PreK Essential Standards
School Year 2020-21
For the FCPS Return to School in 2020-21, the standards listed below emphasize the central priorities for learning in each course. These standards are intended to guide instruction and assessment during this extraordinary school year.
Quarter 1 (September 8 – October 30)
Language Arts
Unit 1: Becoming a Community of Readers and Writers and Learning about Print (8 weeks)
- Follow the predictable routines and understand that choosing books to read is part of that routine.
- Notice how books work.
- Listen to and share ideas about books with others.
- Share their ideas about books with others.
- Explore a variety of books to determine the types of books they love.
- Independently use the materials needed to write.
- Share ideas by talking, drawing and writing.
- Develop active and attentive listening skills.
- Begin to notice and name uppercase and lowercase letters.
- Listen for and name beginning sounds in words.
- Listen for words that rhyme and name simple rhymes.
Mathematics
Unit 1: Attributes (2 weeks)
- Match and sort objects according to one attribute such as color or shape.
Unit 2: Counting and Numbers Part 1 (6 weeks)
- Tell how many are in a given set of 10 or fewer objects using one to one correspondence.
- Recognize and select numerals to represent numbers from 1-10.
- Given two sets, each containing five or less concrete objects, will compare groups by matching objects and describe the groups using the terms more, fewer, same.
- Count forward orally by ones to 20.
- Identify the number after, without counting, when given any number between 1 and 10.
Science
Unit 1: Patterns and Change (2 weeks)
- Observe daily weather and routines.
- Investigate that natural and human-made things may change over time.
Unit 2: Inquiry Based Observations Part 1 (3 weeks)
- Investigate basic characteristics of objects by direct observation.
- Begin to participate in investigations in which a set of objects is sequenced according to size.
- Begin to participate in investigations in which a set of objects is separated into two groups based on a single physical characteristic.
- Investigate the five senses and their corresponding sensing organ.
- Begin to use the senses to gather information.
- Investigate the color, shape, form, texture, feel, size and weight of objects.
Unit 3: Inquiry Based Observations Part 2 (3 weeks)
- Investigate basic characteristics of objects by direct observation.
- Begin to participate in investigations in which a set of objects is sequenced according to size.
- Begin to participate in investigations in which a set of objects is separated into two groups based on a single physical characteristic.
- Investigate the color, shape, form, texture, feel, size and weight of objects.
- Begin to participate in simple investigations, begin to ask questions, and begin to make predictions from observations.
- Investigate the shapes and forms of many common natural objects including seeds, cones, and leaves.
Social Studies
Unit 1: Good Citizenship Part 1 (2 weeks)
- Begin to demonstrate the characteristics of a good citizen.
- Begin to participate in classroom duties.
- Take care of some personal belongings (e.g., backpack and jacket).
- Understand the reasons for rules in the home and classroom and for laws in the community.
- Begin to demonstrate that being a good citizen involves practicing honesty, self-control, and kindness to others.
- Practice good citizenship by participating in activities and following classroom rules and routines.
Unit 2: Good Citizenship Part 2 (3 weeks)
- Begin to recognize that people make choices because they cannot have everything they want.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of self, family, and being members of a diverse community.
- Understand the reasons for rules in the home and classroom and for laws in the community.
- Begin to participate in making classroom decisions.
- Begin to work well with classmates in groups.
- Begin to offer a solution to a problem.
Unit 3:Change Over Time (3 weeks)
- Observe physical surroundings.
- Show an awareness that things change over time.
Quarter 2 (November 2 – January 22)
Language Arts
Becoming a Community of Readers and Writers and Learning about Print (10 weeks)
- Notice how books work and how books have patterns.
- Listen to others and share ideas about books.
- Use patterns in books to help them make predictions.
- Use pictures and illustrations to help them learn about a topic.
- Ask questions and talk about books they listen to or read.
- Independently use the materials needed to write.
- Share ideas by talking, drawing and writing.
- Share about topics they know about by talking, drawing and writing.
- Develop active and attentive listening skills.
- Notice and name uppercase and lowercase letters.
- Listen for and name beginning sounds in words.
- Listen for words that rhyme and name simple rhymes.
Mathematics
Geometry (3 weeks)
- Recognize and describe plane figures (circle, triangle, square, and rectangle).
- Compare the size (smaller, larger) and shape of two plane figures (circle, triangle, square, and rectangle).
- Describe the location of one object relative to another (next to, beside, above, below, under, over).
Sorting and Patterns (6 weeks)
- Match and sort objects according to one attribute such as color or shape.
- Identify, copy, and begin to extend simple patterns using a variety of materials
Counting and Number Part 2 (6 weeks)
- Count forward orally by ones to 20.
- Identify the number after, without counting, when given any number between 1 and 10.
- Participate in collecting and organizing data.
- Begin to read and interpret data in object graphs and picture graphs.
**Students will learn about Data Analysis during asynchronous instruction with provided digital resources**
Science
Investigations (4 weeks)
- Begin to participate in investigations in which a set of objects is sequenced according to size
- Begin to participate in investigations in which a set of objects is separated into two groups based on a single physical characteristic
- Participate in investigations in which picture graphs are created.
Investigations (3 weeks)
- Participate in investigations in which the length and mass of common objects are compared
- Participate in investigations in which objects are described both pictorially and verbally
Change (3 weeks)
- Observe daily weather and routines
- Investigate that natural and human-made things may change over time.
- Investigate and changes can be observed and measured
- Understand there are simple repeating patterns in daily life
- Observe daily weather and routines
Social Studies
Civics: Being a Good Citizen and Understanding Diverse Communities (4 weeks)
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of self, family, and being members of a diverse community.
- Begin to demonstrate the characteristics of a good citizen.
- Begin to participate in classroom duties.
- Understand the reasons for rules in the home and classroom and for laws in the community.
Civics: Being a Good Citizen and Understanding Diverse Communities: (3 weeks)
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of self, family, and being members of a diverse community.
- The student will begin to demonstrate that being a good citizen involves practicing honesty, self-control, and kindness to others.
Change over Time (3 weeks)
Begin to recognize there are different seasons.
Quarter 3 (January 25 – March 26)
Language Arts
Becoming a Community of Readers and Writers and Learning about Print (9 weeks)
- Use pictures and illustrations to help them learn about a topic.
- Talk about books they listen to or read.
- Listen to others and share ideas.
- Think about how characters feel and express ideas about characters they read about.
- Talk about characters and use story language to retell what happened.
- Ask questions and talk about books they listen to or read.
- Use oral storytelling to share about their life and to think about what they want to draw or write about.
- Share ideas by talking, drawing and writing.
- Develop active and attentive listening skills.
- Listen for words that rhyme and name simple rhymes.
- Listen for words that begin with the same sound and name words that share the same beginning sound.
- Match upper- and lower-case letters and match sounds to the appropriate letter.
- Listen for and produce parts of words in multisyllabic words.
Mathematics
Counting and Number (3 weeks)
- Tell how many are in a given set of 10 or fewer objects using one to one correspondence.
- Recognize and select numerals to represent numbers from 1-10.
Geometry (3 weeks)
- Begin to recognize and describe plane figures (circle, triangle, square, and rectangle).
- Compare the size (smaller, larger) and shape of two plane figures (circle, triangle, square, and rectangle).
- Begin to describe the location of one object relative to another (next to, beside, above, below, under, over).
Counting and Number (6 weeks)
- Tell how many are in a given set of 10 or fewer objects using one to one correspondence.
- Recognize and select numerals to represent numbers from 1-10.
- Given two sets, each containing five or less concrete objects, will compare groups by matching objects and describe the groups using the terms more, fewer, same.
- Investigate and describe part-whole relationships for numbers up to five.
Science
Investigations (3 weeks)
- Begin to participate in investigations in which observations are made from multiple positions to achieve different perspectives
- Participate in investigations in which unusual or unexpected results in an activity are recognized
Investigations (3 weeks)
- Begin to participate in investigations in which a set of objects is sequenced according to size
- Begin to participate in simple investigations, begin to ask questions, and begin to make predictions from observations
Change (3 weeks)
- Begin to participate in investigations in which a set of objects is sequenced according to size
- Begin to participate in simple investigations, begin to ask questions, and begin to make predictions from observations
- Observe daily weather and routines
- Investigate the shapes and forms of many common natural objects including seeds, cones, and leaves
Social Studies
Geography (3 weeks)
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of self, family, and being members of a diverse community.
- Demonstrate an understanding of different types of work people do.
- Explore maps to begin to develop an understanding of community.
- Begin to understand that a community is where people live, work, and play.
Economics (3 weeks)
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of self, family, and being members of a diverse community.
- Begin to understand that a community is where people live, work, and play.
- Identify wants and needs.
Change (3 weeks)
Begin to recognize there are different seasons.
Quarter 4 (April 5 – June 11)
Language Arts
Becoming a Community of Readers and Writers and Learning about Print (9 weeks)
- Listen to a variety of poems and nursery rhymes and share ideas about which ones they love.
- Listen to poems and songs and cite and sing them over and over and share ideas about what they mean.
- Ask questions about topic that interest them.
- Look for books and information that will help them learn about topics that interest them.
- Share about things they know about by talking, drawing and writing.
- Share ideas by talking, drawing and writing.
- Develop active and attentive listening skills.
- Listen for words that rhyme and name simple rhymes.
- Listen for words that begin with the same sound and name words that share the same beginning sound.
- Listen for and produce parts of words in multisyllabic words.
Mathematics
Counting and Numbers (3 weeks)
- Tell how many are in a given set of 10 or fewer objects using one to one correspondence.
- Recognize and select numerals to represent numbers from 1-10
Composing and Decomposing Numbers (6 weeks)
- Model and solve story problems with sums to 5 and differences within 5, using concrete objects.
Data Analysis (3 weeks)
- Participate in collecting and organizing data.
- Begin to read and interpret data in object graphs and picture graphs.
Science
Life Cycles (3 weeks)
Investigate and understand that:
- Basic needs and life processes of plants and animals
- Plants need nutrients, water, air, light, and a place to grow to survive
- Plants and animals change as they grow, and have varied life cycles
- Offspring of plants and animals are similar but not identical to their parents or to one another
- Changes can be observed and measured
Natural Resources (3 weeks)
Investigate and understand that:
- Plants and animals change as they grow, and have varied life cycles
- Offspring of plants and animals are similar but not identical to their parents or to one another
- Materials and everyday objects can be reused, recycled, and conserved
- Conserving water and energy at home and in school helps take care of our resources (e.g., turning off the water after washing hands)
Change (3 weeks)
Investigate and understand that:
- Natural and human-made things may change over time
- Changes can be observed and measured
Social Studies
History (3 weeks)
- Begin to describe everyday life in the present and in the past and show an awareness that things change over time.
Civics (3 weeks)
- Begin to demonstrate the characteristics of a good citizen.
Change (3 weeks)
- Demonstrate skills for historical thinking by listening to stories and exploring artifacts to begin to develop an understanding of events that occurred in the past.
- Begin to recognize there are different seasons.