Kindergarten Specials
NFS Curriculum Update :: December, 2015
ART
Kindergarten artists will learn about the process of glazing. They will work with both underglazes and true glazes and see how the kiln firing process can change color and finish. It is quite a magical thing! And we have so much to glaze. Our bowls, tiles, and creatures will all be ready for the holidays!
LIBRARY
Kindergarten begins a unit on pattern and rhythm in books. Pattern and rhythm in picture book texts provide shape, order, and expectations. We will read examples of “ping pong stories” (stories set up as point-counterpoint) and stories similar to songs, with verse and chorus.
MUSIC
Students will continue to sing, dance and play instruments utilizing the philosophies of Kodaly, Orff and Dalcroze. We will be reading some holiday themed books and singing many holiday themed songs. Students will continue to focus on steady beat, quarter notes and rests, eighth notes and half notes. Our December composer of the month is Charles Ives.
P.E.
In PE we will continue to develop our physical fitness and work on muscular strength with a focus on core. This month our new fitness exercise will be stretching our body into the shape of a bridge. December is the start of our basketball unit and many of the classes will focus on various basketball skills, drills, and activities. We will practice the skills of dribbling, passing, and shooting. The class will participate in activities like Dribble Mania and Red Light/Green Light Dribble. Fun non-basketball activities include Baby in the Air and Snowball Alley, as well as a real life sized board game called Candy Land! In December students will again have the opportunity to use the rock wall and the month will end with holiday games and activities.
SCIENCE
This month students will be exploring the water cycle. As we learn about evaporation, condensation and precipitation, we will dance to the water cycle boogie. As we explore condensation, we will also look at clouds and make one in a bottle. Then, as the temperature starts to drop, we will learn about measuring temperature with a thermometer. Students will learn that when it is hot, the mercury goes up, and when it is cold, the temperature goes down. They will also learn that 32 degrees Fahrenheit is the magic number at which water freezes.
SPANISH
In December Kindergarten will finish their unit “Los animales del Zoo." In the coming weeks we will work on a small speaking project to complete the unit that will incorporate naming their favorite animal and giving a simple description. Wrapping up this unit and discussing “La Navidad”and “Januca” (Hanukkah) in Spanish will take us through to the New Year.