4K Class Size
Typically 4K classrooms in the Franklin Public School District will have 17 – 24 children with two staff.
Literacy
The literacy component of an FPS 4K curriculum will be based in Reading and Writing Workshop from Teachers College at Columbia University. The Reading and Writing Workshop Model is a structured time for the teaching and learning of literacy instruction. The primary focus of the Workshop Model is to differentiate instruction to accommodate the learning needs of all students while fostering a love of reading and writing in a literacy-rich environment.
Within the literacy workshop, children will experience the following:
● Listen and respond to communications with others.
● Follow directions of increasing complexity.
● Use vocalizations and spoken language to communicate. Language Form (Syntax: rule system for combining words, phrases, and sentences, includes parts of speech, word order, and sentence structure)
● Use vocalizations and spoken language to communicate. Language Content (Semantics: rule system for establishing the meaning of words, individually and in combination)
● Use vocalizations and spoken language to communicate. Language Function (Pragmatics: rules governing the use of language in context)
● Develop an ability to detect, manipulate, or analyze the auditory parts of spoken language.
● Understand that the alphabet represents the sounds of spoken language and the letters of the written language.
● Show appreciation of books and understands how print works.
● Use writing to represent thoughts or ideas.
Mathematics and Science
The purpose of 4K mathematics and science instruction in FPS is to build high levels of mathematical skills, processes, and problem-solving necessary to meet the challenge of a K-12 academic experience. The math and science curriculum will utilize hands-on, concrete experiences to teach concepts such as classification, pattern recognition, numeral recognition, number concept development, estimation, hypothesizing, and exploration.
Within the math and science curriculum, children will experience the following:
● Use multi-sensory abilities to process information.
● Understand new meanings as memory increases.
● Apply problem-solving skills.
● Demonstrate an understanding of numbers and counting.
● Understand number operations and relationships.
● Explore, recognize, and describe, shapes and spatial relationships.
● Use the attributes of objects for comparison and patterning.
● Understand the concept of measurement.
● Use observation to gather information.
● Use tools to gather information, compare observed objects and seek answers to questions through active investigation.
● Hypothesizes and makes predictions.
● Form explanations based on trial and error, observations, and explorations.
Social/Emotional Learning and Play
The social and emotional development of 4K students is equally important as their academic preparation. Kindergarten instructors in FPS have cited the variance in developmental readiness of students' social and emotional readiness for full-day kindergarten. Our 4K program offers a rigorous academic and social/emotional experience in order to prepare students for 5K and beyond. The 4K program will teach students how to function positively in a group setting and foster social growth through peer interaction skills and the building of self-esteem.
Within the social/emotional and play curriculum, children will learn to do the following:
● Express a wide range of emotions.
● Understand and respond to others’ emotions.
● Develop positive self-esteem.
● Demonstrate self-awareness.
● Demonstrate attachment, trust, and autonomy.
● Engage in social interaction and plays with others.
● Demonstrate an understanding of rules and social
expectations.
● Engage in social problem-solving behavior and learn to resolve conflict.
● Display curiosity, risk-taking, and willingness to engage in new experiences.
● Engage in meaningful learning through attempting, repeating, experimenting, refining, and elaborating on experiences and activities.
● Exhibit persistence and flexibility.
● Engage in imaginative play and inventive thinking through interactions with people, materials, and the environment.
● Express self creatively through music, movement, and art.
● Learn within the context of his/her family and culture.
● Use various styles of learning including verbal/linguistic, bodily/kinesthetic, visual/spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal.
Play is the Way! Franklin Public Schools champions the teaching philosophy set forth by the Department of Public Instruction. Watch this important video produced by DPI about how kindergartners learn best. 