KINDERGARTEN FIVE
Overview
Students in Kindergarten at OCA experience a balanced and hands-on program full of fun and enriching strategies that serve to meet the needs of each learner.
Bible
We use the Bob Jones University curriculum and teach Bible stories that feature both Old and New Testament characters and stories that reinforce Biblical virtues and Christian values.
Phonics and Reading
We find that a balanced and differentiated approach to teaching our kindergartners to read works well. We use the Science of Reading for phonics to teach phonemic awareness and phonological skills. We also use songs, poems, and guided practice. Another component is through small group instruction using a variety of strategies. Finally, literacy centers and iPads apps during computer time are used to reinforce previously taught skills.
Math
We use a hands-on approach in teaching our Mindful math curriculum. Each new concept is taught as a whole group using direct instruction with songs or other engaging activities. Math centers and individual instruction are also utilized to help our kindergartners learn to apply the new concepts.
Language Arts
In Kindergarten at OCA, language arts primarily focuses on the beginnings of sentence structure, along with an introduction of the different literary genres. Our students also learn to form words and letters in complete sentences through differentiated instruction.
Science and Social Studies
Science and social studies are integrated through our curriculum. We study topics such as zoo animals, life cycles, scientific matter, space, geography, anthropology, weather, seasons of the year, and community helpers.
By the end of K5, students will:
Bible
- Begin to understand the consequences of sin and personal choices
- Begin to understand the life story of Jesus
- Be able to recite a Scripture verse for every letter of the alphabet, Psalm 100, Psalm 23, and John 3:16-17
- Understand the Creation sequence and God as the Creator of the universe
- Understand a variety of Old and New testament stories
Phonics/Reading
- Apply top to bottom; left to right, front to back when reading
- Recognize and apply 21 consonant sounds, digraphs, two and three letter blends, short and long vowel sounds, and vowel combinations
- Read 90% of grade level Dolch word list
- Begin to orally recount details and sequences of story events
- Indentify rhymes and words that are opposite
- Fluently blends long and short vowel sounds
Math
- Recognize and write numbers 0-100
- Count to 100 by 1s, 5s, and 10s
- Count by 2s to 20
- Recognize place values up to 100
- Apply the addition and subtraction process for sums and minuends up to 10 through the use of manipulatives
- Understand and apply length, weight, and quantity with regard to more or less
Language Arts
- Use correct posture and grip
- Form upper and lower case manuscript letters
- Begin to write complete sentences
- Begin to apply the three types of sentences
- Use correct speech in front of an audience
- Begin to use capitalization and ending punctuation
- Listen to the designated speaker and follow three-step directions
Science
- Begins to collect and observe data
- Recognize life cycles and stages for a variety of plants and animals
- Begin to comprehend the cause and effect of weather
- Identify the cause of day and night
- Identify the five senses
Social Studies
- Identify their role as a member of home and school
- Identify leaders in home, school, and community
- Understand major holidays
- Begin to interpret simple maps
- Begin to understand various cultures