Kindergarten Language Arts Program

“The more that you read,

the more things you will know. The more you

learn, the more places

you’ll go.”Dr. Seuss, I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!

The stories are true…

Year after year, we graduate many successful readers from kindergarten.

From 2009-2014, 56% children were reading at the 1st grade level, 16% at the 2nd grade level, 4% at the 3rd grade level, and 5% at or above the 4thgrade level.

A class of 15 children typically reads over 1800 books independently.

What’s our recipe for success?

Our program is rooted in: Concrete, up to date

information about literacy Kiddie Country’s excellent

literacy traditions Teacher expertise

And features: Three key ingredients Differentiated instruction

The 3 ingredients are…

Phonics, reading instruction, and writing experiences are offered on a daily basis during our 45 minute literacy period

Systematic direct instruction is blended with authentic reading and writing tasks

Each component is tailored to meet individual needs

The Alphabetic Principle (letters and phonetic sounds)

Daily Writing ExperiencesLiterature/Reading Instruction

Three key ingredients and differentiated instruction make the difference.

But what IS differentiated instruction ?

“Differentiation can be defined as a way of teaching in which teachers proactively modify curriculum, teaching methods, resources, learning activities, and student products. The needs of individual students and/or small groups of students are addressed to maximize the learning opportunity for each student in the classroom.”

Carol Tomlinson

How does differentiated instruction help my child?

Differentiated instruction enables us to offer appropriate instruction for your child whether s/he is an advanced reader or mastering letter names.

Every child deserves a perfect fit with regard to literacy instruction. Not too hard and not too easy…because one size doesn’t fit all.

Ingredient 1: Literature/Reading Instruction

Quality books are read to the children multiple times each day

Children read independently using a wide range of leveled texts

Guided reading instruction is conducted in small groups

Comprehension strategies are both modeled and intentionally developed

How do we differentiate reading instruction?

Small group and individual instruction Insightful, frequent, and personalized

assessment Student/teacher ratios that allow for these

types of instruction and assessment Materials on many levels, from preschool

through grade 6 Flexible grouping

Ingredient 2: Writing

Given the opportunity, writing develops naturally like language. Children are encouraged to write using letters or phonetic sounds.

Spacing, punctuation, etc. are modeled and reinforced as is appropriate.

Students learn to spell common sight words. Daily writing experiences build on our phonics program.

How do we differentiate writing?

Open ended activities Mini lessons for small groups or individuals

on spacing, punctuation, applying letter sound knowledge, capitalization, etc.

Personal attention

It works!

Sept.

Mar.

Sept.

Mar.

Ingredient 3: Alphabet & Phonics

Goals include:– Rapidly naming letters– Discerning beginning, ending, and medial sounds– Mastering consonants and digraphs– Mastering short vowels as well as long vowels

and other vowels when appropriate– Using these phonetic skills to spell words and

decode unknown words

We use the Phonovisual program, an organized method of teaching phonics.

How do we differentiate?

By adjusting the content…there is no need to learn sounds that you already know!

Reviewing phonetic sounds though games in small groups. The content can then be tailored.

Through open ended writing experiences Individual attention when coaching your child to use

phonetic sounds to decode unknown words

“Oh magic hour, when a child first knows she can read printed words!”

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, 1943

Blend reading instruction, writing instruction, and phonics instruction on a daily basis

Add differentiated lessons for that “just right” fit Mix thoroughly in a language rich classroom

environment Sprinkle in scores of bright, engaging books Drizzle with fun That’s our recipe for creating successful readers and

writers!