An Overview of Kindergarten

Reading
  • knows both lowercase and uppercase letters, by name and sound (to include short and long vowel sounds)
  • identifies rhyming words
  • answers simple questions about a story
  • can distinguish between fact and fiction
  • can accurately retell a story (beginning, middle, end)
  • can read frequently used sight words
    Writing
  • prints letters accurately
  • prints numbers accurately
  • write first name and last name accurately (using upper and lower case letters)
  • writes left to right, top to bottom
  • uses appropriate spacing between letters and words
  • uses sounds to spell
  • can identify and write beginning, middle, and ending sounds of words
  • begins to memorize frequently used sight words

Motor Skills

  • can hop, skip, catch a ball, and bounce then catch a ball
  • holds scissors correctly and cuts with ease
  • holds pencil correctly
  • overall demonstrates good motor control

Behaviors that Promote Learning

  • follows directions
  • can work independently
  • can work in large and small groups
  • displays confidence and a desire to do her/his best
  • takes turns, shares
  • listens while others are talking
  • has good attending skills (eye contact, no distracting movements)

Communication Skills

  • uses language to interact appropriately with others (e.g. verbally resolves conflicts)
  • uses observation to accurately explain what he/she sees
  • asks questions appropriate to topic
  • listens without interrupting
  • uses pictures and/or letters to convey a message
  • tells personal stories, retell events
  • contributes ideas to a group
  • uses complete sentences
  • recites address, phone number, and birthday

Math

  • counts to 100 by ones, fives, and tens
  • counts to 12 by twos
  • writes numbers up to 30
  • recognizes numbers up to 100
  • understands relationship between a set of objects and the numerical symbol
  • reads +, -, and = symbols
  • uses a variety of approaches to tell stories involving addition and subtraction
  • tells time to the hour
  • identifies pennies, nickels, and dimes
  • identifies geometric shapes
  • reads a calendar -knows days of week, months, year
  • sorts and classifies objects
  • identifies and constructs patterns
  • knows equal vs. unequal
  • creates/interprets simple graphs

How Parents can Help

  • consider yourself a partner in your child’s education
  • attend parent/teacher conferences
  • notify teacher/school if there are any changes at home that may affect your child at school
  • read with your child daily
  • have your child observe you read daily
  • talk about things you have read
  • play with your child
  • regular visits to the community library
  • help your child organize, sort objects (toys, buttons, rocks)
  • ask your child about his/her day
  • listen to your child’s stories
  • interact with your child while doing regular activities (washing a car, cooking, cleaning)
  • keep your child on a regular schedule - be consistent with mealtimes, bath time, bedtime, etc.
  • be consistent with discipline

Childhood is a journey not a race.

The information provided here was taken from the Washington State Framework of Essential Learning Requirements (EALRs), distributed by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). This framework is the basis for which the WASL (Washington Assessment for Student Learning) tests academic progress at grades 4, 7, and 10. A complete listing of the EALRs is available for your viewing at the school office.