Kindergarten

The Carden Method teaches students to read and write through the use of proven teaching techniques that provide a natural development of each child’s mind.  Smoothly graduating steps take students from basic consonant sounds to an analysis of all the sounds each vowel makes in different words, ultimately leading to the development of the Carden Vowel Chart and reading with fluency, rhythm, and complete comprehension.

English Grammar:

• Identify recent and past verb tenses
• Learn and use proper sentence structure 

Spelling:

• Executes dictations of sounds and words
• Learns two-vowel rule and vowel-alone rules
• Develops proficiency with Carden controls and vowel pitches
• Applies Carden vowel chart to express controls

Oral Language:

• Identify who, doing, what, Carden terms for parts of speech
• Demonstrate comprehension skills (main idea, details, sequence, cause/effect, draw conclusions, predict outcome
• Increase vocabulary

Reading:

• Identify consonants, blends, and vowels to decode words by applying Carden vowel chart rules
• Participate in guided exercises to develop a mental image
• Utilize comprehension questions to analyze sentence structure

Literature:

• Enhance listening skills by increasing vocabulary
• Compare story elements (setting, characters, events, plot, and theme)
• Make inferences and draw conclusions
• Hear stories which emphasize valuable character traits and moral behavior influencing the heart of the student

Poetry:

• Use poetry for sequencing, mental image, vocabulary development, and rhythmic reading
• Engage in group oral recitation

Speaking:

• Develop group communication skills
• Express thoughts in complete sentences
• Articulate and enunciate when speaking

Writing and Penmanship:

• Print upper and lower case alphabet
• Use proper punctuation and capitalization
• Print numerals and mathematical equations

Our goal is to instill a solid foundation with a functional concept of numbers which will enable the student to express numerical relationships in words.  The use of manipulative and exploration are stressed so that the child experiences understanding before proceeding to the numerical symbols and more abstract thinking.  Vocabulary is developed through the “Language of the Blocks” as students discuss and record their experiences.  Pupils then begin to acquire an understanding of the properties of addition, subtraction, measurement, time, and the use of a calendar.

Logic and Reasoning: 

• Classify objects by size, shape and texture
• Identify spatial positions using appropriate vocabulary: inside, outside, middle, top, bottom, left and right
• Solve word problems using appropriate skills and strategies
• Give reasonable or logical conjectures and conclusions 
• Make and read graphs and charts
• Identify, reproduce, and extend simple patterns

Geometry:

• Identify and draw basic geometric shapes

Measurement:

• Understand comparison terms: more than, less than, greater than, fewer, etc.
• Recognize and identify fraction parts: whole, half, quarter, and third
• Demonstrate an understanding of time (morning, noon, evening, yesterday, etc)
• Understand the use of measuring tools, (clocks, scale, calendar, mean, ruler, etc)
• Recite days of the week, months, seasons
• Measure items using standard and non-standard units
• Recognize coins
• Compare length, width and height of various objects

Number Functions:

• Count, and recognize numerals 0 - 100
• Use ordinal number identification
• Recognize mathematical symbols
• Add and subtract whole numbers
• Experience place value on the 1’s and 10’s place

Kindergarten lessons focus on scientific processes to explore the premise that there are observable changes in the world around us.  Through hands-on activities, the students investigate physical earth and life science by observing, comparing, classifying, order, and recording data.

• Identify stages of plant life
• Identify vegetables, fruit and ornamental plants
• Use the Five Senses to examine and observe things in the world around them
• Identify living and non-living things
• Investigate habitats and life cycles of familiar insects and animals
• Experiment with matter and be able to identify solids, liquids, and gases
• Observe changing seasons and daily weather conditions
• Discuss and practice good nutrition

Kindergarten students develop social skills by working in groups, sharing objects and space, taking turns, and following directions.  Using concrete experiences such as dramatic play, art projects, and field trips, students develop an understanding of and appreciation for self, family, the community, and the world.

• Develop a sense of history while studying traditions and the origins of holidays
• Develop an appreciation for other cultures
• Understand and identify land and water areas on a globe and on a map
• Participate in classroom management and conflict resolution by developing problem solving skills
• Develop respect for rules and the rights and property of others
• Learn patriotic songs
• Learn the Pledge of Allegiance
• Identify the qualities and virtues of fictitious characters and how those qualities are emulated in real life situations
• Begin to develop a sense of time: present, past and future
• Share important events and people in their own lives
• Learn about other cultures through music, food, holiday traditions, dress, etc.

Kindergarten students will apply artistic processes and skills using a variety of materials to create original works of art.  Using art media to develop perceptual and fine motor skills students will also increase their awareness and appreciation for the elements of art and art appreciation.  By acquiring the vocabulary, kindergarten students will be able to analyze and make judgements as they communicate and express themselves through art.

• Become acquainted with the use of basic art tools: scissors, brushes, paints, markers, pencils, and crayons
• Make personal choices in artistic expression
• Identify colors, textures, line, shape, and space
• Explore the historical and cultural context of sample works of art

The music program for kindergarten focuses on learning the lyrics, origin and meaning of songs.  Students learn to identify various musical instruments by sight and by sound.  Primarily a vocal program, music is the vehicle for many cultural and thematic units. 

• Learn songs related to our country, seasons, and holidays
• March, clap, and dance while listening to music and use unpatched rhythm instruments to copy simple rhythm patterns emphasizing steady beats and rests
• Participate in classroom music and play presentations and in an all school music presentations
• Develop appreciation for different genres of music

Kindergarten students participate in fitness activities that focus on the development of gross motor skills, manipulative movement, spatial/body awareness, balance, and social group behavior.  Through a variety of cooperative games, rhythms, movement exploration activities, and manipulative activities, the students are able to meet the class objectives and develop the components of health-related fitness that will be the basis for a lifetime of healthy habits.

• Experience rhythm activities that develop coordination and concentration
• Develop agility, balance, and basic gross motor skills
• Develop ability to follow directions
• Experience and learn structured playground games

This class is designed to strengthen the interest and proficiency in a foreign language and culture. The teaching is primarily oral, focusing on listening and speaking skills. Lessons in French and Spanish  build everyday vocabulary, expression, and commands.

• Learn greetings and introductions
• Practice politeness
• Learn numbers 0 to 30
• Learn months of the year
• Discuss the weather
• Learn colors, family members, food, animals
• Learn holidays and geography around the world
• Learn language through songs
• Learn articles, singular and plural