This page will inform you of the upcoming curriculum. I will update page each month to keep you in the know! You can visit this page to see what topics we will be covering to help you enhance your child's learning at home. There are many different ways to connect to learning! You can check out different books at the library on the science or geography topics or simply check comprehension through discussion. Students will love to share all they know!
As our Kindergarteners already know, we are learners every day!
A Peek into Mrs. Rogge's Room
Here is what’s new in our world!
Morning Work - Scholars will practice math concepts each day in their morning work. We will use morning work to reinforce previously learned math concepts. We will also continue doing a “Daily Question” to review concepts of time and have added counting coins to this practice. Research shows this strengths content retention and helps make it stick!
Bits of Intelligence - The bits of intelligence are flashcards that help students learn letters, numbers, and science or geography information. This month the bits include single letter phonograms, multi-letter phonograms, teen numbers, and information from our Science and Geography units.
Handwriting & Literacy – As you may have noticed from our homework, we have now begun learning multi-letter phonograms. These are letter combinations that work together to make sounds. Students must underline the focus phonogram in every word they write on this homework. For example, if the homework is writing words with the “er” phonogram, students will be expected to underline the “er” when they write the word paper. Writing should also be their best and most beautiful writing, just as in previous homework assignments.
Please continue to practice proper pencil grip when writing. Have your child repeat after you before they start to write:
Pencil Grip Chant
"I am holding my pencil" Check To Correct "Between my thumb and my middle finger" Check to Correct "My pointer finger has fainted" Check To Correct "I push back into my holder" Check to correct "My feet are on the floor" Check To Correct "My back is straight" Check To Correct "I am ready to write"
Please be sure to have your scholar write his or her first and last name on homework! This is now a graded part of handwriting homework!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me!
Mathematics - We have been working hard on different ways to solve addition problem. We have used number bonds to show how two parts add together to make the whole or the sum. We have also begun using number lines to count up to the sum of an equation. Before the end of Kindergarten we will introduce subtraction equations and even spend some time introducing word problems.
Science – At the end of April we learned about the water cycle and different kinds of clouds we see in the sky. We learned about Cirrus, cumulus, nimbus and stratus clouds.
On Grandparent’s & Special Person’s Day students planted sunflower seeds with their guest. We have really enjoyed watching them spout and soon we will learn about the parts of a plant.
Our last science unit of the school year will be all about life cycles. Kindergartners will learn about the life cycle of pumpkins, frog, and caterpillars. We will even witness metamorphosis in a lifecycle first hand as we raise caterpillars and watch them change into butterflies!
Geography- We have begun learning the countries of Europe. To wrap up our study of all the contents students will research a country. We will celebrate and share our heritage and interests with a multi-cultural feast day. Students are invited to bring a food item from their country of study to share with the class. We will have fun sampling a variety of food and learning about different cultures from around the globe!
Recall Books - Recall books are chapter books that I read aloud to the class during our afternoon rest time. Students have been enjoying Marry Poppins by P.L. Travers. Our last book of the school year will be James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl.
Learning Labs - Learning labs are activities that students can work on when finished with their work. As the students become more familiar with each lab, the options of labs will grow. We will be working in more learning labs tied to literacy and mathematical development. As classroom content changes, so do the learning labs. So student will be able to take out some old favorites as well as new labs relating to current units. These activities help us practice what we are learning throughout the day.
Virtues - We will discuss Nova’s virtues and what it means to show your virtuous behavior each and every day. The virtues are included in our BITs and our kindergarten song. I make a point to highlight a student if they are using specific virtues properly. This month we are focusing on the virtue of JUSTICE. Please discuss how your child can show justice in their work at home.
All of Nova's virtues are:
JUSTICE FORTITUDE PRUDENCE TEMPERANCE
« Please reinforce this at home and ask your child what each virtue means. Brainstorm examples of good choices at home and school.
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum map may be viewed at http://www.novaclassical.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/002.pdf. A primary focus of the Kindergarten curriculum is literacy development. This is done through read-alouds, Direct Reading Instruction, and our writing program.
The mathematical portion of the curriculum focuses on number sense and basic computation children need to understand all mathematical concepts and covers a variety of challenging topics.
Science and history are woven into lessons throughout the day and allow the students to explore the different habitats and continents of the world, in addition to several other engaging topics.
The curriculum at Nova is very rigorous and teachers have high expectations for each and every student. Field Trips or Walking Trips that support the curriculum may be included to support particular units. With balanced instruction, including whole group, independent work time, and learning lab activities, students learn through a multi-sensory method that is not only very engaging, but also meets each student’s unique learning needs.