A Word About Kindergarten...

What will your child be learning this year? How can you help him or her be successful in school? These are important parent questions! The following information was developed to explain the major academic expectations held by the Shiocton School District for students in kindergarten. You’ll also learn more about how you can help your child be successful in school, home/school communications, common behaviors for five and six-year-olds, and much more. Welcome to Kindergarten. Together, we can help your child reach his or her full potential and enjoy school! 

Some Developmental Characteristics Displayed by Many Five-Year-Olds

• Able to manage a toothbrush, do simple weaving and basket making, and complete some picture puzzles (small motor control)
• Able to ride a two-wheeler and learn simple dance steps (large motor control)
• Display independence skills such as dressing and feeding themselves
• Moving toward the self-direction and self-control required of school-age children
• Persist longer at tasks and work until project is completed
• Can talk meaningfully about tomorrow and yesterday
• Can talk about distant places like a farm or fire station
• Ask questions for practical reasons: What is this? What do I do with this?
• Enjoy friends and may have one or more close friends
• Have defined preferences such as choice of toys, clothes, and television programs
• Can enjoy kindergarten setting and is able to do manipulative learning activities that will foster math, language, science, and artistic skills

Some Developmental Characteristics Displayed by Many Six-Year-Olds

• Go to bed quite willingly; some like to take a book or chat with mom or dad
• Typically sleep about 11 hours daily
• Seem to be active almost constantly, even when sitting; some will stand or walk while working
• Tend to be somewhat clumsy and dawdlers
• Enjoy making things and are inventive; concocting new things are favorite activities
• Need to be in the middle of things, to be first, and to win
• Often pair up with peers and have best friends, but friendships may be erratic, and pair combinations may change many times during school year
• “Tattling” is a pronounced characteristic
• Like to work at school but more in spurts; don’t show the persistence they will show later
• Love to hear about past times, especially about their mom’s or dad’s childhood
• Love to talk, share their thoughts, and have a conversation

Academic Expectations

Please note that we couldn’t include everything your child will be learning. Please contact your child’s teacher for more information.

Upon completion of Kindergarten, the student should be able to:

Mathematics

• Use problem-solving strategies
• Understand and communicate mathematical ideas
• Count to 100
• Understand one-to-one correspondence (0-10)
• Identify numbers to 30
• Write numerals correctly (0-10)
• Use manipulatives to add and write number sentences to 5
• Understand basic units and processes of measurement (nonstandard)
• Recognize basic shapes
• Understand and use position words: inside, outside, between, above, below, behind, in front of
• Use manipulatives to show and understand patterns
• Understand and use graphs
• Count by 10’s
• Recite his or her address, telephone number, and birth date

Music

• Recognize and sing from memory a variety of songs
• Develop creativity
• Respond to tempo, dynamics, and mood with rhythmic patterns, bodily movements, and play activities
• Reinforce the letter of the week with songs, activities, and plays
• Echo short rhythms and melodic patterns
• Develop self-discipline and self-confidence when participating in class activities, including playing musical instruments
• Participate in a Kindergarten program

Language Arts

• Use language to convey appropriate messages
• Listen when others are speaking
• Recite familiar stories, poems, and songs
• Contribute ideas to discussions
• Follow simple verbal directions
• Use concepts of print and background knowledge to understand texts
• Identify upper and lowercase letters of the alphabet
• Recognize colors and color words
• Recognize that writing goes from left to right
• Acquire emergent (beginning) reading skills
• Know letter/sound relationships
• Use picture clues, letter/sound relationships (phonics),and background knowledge to read texts
• Make predictions about a variety of texts
• Dictate and/or write stories or personal thoughts
• Write using letter-sound relationship to represent words
• Print letters and copy words
• Write own name (first/last)

Health

• Know proper health habits help prevent illness
• Know precautions that should be taken in special conditions (e.g. bad weather, Halloween, darkness, being approached by a stranger, taking medicine)
• Know how to recognize emergencies and respond appropriately
• Know how to identify and share feelings in appropriate way

Science

• Identify ways children can protect the environment
• Identify characteristics associated with the four seasons
• Understand and explain the importance and functions of the five seasons
• Observe and discuss concept of things of change (seasons, colors, animals, plants)
• Know the environment contains many diverse and interrelated resources (air, water, land)
• Know the difference between living and nonliving things
• Know that plants and animals both need water, animals need food to eat, and plants need light
• Know that objects can be described and classified by their composition (wood, metal, etc.) and their physical properties (color, size, shape, etc.)
• Know that things move in different ways

Physical Education

• Understand and follow rules and procedures
• Introduce and use a variety of basic loco motor movements (jump, skip, gallop, walk, run)
• Introduce and use a variety of basic non-loco motor movements (bend, twist, roll, push, pull)
• Introduce basic manipulative skills (throw, catch, kick, dribble)
• Use concepts of spatial awareness and movement control
• Use control in balance activities
• Develop small and large muscle skill coordination
• Engage in activities that develop flexibility, strength and endurance

Social Studies

• Understand that people are alike and different in many ways
• Understand that we depend upon workers who produce goods or services
• Know that rules at home, at school, and in the community let individuals know what to expect and can reduce the number of disputes
• Know examples of situations that involve responsibility and the sources of responsibility (e.g. a child obeying his/her parents’ request to take care of the family pet)
• Know some of the benefits of fulfilling responsibilities (e.g. praise and approval from parents = increased confidence and self-esteem)
• Know the physical and human characteristics of a local community (e.g. neighborhoods, schools, parks)
• Know the modes of transportation used to move people, product and ideas from place to place (e.g. airplanes, automobiles, ships, railroads)
• Know ways that people solve common problems by cooperating (e.g. working in groups)
• Know how various American holidays reflect the shared values, principles, and beliefs of Americans (e.g. Thanksgiving)
   

Art

• Use materials purposefully and safely
• Understand color, shape, and line elements of art
• Express self through art media
• Reflect on works of art
• Know the role of art in everyday life
• Develop visual awareness and appreciation through art history
• Understand that creating or viewing art can cause different feelings and responses
• Develop sufficient fine motor skills to use art tools and materials in an effective manner
• Understand how to prepare and manipulate the art medium (clay, paint, etc.)
• Identify the primary colors
• Develop subject matter awareness (human body/face)
• Understand the put and pull out process with clay (oil base and moist)
• Develop cooperative work habits

Parent Tips for Helping Children Succeed in School

• Ask the teachers for ways you can help your child learn more at home.
• Show your support for your child’s special interest by attending science fairs, plays, music programs, field trips or sports events.
• Read with your child; show an interest in what he or she is doing in school each day.
• Use television wisely. Set limits on viewing times, especially on school nights.
• Tell your child you believe he or she can do well in school. Stress that students get good grades through hard work and study, and not just because “some students are smart.” Offer praise and encouragement for achievement and improvement.
• Establish a regular family routine of mealtimes, conversations, healthy activities, homework and chores, and bedtime.
• Talk with your children about positive values and personal traits, such as respect for self and others, hard work, responsibility, and honesty. Show those values through your actions.
• If you need help with a school-related problem, contact your children’s teachers, the school counselor, or principal

Seven Ways Parents can Encourage Their Children to Read!

• Read yourself. Whether you’re reading the newspaper or curling up with a good book, your child will want to follow your example.
• Make sure your child reads daily—with you, to you, or on their own. Reading is a skill. Children who read for fun each day develop the skills to become better readers at school.
• Get into the library habit. Take your children to the library often and make sure they have their own library card.
• Read aloud to your child. It’s the most important way a parent can help a child become a better reader. Begin reading to your child as an infant—it’ll soon become “quality time” for years to come!
• Use the newspaper to improve reading skills. Ask your young child to find items in the paper like a map of the United States , a photo of an athlete, or three words beginning with the letter “m.” Ask your older child to summarize an article from the family, sports, or local section.
• Give books as gifts. Find a special place for your child to keep his or her personal library. When selecting books, keep in mind your child’s interests and reading level. Consider selections that include children’s nonfiction as well as fiction.
• Ask your child’s teacher for book suggestions or a summer reading list. Let your child choose from those recommendations.

Home-School Communications

We welcome your partnership in helping your child achieve success in school. By working and talking together, we can create positive learning environment.

Ways to Keep in Touch

• Open House/Orientation Meeting (September)
• Parent-Teacher Conferences (November and February)
• Daily Communication Sheets
• Semester progress reports
• Field trip notices/permission forms
• Parent-Teacher notes and telephone calls
• Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher with questions or concerns