PROGRAMMING AND CURRICULUM
Effective Communicator The Effective Communicator writing program aligns critical writing, reading, listening and speaking tasks to the New York State English Language Arts standards at all grade levels, beginning with kindergarten. This program helps ensure that your child is receiving coordinated ELA instruction that will prepare them for success on the state exam that is given in the fourth grade, as well as off-year assessments in the third grade.
Open Court Reading The Open Court Reading Program uses a variety of literature to support thematic learning units. It is a research-based program that focuses mainly on phonemic awareness and phonics skills at the kindergarten level. Students learn and practice visualizing, predicting, clarifying, questioning, and summarizing, as well as making inquiries, making connections, and developing comprehension skills.Essential writing and language arts skills and strategies are the focus of this program.
Social Studies The Open Court Reading Program integrates the study of a variety of social studies concepts in kindergarten, including citizenship, community helpers, holidays and traditions.
Science The science curriculum is supported by BOCES science kits throughout the year. Some of the topics that are covered in kindergarten include the five senses, life cycles, and plants.
Mathematics At the kindergarten level, instruction in mathematics includes recognizing, counting, and writing the numbers 1-100, and identifying colors and shapes, and a variety of calendar activities. They practice matching numerals with quantities, sequencing shapes, copying patterns, and sorting & classifying. Students are also introduced to the concepts of adding or taking away, telling time, and counting money. Students use a variety of manipulatives to engage them in learning these essential mathematics skills.
“SPECIALS”
ART Kindergarten students have art class once a week. Art classes help students develop their fine motor skills, provide exposure to other cultures and the work of famous artists, and give students the experience of using different types of artistic mediums.
MUSIC Vocal music classes are held twice a week. In addition to singing and moving to a variety of songs, students learn about different kinds of music, music history and have the opportunity to enjoy the art of music.
GYM Kindergarten students attend physical education classes two times a week. Physical education classes help students become aware of their body parts, develop large muscle coordination, teach sportsmanship and teamwork, and encourage healthy life-long habits. Only a doctor’s note can excuse a child from physical education class. All students are required to wear sneakers and to be appropriately dressed for physical activity.
LIBRARY Students attend library class once a week. Library classes encourage reading and enrich, develop, and support the educational programs of the school. It teaches students the skills that are necessary to become lifelong library users.
