The new Georgia performance standards: kindergarten [2008]

Assessment
Throughout the year, classroom teachers will assess each student's growth and progress toward achievement of the learning goals specified in the state curriculum (GPS or QCC if GPS have not been implemented).
These classroom assessments will be used to guide instruction in order to provide every child with the opportunity to learn and to succeed.
Students will be made aware of the performance expectations for Kindergarten and will acquire self-monitoring and self-assessing skills to help them maximize their achievement.
All Georgia kindergarten students participate in Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS) in order to provide cumulative evidence of a student's readiness for first grade.
Students are assessed in the domains of literacy, mathematics, and social/emotional development in a variety of one-on-one, small group, and large group instructional settings throughout the kindergarten year.

Dear Parents,
Thank you for all you do as parents to guide your children's learning! I am confident that the future of all our children will be bright because of your continued support of public education in Georgia.
We are beginning the most extensive improvement in Georgia education undertaken in the last 18 years-- the implementation of the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). The new state curriculum sets high standards, maintains clear expectations, and will place our schools and our students not just at the top of the Southeast, but at the top of the nation.
As a parent, I personally understand that this kind of change may generate questions and concerns: Why do we need a change? How will this impact my child? What will be different in my child's classroom?
For this reason, I have made communication and keeping you informed an absolute priority. Georgia's teachers and administrators have been preparing for this change, and they will be able to answer many of your questions at your local schools. I also encourage you to visit the Georgia Department of Education website to find out more about the new curriculum: www.georgiastandards.org.
It is a great day for education in Georgia. Like never before, our state is unified behind a mission to raise the achievement level of all students in our public schools. Toward this aim, we have rallied together and successfully tackled many challenges, ushering in a new level of accountability and quality in education. Thank you for your support as we continue to raise the bar for our state's most precious resource, our children. Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools

Implementation Schedule for the Georgia Performance Standards
in Kindergarten
2005-2006 English Language Arts
2006-2007 Mathematics
2007-2008 Science
2008-2009 Social Studies
Curriculum & Instructional Services 1754 Twin Towers East Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Tel (404) 656-2608 FAX (404) 656-5744
www.georgiastandards.org
In accordance with State and Federal law, the Georgia Department of Education prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its educational and employment activities. Inquiries regarding the application of these practices may be addressed to the General Counsel of the Georgia Department of Education, 2052 Twin Towers East, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334, (404) 656-2800.

KKindergarten tHe new georgia performance standards
We will lead the nation in improving student achievement.
Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools
www.gadoe.org

Kindergarten Language Arts
Kindergarten students will receive instruction in reading, writing, and listening, speaking, & viewing. By the end of Kindergarten, students will be able to:
Demonstrate developing understanding of concepts of print, such as how to hold books, how to track print, and how to distinguish words from pictures and letters from words
Identify previously taught high frequency words quickly and reread grade level text with appropriate expression
Identify some basic sight words
Write letters of the alphabet and begin to represent words with letters
Recognize sentences and begin to understand that sentences begin with capital letters and end with some type of punctuation
Sustain their attention for an age-appropriate length of time while reading or listening to books
Retell or reenact stories using more complex vocabulary and longer sentences
Identify and produce rhyming words
Identify, blend, and segment sound parts in words
Students will begin to practice writing in a variety of genres

Kindergarten Mathematics
Kindergarten students will be actively engaged in developing mathematical understandings in real and relevant contexts. By the end of Kindergarten, students will be able to:
Understand small numbers, quantities, and simple shapes experienced everyday
Count, compare, describe, and sort objects
Develop a sense of properties and patterns
Connect numerals to the quantities they represent
Model (act out or use objects) problem solving involving simple addition and subtraction situations
Recognize and name basic geometric shapes and spatial relationships
Compare objects in terms of their measurements
Identify coins by name and value, and make fair trades with pennies, nickels, and dimes
Follow a daily schedule to help develop the concept of time
Collect data and make picture graphs

Kindergarten Science
Kindergarten students will use inquiry to focus on questions about the world around them, including questions related to earth science, physical science, and life science. By the end of Kindergarten, students will be able to:
Describe different types of motion and the effects of gravity on objects
Identify parts of things such as tools or toys
Describe, compare, and sort items according to physical attributes such as number, shape, texture, size, weight, color, and motion
Use their senses of sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound to sort physical objects into groups
Use their senses to make observations about the physical world around them
Demonstrate awareness of similarities and differences of physical attributes of the world around them, including awareness of similarities and differences between living and nonliving things, between animals and plants, and between parents and offspring

Kindergarten Social Studies
Kindergarten students will begin to explore the foundations of history, geography, government, and economics. By the end of Kindergarten, students will be able to: Identify and describe major national holidays
Identify and explain the meaning of important national symbols
Correctly use words and phrases related to chronology and time correctly to explain how things change
Describe American culture through diverse community and family celebrations and customs
Identify and explain very basic characteristics of maps and globes, and state their address by street, city, county, state, nation, and continent
Explain the creation and importance of rules, as well as the qualities of honesty, patriotism, loyalty, courtesy, respect, truth, pride, selfcontrol, moderation, and accomplishment
Explain the need for making good choices
Describe types of work that people do to earn income
Explain the concept of exchanging money for goods and services