Madroña Elementary 2012 California Distinguished School Winner
612 Camino Manzanas, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 (805) 498-6102
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Our Curriculum
Learning is a continuous process that involves the home as well as the
school. Children benefit greatly when they know that their parents
are interested in and supportive of education. We invite you to join us
as partners in this venture. If you have questions after
reviewing the information in this summary, please give us a call.
Each child grows and develops individually. There are, however, general characteristics and needs which apply to most children of a certain age. Knowing these characteristics provides teachers and parents a better understanding of the child.
Each child grows and develops individually. There are, however, general characteristics and needs which apply to most children of a certain age. Knowing these characteristics provides teachers and parents a better understanding of the child.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten children are extremely active and have developed self-dependence in eating, dressing, toileting and sleeping. Most will grow rapidly and probably will lose their first lower teeth. Matured motor control is evidenced by hopping, jumping and skipping with general farsightedness necessitating large objects and close contact. Kindergarteners are not resistant to common childhood diseases. They are interested in other children and at the same time individualistic, preferring their own habits and interests.
Kindergarten children have good reasoning power, the ability to make judgments with adult guidance, and the ability to make plans
and carry them out. They have the desire to speak plainly and to use new words, the ability to relate experiences and to retell stories, and changeable minds.
Curriculum Standards - English
Curriculum Standards - En Espanol
First Grade
First grade children will probably be impulsive - going from one extreme to another, with spurts of affection and antagonism. There
will be periods of laughter and tears in quick succession, periods of deep thinking, and periods of inattention. First grade children
are often careless of their clothes, and more interested in playing than eating or dressing. They are frequently combative, as though
at war with themselves and the world.
Children in this grade desire to be winners, first to be chosen, best liked and biggest. They may be boastful, trying to establish their
own superiority. First grade children are active; climbing, running, wrestling, and trying to do things too difficult for them. The best
thing you can do for first graders is to enjoy them. Laugh with them and give them time to learn. Expect mistakes and much
forgetting. Don’t let your ideals make you require too much of this age child.
Curriculum Standards - English
Curriculum Standards - En Espanol
Second Grade
Second grade children will probably be two or three inches taller than last year, sturdy, healthy, and losing teeth. Many have
difficulty sitting still and may become problem eaters. They display a desire for freedom and independence from adults, are
aggressive, boastful, sympathetic, and emotional. These children often exhibit fears of imaginary or improbable dangers such as
fears of the doctor, lightning, or the dark. They are sensitive to ridicule, failure, and any loss of prestige with family or friends.
A second grader enjoys playing with boys and girls as equals, is a good listener, and is interested in almost everything in the present
time and the immediate environment. They have a strong liking for anything that runs on wheels. These children also show excited
interest in team and group activities and display a well-developed sense of competition. Dramatic play is important to second
graders (identifying self with cowboys, sports heroes, etc.). They display lengthening periods of calmness and self-absorption and
increased proficiency in manipulative skills.
Curriculum Standards - English
Curriculum Standards - En Espanol
Kindergarten children are extremely active and have developed self-dependence in eating, dressing, toileting and sleeping. Most will grow rapidly and probably will lose their first lower teeth. Matured motor control is evidenced by hopping, jumping and skipping with general farsightedness necessitating large objects and close contact. Kindergarteners are not resistant to common childhood diseases. They are interested in other children and at the same time individualistic, preferring their own habits and interests.
Kindergarten children have good reasoning power, the ability to make judgments with adult guidance, and the ability to make plans
and carry them out. They have the desire to speak plainly and to use new words, the ability to relate experiences and to retell stories, and changeable minds.
Curriculum Standards - English
Curriculum Standards - En Espanol
First Grade
First grade children will probably be impulsive - going from one extreme to another, with spurts of affection and antagonism. There
will be periods of laughter and tears in quick succession, periods of deep thinking, and periods of inattention. First grade children
are often careless of their clothes, and more interested in playing than eating or dressing. They are frequently combative, as though
at war with themselves and the world.
Children in this grade desire to be winners, first to be chosen, best liked and biggest. They may be boastful, trying to establish their
own superiority. First grade children are active; climbing, running, wrestling, and trying to do things too difficult for them. The best
thing you can do for first graders is to enjoy them. Laugh with them and give them time to learn. Expect mistakes and much
forgetting. Don’t let your ideals make you require too much of this age child.
Curriculum Standards - English
Curriculum Standards - En Espanol
Second Grade
Second grade children will probably be two or three inches taller than last year, sturdy, healthy, and losing teeth. Many have
difficulty sitting still and may become problem eaters. They display a desire for freedom and independence from adults, are
aggressive, boastful, sympathetic, and emotional. These children often exhibit fears of imaginary or improbable dangers such as
fears of the doctor, lightning, or the dark. They are sensitive to ridicule, failure, and any loss of prestige with family or friends.
A second grader enjoys playing with boys and girls as equals, is a good listener, and is interested in almost everything in the present
time and the immediate environment. They have a strong liking for anything that runs on wheels. These children also show excited
interest in team and group activities and display a well-developed sense of competition. Dramatic play is important to second
graders (identifying self with cowboys, sports heroes, etc.). They display lengthening periods of calmness and self-absorption and
increased proficiency in manipulative skills.
Curriculum Standards - English
Curriculum Standards - En Espanol
Third Grade
At this age, children are changing from having no social awareness to a growing ability to engage in social responses both
appropriate and inappropriate. It is not uncommon for a third grader to hit, tease, and punch for the fun of it. Third graders are
serious about themselves, impressed with their own ability to imitate grownup behavior, and like to take responsibility.
Third graders develop better eye-hand coordination and small motor skills. Attention span increases and these children enjoy stating their opinions and thinking about new ideas, often out loud. They may have ideas and desires to make and do things that are still beyond their ability. These children will probably demonstrate contradictory behaviors in disputes with best friends or siblings and
will show varying emotional patterns of fear, joy, anger, and affection. They are interested in clubs, teams and children of their own gender. Sensitivity to ridicule or failure is common and a strong sense of justice is evident. No discrimination based on social position, race, language, or religion is demonstrated at this age.
Curriculum Standards - English
Curriculum Standards - En Espanol
Fourth Grade
Fourth grade children display great physical vigor, with most children being very active and tireless. They are fond of rough and
tumble play. They are growing and maturing at different rates, making them appear quite different from others in the group. Besides being energetic and daring, these children are extremely interested in clubs and teams. They enjoy factual material, are self-centered, generally untidy, and unwise in spending money.
Fourth grade children have a great variety of interests and tend to daydream. They have a sense of humor which takes the form of
much noise and giggling, and are impressionable, with a strong sense of justice. Many start collections, have a strong desire for a
pet, and want to participate in some community activity such as scouts.
Curriculum Standards - English
Curriculum Standards - En Espanol
Fifth Grade
Fifth grade children will probably be healthier than children of any other age, growing slowly and steadily in height and weight.
They will be extremely interested in clubs and teams, fascinated with factual material, and fully able to assume responsibility for
personal needs in dress and grooming. A better command of time and the ability to concentrate for longer periods is evidenced.
These children have a well-developed sense of humor, a desire for a pet, and interest in collecting, and a beginning interest in the
opposite sex. Fifth grade children will probably want to earn money for special wants and needs, tend to separate work from play,
have a greater satisfaction in the ability to achieve, and have increased strength and resistance to fatigue.
Curriculum Standards - English
Curriculum Standards - En Espanol
At this age, children are changing from having no social awareness to a growing ability to engage in social responses both
appropriate and inappropriate. It is not uncommon for a third grader to hit, tease, and punch for the fun of it. Third graders are
serious about themselves, impressed with their own ability to imitate grownup behavior, and like to take responsibility.
Third graders develop better eye-hand coordination and small motor skills. Attention span increases and these children enjoy stating their opinions and thinking about new ideas, often out loud. They may have ideas and desires to make and do things that are still beyond their ability. These children will probably demonstrate contradictory behaviors in disputes with best friends or siblings and
will show varying emotional patterns of fear, joy, anger, and affection. They are interested in clubs, teams and children of their own gender. Sensitivity to ridicule or failure is common and a strong sense of justice is evident. No discrimination based on social position, race, language, or religion is demonstrated at this age.
Curriculum Standards - English
Curriculum Standards - En Espanol
Fourth Grade
Fourth grade children display great physical vigor, with most children being very active and tireless. They are fond of rough and
tumble play. They are growing and maturing at different rates, making them appear quite different from others in the group. Besides being energetic and daring, these children are extremely interested in clubs and teams. They enjoy factual material, are self-centered, generally untidy, and unwise in spending money.
Fourth grade children have a great variety of interests and tend to daydream. They have a sense of humor which takes the form of
much noise and giggling, and are impressionable, with a strong sense of justice. Many start collections, have a strong desire for a
pet, and want to participate in some community activity such as scouts.
Curriculum Standards - English
Curriculum Standards - En Espanol
Fifth Grade
Fifth grade children will probably be healthier than children of any other age, growing slowly and steadily in height and weight.
They will be extremely interested in clubs and teams, fascinated with factual material, and fully able to assume responsibility for
personal needs in dress and grooming. A better command of time and the ability to concentrate for longer periods is evidenced.
These children have a well-developed sense of humor, a desire for a pet, and interest in collecting, and a beginning interest in the
opposite sex. Fifth grade children will probably want to earn money for special wants and needs, tend to separate work from play,
have a greater satisfaction in the ability to achieve, and have increased strength and resistance to fatigue.
Curriculum Standards - English
Curriculum Standards - En Espanol