands-on approach to teaching math, which is organized around:

• Problem solving and reasoning
• Number sense and whole number computation
• Algebra (patterns and relationships)
• Geometry (spatial sense and measurement)
• Data and statistics

Math lessons are designed to provide children with many concrete experiences to help them develop a good foundation toward abstract math concepts. Lessons are planned to help children see relationships and to build mathematical skills.

Art is an expressive and intellectual process taught through hands-on discovery. To enhance students’ learning, our art curriculum is often integrated with other subjects, such as thinking critically, solving problems and personal expression. Kindergarten children will explore and use a variety of materials to draw, identify, paint and create dimensional products. Art can make a significant contribution to children’s learning and development, as well as prepare students for the future.

Blue Valley’s music programs include creating, performing and responding to music from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Kindergarteners will:

• Identify and develop singing, speaking and shouting voices.
• Differentiate and demonstrate basic musical functions, such as:
  • High vs. low sounds
  • Loud vs. quiet sounds
  • Fast vs. slow sounds
  • Smooth vs. separated sounds
• Perform basic rhythms with a steady beat via body movement, voice, various classroom instruments and technology.
• Compose basic musical ideas from various sound sources.
• Evaluate various styles of music based on expressive qualities and personal preferences.

All schools in Blue Valley offer Spanish language instruction. Students learn to understand simple Spanish words and phrases, including greetings and introductions, family and pet vocabulary, likes and dislikes, interests and activities and learn to produce simple words and short phrases. Students learn to respond to teacher directions given in Spanish. Songs, games and rich cultural exploration are an integral part of learning a second language during the early years. Additionally, Wolf Springs Elementary hosts a Chinese Immersion program in which students receive half of their daily instruction in Chinese and half in English. Students enrolled in the Chinese Immersion program do not receive Spanish instruction. To learn more about the immersion program, visit www. bluevalleyk12.org/immersion.

The physical education program provides a wide range of movement activities. Kindergarteners will:

• Develop body awareness, balancing, running, stretching, jumping & landing and moving in personal space.
• Manipulate objects such as balls, parachutes, balloons and beanbags.
• Develop rhythm, locomotor & non-locomotor movements, turning, pushing, pulling and jumping rope.

Through movement, students learn kinesthetic awareness, cooperation and safety.

The library media program provides opportunities for children to select books, listen to stories, participate in oral language activities and be introduced to basic information literacy skills. Kindergarteners will:

• Develop strategies for selecting their own literature
• Develop an appreciation of literature
• Develop foundational research and information literacy skills
• Develop technology skills

Early experiences in the library help establish reading readiness, foster an interest in reading for both enjoyment and learning and teach digital citizenship skills