Lower School Curriculum PreK-1 | Mounds Park Academy

	PreKindergarten	Kindergarten	First Grade
Language Arts	Letter recognition Exposure to letter sounds Introduction to rhyme and alliteration Left to right progression Journal writing (drawing) Begin letter and number writing New vocabulary Retelling stories Match words to picture	Letter Recognition Letter Sounds Phonemic Awareness Identify Vowels and Consonant Rhyming/Word Families Digraphs Blends Comprehension Writing letters Writing sight words Writing sentences using temporary spelling	1. Reading – phonics, sight words, decoding 2. Reading Comprehension 3. Read Aloud Skills – fluency: expression, pace, and pauses 4. Writing – D’Nealian handwriting, grammar, poetry, sentence writing, story writing, conventions (punctuation and capitalization) 5. Spelling
Math (Singapore Math)	Counting using 1-1 correspondence to 10 and 20 Identify one-dimensional geometric shapes Patterns Number identification Sorting Measurement (standard and non-standard)	Sorting Shapes Concepts of time Graphing Patterns Number Sense Cooking and Baking Skip counting Writing Numbers 1-100 Geometric Shapes Estimating Number Bonds Number Sentences Money Awareness	1. Math Number Sense (numbers to 120) 2. Math Patterns 3. Graphing 4. Math Geometric Shapes 5. Math Operations: Addition and Subtraction (within 40) 6. Time Concepts 7. Place Value 8. Problem Solving Skills
Science	Observation Prediction Exploration Cause and effect Living vs. Non-living Weather and seasons Plants Animals	Body Care Inquiring Observations Predictions Weather Seasons Plants/Gardening Animals Cooking and Baking	1. Life Science: Frogs and Toads/Insects 2. Physical Science: Balance and Motion 3. Earth Science: Sand, Silt and Pebbles 4. Nutrition and Dental Health
Social Studies	1. Diversity 2. Families 3. Shelter around the World 4. Understand four basic emotions 5. Conflict resolution/problem solving guidance	Self-Awareness CHAMP and Diversity Awareness Families Neighborhoods Community Members Maps State Countries Continents/Oceans	1. U.S. Symbols 2. Communities and Mapping
World Languages (French or Spanish)	Begins in Kindergarten	1. Listening and speaking 2. Language acquisition through songs, games, poems, stories, and TPR 3. Thematic units reflect the National Foreign Language Standards. 4. Examples of thematic units: colors, numbers, food, and greetings.	1. Listening and speaking 2. Language acquisition through songs, games, poems, stories, TPR, and TPRS. 3. Thematic units reflect the National Foreign Language Standards. 4. Examples of thematic units: calendar, seasons, food, and cultural topics
Health and Physical Education	Gross motor coordination Cooperative games Ball skills Spatial awareness Movement exploration	1. Fitness Activities 2. Locomotor and Non-locomotor Skills 3. Spatial Awareness 4. Ball Skills 5. Cooperative Activities 6. Movement Exploration	1. Fitness Activities 2. Locomotor and Non-locomotor Skills 3. Spatial Awareness 4. Ball Skills 5. Cooperative Activities 6. Movement Exploration
Music	Singing Play instruments Create music Respond to music Internalize music Movement to music	1. Children actively engage in music making through the Orff-Schulwerk process 2. Songs, dances, and singing games are drawn from world cultures and the diverse music of the United States 3. Children share music and movement they’ve learned at informal and formal performances throughout the school year	1. Children actively engage in music making through the Orff-Schulwerk process 2. Songs, dances, and singing games are drawn from world cultures and the diverse music of the United States 3. Children share music and movement they’ve learned at informal and formal performances throughout the school year 4. Music literacy begins with the separation of rhythmic and melodic notation
Visual Arts	Experience art in classroom setting Express creativity Use different art mediums Artist study	1. Articulate/know the elements of art 2. Experience use of elements in art expression 3. Understand how art tells a story (expresses ideas) 4. Learn that art has many answers 5. Learn to look at and talk about art 6. Learn to look at and talk about art of other artists/cultures etc. 7. Participate in “sharing our work” 8. Practice using art tools and materials	1. Articulate/know the elements of art 2. Use the elements of art in art expressions 3. Understand how art shows our ideas 4. Learn that art has many answers 5. Participate in looking at and talking about art 6. Learn to look at and talk about art of other artists/cultures etc. 7. Participate in “sharing our work” 8. Practice using art tools and materials 9. Learn new art skills
Drama	Drama Instruction begins in Kindergarten.	Lower School Creative Dramatics Outcomes Creative drama is an integrative process that develops imaginative thought and creative expression in children. Through use of movement, pantomime, story dramatization, improvisation, and group discussion, children acquire language and communication skills, social awareness, problem-solving abilities, self-concept enhancement, an understanding of theatre, and life skills. The principal goal of creative dramatics is to guide a child to self-fulfillment through theatre techniques, not to nurture professional child actors.
Library	1. Read for enjoyment 2. Book selection and checkout process	Research Skills Critical Thinking Skills Ethical Development and Literacy
Technology	1. Introduction to simple computer operations 2. Using age-appropriate education programs	1. Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. 2. Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. 3. Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively. 4. Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. 5. Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. 6. Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.

Lower School Curriculum (PreK-1)