Kindergarten Curriculum

Below are the Kindergarten Standards we focus on throughout the school year.  These standards are in direct alignment with the Colorado Academic Standards and the curriculum outlined by Douglas County School District.  

The standards are the basis for the content rich environment and activities we work at Buffalo Ridge.  We also emphasize the 4C's with our kindergarteners at a developmentally appropriate level.  Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration are vital skills for them to start developing at this young age as they learn to become learners.  



Kindergarten
Reading, Writing and Communicating

Oral Expression and Listening

  • Oral communication skills are built within a language-rich environment

  • Communication relies on effective verbal and nonverbal skills

  • Vocal sounds produce words and meaning to create early knowledge of phonemic awareness

Reading for All Purposes

  • A concept of print to read and a solid comprehension of literary texts are the building blocks for reading

  • A concept of print to read and a solid comprehension of informational text are the building blocks for reading

  • Decoding words in print requires alphabet recognition and knowledge of letter sounds

Writing and Composition

  • Text types and purposes, labels, and familiar words are used to communicate information and ideas

  • Appropriate mechanics and conventions are used to create simple texts

Research and Reasoning

  • A variety of locations must be explored to find information that answers questions of interest

  • Identify purpose, information and question an issue

  • Quality of thinking depends on the quality of questions


Mathematics
We currently use enVision Math as our curricular resource for our math instruction.  We are currently in the middle of a math program adoption and will have an updated math program for the 18-19 school year and beyond.

Kindergarten
Mathematics

Number Sense, Properties, and Operations

  • Whole numbers can be used to name, count, represent, and order quantity

  • Composing and decomposing quantity forms the foundation for addition and subtraction

Patterns, Functions, and Algebraic Structures

  • Expectations for this standard are integrated into the other standards at preschool through third grade.

Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability

  • Expectations for this standard are integrated into the other standards at preschool through kindergarten.

Shape, Dimension, and Geometric Relationships

  • Shapes can be described by characteristics and position and created by composing and decomposing

  • Measurement is used to compare and order objects



Kindergarten
Science

Life Science:  Characteristic Properties of Organisms and Objects (Patterns)

  • Organisms can be described and sorted by their physical characteristics

  • Objects can be sorted by physical properties, which can be observed and measured

Physical Science:  Motion (Change)

  • Objects can move in a variety of ways that can be described by speed and direction

Earth Systems Science: The Sun and Earth (Interdependence)

  • The sun provides heat and light to Earth

Kindergarten
Social Studies

History

  • Ask questions, share information and discuss ideas about the past

  • The first component in the concept of chronology is to place information in sequential order

Geography

  • People belong to different groups and live in different settings around the world that can be found on a map or globe

Economics

  • Ownership as a component of economics

  • Discuss how purchases can be made to meet wants and needs  

Civics

  • Participate in making decisions using democratic traditions

  • Civic participation takes place in multiple groups



Kindergarten
Visual Arts

Observe and Learn to Comprehend

  • Artists and viewers recognize characteristics and expressive features within works of art

  • Personal feelings are described in and through works of art

Envision and Critique to Reflect

  • Identify that art represents and tells the stories of people, places, or things

  • Artists interpret connections to the stories told in and by works of art

Invent and Discover to Create

  • Create two- and three-dimensional work of art based on person relevance

Relate and Connect to Transfer

  • Artists and viewers contribute and connect to their communities


Kindergarten
Music

Expression of Music

  • Perform independently

  • Respond to music with movement

Creation of Music

  • Create music through a variety of experiences

  • Identify simple musical patterns

Theory of Music

  • Comprehension of musical opposites

  • Comprehension of basic elements of musical form

  • Identify different vocal and instrumental tone colors

  • Identify simple rhythmic patterns

Aesthetic Valuation of Music

  • Demonstrate respect for the contribution of others in a musical setting

  • Respond to musical performance at a basic level

  • Recognize and discuss music and celebrations in daily life


Kindergarten
Physical Education

Movement Competence and Understanding

  • Demonstrate body and spatial awareness through safe movement

  • Locate the major parts of the body

Physical and Personal Wellness

  • Understand that physical activity increases the heart rate, making the heart stronger

Emotional and Social Wellness

  • Demonstrate respect for self, others, and equipment 2. Demonstrate the ability to follow directions

Prevention and Risk Management

  • There are no expectations for this standard at this grade level.