KINDERGARTEN 2

The work conducted in Kindergarten 2 builds directly upon the foundational skills developed in the previous year, broadening the ideas and concepts introduced in the early years. By the completion of Kindergarten 2, the children will be able to achieve the following goals:

1) Communication, Language, and Literacy

A. Listening

• • Listen attentively to speakers.
  • Understand the importance of being a good listener, with constant reinforcement in class using correct models and illustrating the consequences of not listening.
  • Display courtesy when others are speaking, such as by not interrupting.
  • Recognize and sort some words by common initial sounds, like ‘cat,’ ‘car,’ ‘can,’ ‘call,’ etc., using word games, matching exercises, and nonsense poems for reinforcement.
  • Identify rhyming words through rhyming games and traditional rhymes, such as ‘Miss Molly Had a Dolly’ and ‘Incy Wincy Spider.’
  • Engage in simple sound-based games.
  • Participate in musical games, following the rhythm and melody.
  • Comprehend and act on simple oral instructions.
  • Listen to stories and songs from recordings or read by a teacher, demonstrating understanding by answering follow-up questions and being encouraged to ask questions during the storytelling.
  • Memorize the names of classmates and teachers.
  • Respond appropriately to questions and engage in conversation.

B. Speaking

• • Speak clearly and distinctly, with ample opportunities provided during story-time and show-and-tell to enhance confidence and promote clarity of speech.
  • Practice taking turns in conversations, both speaking and listening to others.
  • Express ideas in complete sentences, for example, saying ‘It’s a big red car’ instead of just ‘red car.’
  • Utilize polite language in communication.
  • Engage in creative drama, puppetry, and role-playing activities.
  • Contribute spontaneously in speaking situations.

C. Reading

• • Interpret images to glean meaning.
  • Arrange pictures sequentially to narrate a story.
  • Identify similarities and differences in colors, shapes, letters, and orientations.
  • Understand that printed words are visual representations of spoken language, demonstrated through activities like story reading, name writing, and other exercises.
  • Practice reading from left to right.
  • Match words with corresponding pictures, focusing on basic three-letter words like ‘cat.’
  • Recognize words denoting numbers and colors.
  • Pair initial letter sounds with the appropriate pictures.
  • Determine the main idea depicted in images.
  • Make predictions about simple ‘What happens next?’ scenarios, both verbally and visually.
  • Differentiate between real and fictional events.
  • Learn the standard sounds of consonants and vowels from A to Z.
  • Retain what has been read through Q&A sessions following storytime.
  • Foster a love of books and a keenness to read.
  • Start to recognize basic sight words from the Dolch sight word lists.
  • Recognize their own names and start to become familiar with the names of classmates.

D. Writing

• • By Preschool 2, students should be quite familiar with the correct formation of the lowercase alphabet and will begin to recognize and write basic words.
  • Capitalize proper names and the pronoun ‘I.’
  • Write from left to right.
  • Hold writing instruments with correct grip and posture.
  • Space letters and words appropriately.
  • Position letters correctly on the line.
  • Maintain proper sitting posture and hand positioning while writing.
  • Trace fundamental strokes used in writing numbers and letters.
  • Identify and write both uppercase and lowercase letters of the manuscript alphabet accurately.
  • Write their own names.
  • Take pride in producing clear, attractive, and legible handwriting.

E. Spelling

• • Understand that words are composed of different letters arranged in sequence.
  • Memorize the order of the alphabet.

2) Science/Health

A. Animals

Students will have the opportunity to care for and observe a variety of animals, depending on the season, the current topic, and their availability. For example, during the Spiders and Insects unit, a small habitat may be established in the classroom for observing a range of insects.

• • Name and categorize a wide array of animals.
  • Imitate and describe the characteristics of selected animals.
  • Recognize the habitats of certain animals.
  • Develop a fundamental understanding of the diets of various animals through observation and directed learning.
  • Identify products that we obtain from animals.
  • Pair juvenile animals with their parents and explore the life cycles of specific animals, such as the butterfly’s transformation from egg to adulthood.
  • Illustrate and annotate various weather conditions.
  • Classify samples of matter, such as recognizing water, tea, and milk as liquids.
  • Distinguish and sort physical attributes including shape, size, texture, and scent.
  • Identify body parts and begin to explain their functions, such as hearing with ears and smelling with noses.
  • Monitor growth in height and weight throughout the year; this data is charted and recorded from the student’s entry into preschool to allow them to observe their own development.
  • Differentiate between healthy and unhealthy habits and discuss ways to improve them.
  • Engage in conversations about the significance of balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.
  • Learn how to care for their skin, eyes, ears, and teeth.
  • Practice and understand the importance of safe behaviors.

3) Mathematics

• Learn to identify left and right through songs like ‘The Hokey Pokey’ and games such as ‘Simon Says.’
• Categorize objects by color, size, and shape.
• Group objects by other shared characteristics.
• Recognize and extend basic patterns, starting with shapes and images and advancing to numbers and letters, for example, a sequence of ‘1 2 3 1 2 3’, and so on.
• Determine if sets contain an equal number of objects.
• Compare two sets to identify which has more or fewer objects.
• Use a physical or visual model to solve problems.
• Recognize and count sets of objects ranging from 1 to 10.
• Write numerals corresponding to sets of 1 to 10 objects.
• Sequence and recognize numerals from 1 to 10.
• Match words to the numerals for numbers 1 through 5.
• Understand comparatives and superlatives related to size and shape, such as ‘big, bigger, biggest,’ which can be introduced through stories like ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears.’
• Identify basic shapes and connect them to everyday objects.
• Follow verbal and written instructions to draw basic shapes.
• Group similar shapes into sets.

4) Social Studies

• Understand and accept responsibilities as a family member, exploring the concept of family roles through discussion and role-playing activities. Students are encouraged to care for younger peers and to view the preschool community as an extended family.
• Identify the roles and functions of family members.
• Take responsibility for the upkeep of personal spaces and possessions at home and school.
• Practice good manners across various settings, including at home, school, and in public places.
• Recognize family recreational activities, such as shopping or watching TV.
• Demonstrate the ability to share with others.
• Work cooperatively within a group.
• Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate behaviors at home, focusing on safety and manners.
• Start to understand and articulate the expected behaviors of oneself and teachers.
• Familiarize with different areas within the school through regular tours, discussing their observations and the purpose of each room.
• Learn to identify some teachers and administrative staff.
• Recognize basic occupations from images and describe their primary roles, for instance, a doctor is someone who cares for sick people.
• Discuss the work done by familiar individuals, like parents.
• Learn appropriate interactions with strangers.

5) Music

• Sing with expression to convey emotions and enhance musical experiences.
• Learn to distinguish between musical tones and other sounds or noise.
• Develop attentive listening skills to appreciate various elements of music.
• Respond to music with large, free movements to express rhythm and feeling.
• Actively participate in action songs and singing games that encourage musical interaction.
• Practice keeping a steady beat on rhythm instruments, reinforcing the concept of tempo.
• Learn the lyrics and melodies of a basic repertoire of age-appropriate songs to build a foundation in music.

6) Art

• Learn the proper use of different art materials.
• Work both independently and as part of a team to create artwork.
• Explore a variety of artistic media and techniques.
• Create art that represents recognizable objects using different materials.
• Express themselves freely and creatively through art.

7) Physical Education

• Develop skills in ball control, specifically in catching and throwing.
• Learn to kick both stationary and moving balls.
• Engage in group games, adhering to instructions both in the classroom and outdoors.
• Cultivate a fondness for swimming and actively participate in swimming activities.

8) Thai Language and Culture

• Practice proper Thai greetings and behaviors.
• Understand the significance of the King and Queen of Thailand and demonstrate respect for national customs and traditions.
• Recognize the Thai national flag.
• Learn the Thai alphabet.
• Identify common Thai fruits and flowers.
• Learn to articulate numbers and colors in Thai.