Here is a checklist for those of you who are teaching kindergarten. Remember that this is a guide, but of course you can use this to pull together your own curriculum. Not teaching kindergarten? Look soon for the rest of the sereis which will go through 12th grade.
* Meanings of holidays, traditions, and customs
Holidays.net has a HUGE archive of crafts, ideas, recipes, etc. to help celebrate.
It’s also worth your effort to search the Yahooligans Holiday page.
They have just about every conceivable holiday as well as links to crafts, activities, and lessons.
* Understanding and appreciating other cultures
Flat Stanley is a great project for this and with modification can be done with children this young.
Teaching Idea: We have always gone through the alphabet and briefly studied one country per letter. Often times our adventures have taken us to the kitchen to make tortillas for Mexico, or making a pyramid when we studied Egypt.
For some great online activities, try the National Geographic for Kids website.
Consider taking a field trip to a museum or some other related cultural center. Can’t get out? Why not visit Russia through this online virtual field trip.
* Work and jobs
Teaching Tip: My favorite way to teach kids about jobs is to take them on our weekly errands. As you go along, talk about each person you do business with. Include etiquette, common business practices, as well as the job description as appropriate.
* Safety rules and symbols
Teaching Tip: While you’re driving along, challenge your child to find all the signs he possibly can and tell what they mean. Another variation is to actually have a page made up with the signs already on them. Have your child mark them as you pass them like a “bingo” game.
* Location of home.
Teaching Tip: Consider this an item of safety information. Your child should know his address, telephone number, how to call 911 or call another adult in case of an emergency. While teaching this information, consider turning it into handwriting practice.
* Diagram of home and school
Teaching Tip: Teach your child how to make a map that represents a certain space. Do this by drawing out a room for your child and labeling it. Then challenge him to do the same thing with another room.
Related Articles:
What Your Kindergartner Should Know: Science
What Your Kindergartner Should Know: Language Arts