Kindergarten

What should your child be able to do in math by the end of Kindergarten? 

• Know number names and be able to count to 100
• Write numbers 0 – 20
• Learn about numbers 11-20, with tens and ones
• Count objects to tell the number of things in a group up to 20
• Compare numbers and groups to tell which has more and which has fewer, or if they are equal
• Understand that addition is putting together groups and adding to groups
• Understand that subtraction is taking apart groups and taking from groups
• Fluently add and subtract within 5
• Sort objects into groups 
• Identify and describe shapes

Read the Standards. 

What should your child be able to do in Language Arts by the end of Kindergarten? 

Reading
With prompting and support:
• Ask and answer questions about a reading selection
• Identify characters, setting, and main events in a story
• Retell stories, including details

Reading: Foundational Skills
• Understand basic print features (left to right, top to bottom, page by page)
• Recognize and name all uppercase and lowercase letters
• Recognize that spoken words are made up of syllables and sounds
• Recognize and produce rhyming words
• Blend two or three sounds together to make a recognizable word
• Use phonics when reading words
• Say the most frequent sounds for each consonant and vowel
• Read common high-frequency words by sight: the, of, to, you, is 

Writing
• Draw, tell, or write about a book
• Draw, tell, or write about events in the order they happened 

Speaking and Listening
• Participate in discussions: listen to others, take turns speaking
• Follow oral directions
• Ask and answer questions
•  Describe people, places, things, and events, providing detail

Language
• Print many uppercase and lowercase letters
• Use capitalization, punctuation, and spelling
• Identify new meanings for familiar words (e.g. knowing duck is a bird, and learning the verb form of to duck)
• Sort common objects into categories (e.g. shapes, food)

Read the Standards. 


Kindergarten Assessments 
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1. Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WAKids)
Information for Families /  List of Objectives Assessed by WAKids

2. Measures of Academic Progress/MAP (math and ELA assessment)
 Family Toolkit  

3. Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills/DIBELS (dyslexia screener)
Understanding Literacy Screening: Parents and Families (WA State)
Parents' Guide (DIBELS)
Parent Report Guide (Understanding DIBELS Scoring)

What happens if there's a problem?
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1. Seattle Public Schools uses the Multi Tier System of Supports (MTSS) framework to support all students academically. This system allows teachers to tailor instruction to each student, including additional assistance where needed:
What is MTSS? A Jargon Free Explanation for Parents

2. Students with disabilities that affect their learning may be eligible under Federal law for additional supports in the form of an Individualized Education Program (IEP):
A Step-By-Step Guide to the IEP Process (Scholastic)
Special Education (Seattle Public Schools)
Getting to Results: A Guide to Special Education in Seattle Public Schools (Seattle Special Education PTSA)

More Information / Supporting Your Child's Learning at Home
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Readiness Check - Math and Reading (Learning Heroes)
What does success look like in kindergarten reading and math? (videos - Great Schools)

Parents' Guide to Student Success - Kindergarten (National PTA)
Family Guide to Kindergarten Learning (Seattle Public Schools)
Family Guide to Support Learning - Kindergarten (Seek Common Ground)

Struggling Readers - Guidelines for Concerned Parents (Read Charlotte)
Helping Struggling Readers (Reading Rockets)
Reading 101 - A Guide for Parents (Reading Rockets)

How children learn about numbers and counting (video - Graham Fletcher)
How children learn addition and subtraction (video - Graham Fletcher)
Supporting Your Child in Kindergarten Math (Council of the Great City Schools)