Kindergarten Curriculum
Curriculum Statement
The York Suburban School District is dedicated to a well-rounded education for all students. The District implements a challenging curriculum that is aligned to the Pennsylvania Core Standards and fulfills the District's mission. Each discipline is carefully studied by teams of experienced teachers and administrators to maintain academic rigor, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Additionally, the York Suburban School District is dedicated to providing our 21st Century graduates with the knowledge, abilities, and habits to enter and complete postsecondary education or training programs that will move into successful careers. To achieve this outcome, students must acquire robust employability skills: the ability to communicate, solve problems, think critically, persevere, set goals, and work in teams. These skills are essential to equipping students to pursue their career opportunities with confidence and contribute positively to their communities. Each grade level is committed to building the aforementioned capacities in all students; as such, these skills are skillfully woven into the curriculum.
Kindergarten Curriculum Overview
The kindergarten Language Arts curriculum follows the Pennsylvania Core Standards of teaching children to read, write, speak, and listen. These skills are incorporated into an evidence-based reading framework that includes shared reading, guided reading, self-selected reading, writing, and word work.
Throughout the school year, kindergarten students will achieve the following.
- Utilize book handling skills
- Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print
- Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes)
- Learn to read independently by using before, during, and after reading strategies
- Increase ability to figure out new words through analysis of word parts and patterns
- Read emergent-reader text with purpose and understanding
- Read and apply new vocabulary
- Develop comprehension through the application of focus skills and strategies
- Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding across all academic areas
- Read all types of literature with understanding for a variety of purposes (with prompting and support)
- Write in a variety of forms such as narrative, informational, and persuasive
- Learn to choose a topic and compose a writing piece
- Focus on a topic, respond to questions and suggestions from peers, and add details to strengthen writing as needed (with guidance and support from adults and peers)
- Participate in individual or shared research projects on a topic of interest
- Learn to listen and respond to others in small and larger groups