- Machias Elementary
- Elementary Curriculum Overview
Kindergarten
Math: Bridges in Mathematics
In kindergarten, children will learn to count to 100 by ones and tens, be able to add and subtract within 10, and develop an understanding of teen numbers are 10 and some more. They will also use mathematical language to describe shapes, weight, and length. The curriculum provides lots of hands-on practice, and opportunities to play math games to help children engage in playful learning. The Math Learning Center has a wide variety of resources for families to engage in fun math activities at home. Common Core Math Standards
Reading: Fountas and Pinnell Classroom
By the end of kindergarten, students will be able to read and understand. We teach our students to use some sight words they have learned, to "sound out" words with short vowels, and use pictures to help understand the meaning of the story. We also provide lots of opportunities to play with letters and sounds such as rhyming games and songs, and read aloud and talk about books daily. Common Core ELA Standards
Writing: Being a Writer
The focus in kindergarten is developing an understanding that writing is a form of communication. Children begin by drawing pictures and labeling the pictures, and they end the year writing 2-3 short sentences on lines related to the pictures they draw. We teach students the difference between fiction and nonfiction, and help children develop confidence in their writing.
Purposeful Play: Play is an important part of our kindergarten classrooms. Students develop social skills, problem-solving, and creativity during our purposeful play time. Teachers facilitate learning by providing activities to engage and challenge students in a playful setting. Examples of play areas in a kindergarten classroom are the block and toy area, dramatic play area, home area, writing area, math area, and art area.
Science: FOSS (Full Options Science System)
Students learn about science and engineering through hands-on, collaborative units rooted in inquiry and discovery. Teachers refer to NGSS Science Standards and use FOSS Science kits to create student-centered learning opportunities that help children learn to problem-solve, communicate and collaborate while learning important scientific concepts. Next Generation Science Standards
Social Studies: Students learn about themselves and others (near & far; now & then) in kindergarten. Teachers use supplemental materials to support the Washington State Social Studies Standards.
Social-Emotional: Second Step
Children learn social-emotional skills in a variety of ways, including the behavior they see modeled by the adults in their lives. Social-emotional skills and concepts are also taught explicitly in the classroom, in much the same way math or reading is taught. Second Step provides whole class lessons in empathy, emotion recognition and management, problem solving, impulse control, calming down, communication and assertiveness.
Music: Spotlight on Music
Our music teachers use Spotlight on Music curriculum to deliver high quality spiraling curriculum. Students learn about, listen to, and perform authentic music while building music and literacy skills. Music Standards
Physical Education: Five for Life Basic PE Curriculum
Our elementary students learn about and practice the five components of fitness, which include cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. They also practice The Skill-Related Components of Fitness: Agility, Reaction Time, Balance, and Coordination. Physical Education Standards