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Kindergarten Curriculum

What is StoryTown by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt?
 

StoryTown is a research-based developmental reading and language arts program for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. The foundation of the program is its high-quality children’s literature, as well as informational texts.

 

StoryTown features an organized, direct approach to teaching reading. The program emphasizes explicit, systematic instruction in the areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and writing.

 

The program provides ample practice and application of these skills using a variety of meaningful tools and activities suited to different types of learners and classroom settings to reinforce instruction and learning.

 

What is “Math Expressions” by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt?
 

Math Expressions develops deep conceptual understanding and fluency by using objects, drawings, conceptual language, and real-world situations to help students build mathematical ideas that make sense to them.

Math Expressions balances deep understanding with essential skills and problem solving. Students invent, question, and explore, but also learn and practice important math strategies.  Through daily Math Talk, students explain their methods and increase fluency.

 

SKILLS:
 

Many new skills are introduced in Pre K/Kindergarten. The following skills should be mastered by the end of the year:

 

LANGUAGE AND READING SKILLS
 

• Recognizes and writes all uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet

• Associates sounds with all letters

• Identifies and produces rhyming words

• Blends and segments the sounds in words

• Recognizes high-frequency words

• Reads simple decodable unfamiliar words

• Retells unfamiliar stories in sequence

• Distinguishes non-fiction from fictional text

• Identifies parts of a book

• Writes first and last names correctly

• Writes simple stories using age-appropriate spelling

 

MATH SKILLS
 

• Demonstrates the ability to represent a problem

• Demonstrates how to represent, identify, and count whole numbers

• Demonstrates how to compare, order, and round whole numbers

• Understands the concept of equivalence

• Demonstrates the ability to add and subtract whole numbers

• Recognizes how to measure length, weight, mass and capacity

• Recognizes how to measure time, temperature, and money

• Demonstrates the ability to identify and classify 2-D and 3-D figures

• Understands the concepts of symmetry and transformations

• Understands the concepts of similarity and congruence

• Collects and analyzes data

• Demonstrates an understanding of patterns and sequencing

 

TIPS FOR PARENTS (HOME INVOLVEMENT IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS!):
 

• Set aside a regular time to read with your child each day.

• Sign up for a library card and visit your local library regularly.

• Model good reading habits.

• Point out printed words in your environment.

• Have reading and writing materials readily available. (paper, pencils, crayons, markers)

• Play with sounds, sing songs, and read poems.

 

HARCOURT STORYTOWN WEBSITES:
 

The following websites are available to help you become more familiar with the Harcourt program as well as provide your child with additional resources to practice literacy skills.

 

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