What is phonemic awareness?  A "phoneme" is simply a sound. (The word "CAT" has 3 phonemes or sounds; C-A-T.  The word shoe has 2 phonemes or sounds; sh-oe.)  Phonological awareness is simply a gradual progression through these different levels, resulting in reading.

Level 1; rhyming; focus on the ending sound; ale/tale.

Level 2; alliteration; focus on the beginning sounds; dog/dirt.

Level 3; sentence segmenting; focus on breaking up the words; clap each word in a sentence.

Level 4; syllable blend/segment; focus on individual letter sounds; D-O-G.

Level 5; Onset Rime blending and segmenting; the onset is the beginning consonants of a word-the rime is the rest of the word, beginning with a vowel. Ex; sh/op or p/uppy.

Level 6; Segmenting of individual phonemes; single letters make a word; D-O-G is dog, and T-H-A-T is that.

Math: 

By the end of the Kindergarten year, your child should be able to do the following;

Count to 100 orally.

Write numbers, recognize numbers, represent numbers to 20. 

Identify basic geometric shapes and 3-d solids.

Read a simple bar or picture graph.

Identify fractions; half and whole.

Create and/or extend an ABAB pattern

Add/subtract with models/manipulatives.

Sequence events.

Sort and classify items.

Use simple problem solving strategies.

On most days, our math is taught during calendar time and during a quick "mini-lesson", which is followed by small group or individual exploration in math centers.

These subjects are broken into six 6-week units.

1st 6 weeks; "Off to a Beary Good Start"; making friends, getting along, why rules are important, authority figures, and safety issues.

2nd 6 weeks; "Systems"; systems consist of several parts working together; words, artwork, and  a classroom are all systems.  Also the 5 senses.

3rd 6 weeks; "Communication"; gathering information, making decisions, plan and investigate; also rocks, soil, and water.

4th 6 weeks; "Diversity"; Texas , patriotism, weather, healthy habits.

5th 6 weeks; "Connections"; customs/traditions, living vs. non-living things, human characteristics.

6th 6 weeks; "Continuity and Change"; life cycles, plants, and basic needs of living organisms.

Watch our weekly newsletter (each Thursday) for regular updates in each subject area.