Kindergarten Math Curriculum

“Mathematics is used to understand and interpret our world. In the global economy of the 21st century, those who can understand and apply mathematics have more opportunities to achieve success in higher education, the world of work and life.”
Office of Curriculum and Instructional Program
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)


MCPS encourages parents to monitor their child’s progress to ensure they are consistently challenged with their math curriculum. Once a student demonstrates proficiency in the applicable course’s content, they are encourage to progress to the next level. For example, our second grade son “skipped” Math 2 and began his school year with Math 3. At the end of first grade, an assessment was performed to determine if he had mastered the skills of Math 2.

The goal is to keep children engaged and challenged throughout the school year as well as attend all necessary math courses by 12th grade. The acceleration occurs in kindergarten through eigth grade. Ultimately, students are encouraged to take algebra 1 by eighth grade. Therefore, the early years are important in a child’s mathematic success. Let’s begin by looking at the kindergarten mathematics curriculum, which is structured in instructional units:

Unit 1: Patterns and Classifications

Use of directional and positional words (ability to describe the location of an object)
Sort objects and state sorting rule
Organize data using bar graphs and pictographs
Identify, describe, extend and create patterns

Unit 2: Exploring numbers

Count to the number 31
Recognize and create sets using more, less or equal amounts of an object
Identify odd and even number of objects
Using positional language of an object – first through fifth
Model the numbers 1 through 10 using objects

Unit 3: Measuring and Geometry

Sequence events
Measure – length and weight
Measure length using nonstandard units (e.g. paper clip)
Identify 2- and 3-dimensional shapes (e.g. triangle, pyramid)

Unit 4: Combining and Separating

Estimate quantities < 20
Add and remove objects from a set and explain results
Identify and know the value of penny, nickel and dime
Determine the value of a set of coins up to nineteen cents (different combinations made by using pennies, nickels and a dime)

Source: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org