Reading and Phonics

Spring-Ford Area School District uses the Scott-Foresman Reading Program.  Language Activities are a priority in kindergarten.  Through the utilization of literature books, class-made books, Big Books, puppets, tapes, poems and an array of other activities, children will experience a language-rich environment daily.  This setting provides children with the appropriate foundation to eventually become emergent readers.

In addition to the daily language lessons, kindergartners receive explicit instruction in the areas of phonics and phonemic awareness. Each day activities are presented that assist young children in understanding the relationship between the alphabetic symbol (letters) and sounds.  Eventually, children will utilize reading strategies to decode new words

Writing

The writing program builds on what each child already knows.  Writing begins with scribbles and proceeds to lines, circles, random strings of letters, words, spaces, and eventually sentences.  You may hear these “terms” in school during the year…”kid-writing”, “sound writing”, “ book spelling”.  Your children will be encouraged and applauded for all attempts and accomplishments in writing.  Providing a risk-free environment is paramount to your child’s development in the area of writing.  If possible, please provide your child writing tools at home, such as, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.

Mathematics

Spring-Ford Area School District uses the Everyday Math Program (EDM).  EDM involves children in a variety of activities that create a foundation for mathematical understandings.  Children manipulate concrete materials, such as blocks, coins, unifix cubes, and pattern blocks to form mathematical concepts.  Children discover the world of sorting, classifying, patterning, measuring, graphing and estimating.  Literature selections may also focus instruction on specific mathematical concepts.

Computer Education

Each classroom has 4 computers.  Your child will engage in a learning program throughout the year entitled “Odyssey Learning”. Kindergartners use Odyssey to expand and review math and reading concepts that have been taught in the classroom. 

Social Studies and Science   

In social studies and science children learn about themselves, others and the world around them.  Real objects, pictures, films, books, graphs, experiments and field trips are utilized to provide information and opportunities for the children to explore, compare, and experiment.  We use the Houghton-Mifflin Science curriculum.

Music Time and Recess

Children are exposed to a variety of rhyme, rhythm, and songs each week.  This is done through the use of rhythm instruments and audio CDs.  Our goal is to develop an early appreciation of music while having fun and learning.

 Recess varies from day to day depending on our schedule and the weather.  Please dress your child appropriately for the weather.  Open toed shoes are not permitted to be worn to school for safety reasons on the playground.  Recess allows children to develop social skills and gross motor skills.

Physical Education and Art Class 

Your child will receive instruction in physical education and art education once a week.  Please be sure to check your child’s schedule for gym day.  Sneakers are required.  Also, be sure to send in a large t-shirt as an art smock for your child to wear on art day.  Art smocks will be kept in the classroom.

Library

We have library book exchange on a weekly basis.  Please check the schedule for your child’s assigned library day.  Make sure they have their library books in their book bags on that day so they can check out a new book.