1. 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!

2. 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 4th
grade level.
 A class of 15 children typically reads over
1800 books independently.

3. 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

4. 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
TheAlphabetic Principle(letters andphonetic sounds)
DailyWritingExperiencesLiterature/ReadingInstruction

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. It works!
Sept
.
Mar.
Sept.
Mar.

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. “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!