Elementary School

In this section, you’ll find an overview of our elementary curriculum, outdoor recess guidelines, and the school supply lists for each grade.
- Kindergarten Curriculum
- First and Second Grade Curriculum
- Third and Fourth Grade Curriculum
- Fifth Grade Curriculum
- Health and Physical Education
- Outdoor Recess Guidelines
- School Supplies
Kindergarten Curriculum
The kindergarten curriculum is consistent across the entire district and provides a road map for all educators as they plan to teach what students need to know and do. The ultimate goal is to assess each student’s individual strengths and needs and teach for growth and success.
The kindergarten curriculum provides a solid foundation of basic skills and learning experiences students need. Children progress in their ability:
- to read and write;
- to understand and develop number concepts and math problem-solving skills;
- to experience hands-on science learning and concepts for healthy living; and
- to gain a better understanding of the world through social studies exploration.
The kindergarten day is active with rich experiences through music, art, and physical education. Each school’s library media center program introduces students to the world of information and the joy of learning through books and technology. Students develop positive habits and routines as they interact with others throughout the day.
Family Activities for Ages 54-60 Months (PDF)
Getting Ready for Kindergarten brochure - English (PDF) Getting Ready for Kindergarten brochure - Spanish (PDF)
Cruising the Kindergarten Curriculum - English (PDF) Cruising the Kindergarten Curriculum - Spanish (PDF)
Watch our Cruising the Kindergarten Curriculum video presentation
Family Guide to English Language Arts (PDF)
Kindergarten English language arts standards (PDF)
Kindergarten general music standards (PDF)
Kindergarten health curriculum (PDF)
Kindergarten library curriculum (PDF)
Kindergarten math standards (PDF)
Kindergarten science curriculum (PDF)
First and Second Grade Curriculum
It is amazing to walk into first and second grade classrooms throughout the district and observe learners in action. Reading advances as students read a wide variety of stories, books, and award-winning literature. Children are surrounded by books and are also expected to read books beyond the school day. Reading instruction builds on important comprehension skills to help children experience the fact that reading is not just saying the words, but understanding what they read. Phonics, spelling, and word-building skills progress as students apply these skills when they read and write. Students write often throughout the day, choosing their own topics and writing for different purposes and audiences. Looking at pieces of writing from the beginning of the school year to the end of the school year in these grades show how ideas develop and organization and convention skills improve.
The math and science programs focus on hands-on learning to help students apply scientific and math reasoning skills. Concrete math models and manipulatives help students learn to solve problems used each day in real-life situations. Math skills develop rapidly as students increase their abilities to compute, estimate, and analyze. Regardless of the scientific concept studied in the classroom, a hands-on approach involves students in observing, exploring, classifying, recording, and communicating understanding of the concepts.
The Library Media Center excites students and keeps interests peaked in the vast array of choices of books and topics for investigation through technology.
Children love the time they spend in music, physical education, and art instruction. Active learning of the goals and objectives in each curricular area enrich learning for all students and promote an emphasis on the development of the whole child.
First Grade Curriculum Documents
Family Guide to English Language Arts (PDF)
First grade English language arts standards (PDF)
First grade general music standards (PDF)
First grade health curriculum (PDF)
First grade library curriculum (PDF)
First grade math standards (PDF)
First grade science curriculum (PDF)
Second Grade Curriculum Documents
Family Guide to English Language Arts (PDF)
Second grade English language arts standards (PDF)
Second grade general music standards (PDF)
Second grade health curriculum (PDF)
Second grade library curriculum (PDF)
Second grade math standards (PDF)
Second grade science curriculum (PDF)
Third and Fourth Grade Curriculum
Third and fourth graders transition to increased independent application of skills and strategies they are learning. Third grade is a year of firsts — Kansas reading and math assessment, district writing assessment, and computer keyboarding instruction. Fourth graders also participate in the Kansas reading and math assessment and the district writing assessment.
Reading instruction continues to be a priority. The district goal is for all students to be successful readers by the end of third grade. Future academic success is connected to this important goal of successful reading. Reading instruction helps students grow in their comprehension of a wide variety of text they read. Third- and fourth- graders throughout the district write often and produce different types of writing (narrative, expository, and technical in third grade with persuasive added at fourth grade). Students build an understanding of the criteria for effective writing through instruction in the 6 + 1 Writing Traits. Specific lessons focus on the traits of Ideas and Content, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Conventions, and Presentation. The Library Media Center is the hub of activity as students use information to develop areas of interest and enhance curriculum concepts.
Math skills at third and fourth grade need to be firmly in place to support increased expectations with problem-solving strategies, number sense, measurement, and geometry. Students delve deeper into the scientific investigation process and study exciting topics such as the solar system, insects, water, and recycling in third grade and electricity, magnetism, and the environment in fourth grade.
Social studies learning prepares students for their future by increasing understanding of their roles as informed citizens. Third graders learn about the past and present of local communities and fourth graders emphasize regions of the United States.
Physical education, music, and art learning experiences continue to focus on wellness, development, and enrichment of the whole child.
Third Grade Curriculum
Family Guide to English Language Arts (PDF)
Third grade English language arts standards (PDF)
Third grade general music standards (PDF)
Third grade health curriculum (PDF)
Third grade library curriculum (PDF)
Third grade math standards (PDF)
Third grade science curriculum (PDF)
Fourth Grade Curriculum
Family Guide to English Language Arts (PDF)
Fourth grade English language arts standards (PDF)
Fourth grade general music standards (PDF)
Fourth grade health curriculum (PDF)
Fourth grade library curriculum (PDF)
Fourth grade math standards (PDF)
Fourth grade science curriculum (PDF)
Third Grade Mock Trial
Overview
The Olathe Public Schools partnered with Judge Robert J. Wonnell and the Kansas 10th Judicial District Court in Olathe, Johnson County, Kansas to offer the Third Grade Mock Trial Event, nationwide on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, 2025.
The 2025 Constitution Day Mock Trial Event
Thank you to all third graders and their teachers across the United States who participated in the 2025 Constitution Day Mock Trial! There were 17,590 students from 736 classrooms in attendance! A special thank you to Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, and Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran who joined to impart knowledge of the three branches of government. It was an incredible and historic event and so much fun!
Judge Robert J. Wonnell of the Kansas 10th Judicial District Court in Olathe, Kansas began this program with third graders at Forest View Elementary School over 10 years ago. The event has expanded beyond third grade classrooms in Olathe, to all of Kansas, and now nationwide! We hope this will continue to be an annual event.
The annual Constitution Day mock trial event is a great way to enrich social studies instruction in your classroom. The mock trial experience connects to the C3 Framework and the KSDE HGSS focus standard for third grade, which is that societies are shaped by the identities, beliefs, and practices of individuals and groups, and the reinforced standards that choices have consequences, and individuals have rights and responsibilities.
Students make connections with the third grade social studies content by learning about their community and the civic duties that people perform, such as following the law, showing respect for others, and serving on a jury. By participating in the mock trial, students learn about the court system, the branches of government, and the Constitution of the United States! As students listen to the evidence presented during the mock trial, each classroom functions as a jury that weighs the evidence and deliberates the facts to reach a verdict that is submitted to the Judge in real time. Students learn at the end of the event what the collective jury from across the nation decides — guilty or not guilty! Judge Wonnell concludes the event with Q & A time.
Registration
Third grade classes who wish to participate in the mock trial event on Constitution Day on Sept. 17 must complete registration using the registration form.
Your registration will be confirmed, and you will receive the link for the Mock Trial Day Zoom meeting by email.
register for the event and participate via Zoom
Prior to the mock trial, teachers should conduct a practice Zoom with local colleagues to ensure that their computers are correctly configured with the latest Zoom software updates, sound settings, camera configuration, and other Zoom features. Event organizers cannot provide technology assistance to participants. Technology use must be supported by each district's technology support staff.
Instructional Materials
Updated instructional materials to support the nationwide mock trial virtual event are available online. Developed by the Olathe Public Schools Learning Services Department, instructional resources are made available for use by all participants to support this unique and exciting event. They are designed for use before, during, and after the Mock Trial, allowing students to fully experience this amazing learning opportunity!
This Constitution Day event was made possible by Kansas District Court Judge Robert J. Wonnell, the 10th Judicial District in Kansas, and the Olathe Public Schools USD 233 in Olathe, Kansas. This resource is the intellectual property of the Olathe Public Schools and Johnson County Kansas 10th Judicial District Court. It is intended for educational use only. You may not edit, reproduce, distribute, or sell this content in any form without the express written permission of the Olathe Public Schools and Johnson County Kansas 10th Judicial Court.
Olathe Teachers: You must be logged into your Google Apps for Education (GAFE) account to bypass district safety filters and view the videos linked in the lesson plan document. Just start Chrome, go to Google.com, and log in using your school Google account (username@students.olatheschools.com and your district password). Then use Chrome to watch the videos.
Fifth Grade Curriculum
Fifth graders continue to integrate reading, writing, and critical thinking skills and strategies throughout the day. Interesting fifth grade units of study in social studies center on United States history. The Library Media program focuses on helping students become skillful users of the vast amount of information available to them.
Research and scientific investigations are showcased at the district Science Festival. Daily science learning focuses on human body systems, oceans and water, and physics concepts during fifth grade.
Fifth grade students have developed comprehension and text analysis skills. They apply these skills in increasingly complex text they read on a daily basis. It is essential for all students to read often during and beyond the school day. Students also write frequently and produce writing process papers for all types of writing (narrative, expository, persuasive, and technical). With frequent writing, students gain many opportunities to apply the grammar and conventions skills they are learning.
Fine Arts learning opportunities increase at these grade levels. Buildings are alive with the sound of music through classes, musical performances, and Special Chorus for fifth-graders. Band and Orchestra (Strings) are also available. A walk through the halls or a chance to attend a special showing of student work quickly reveals the wide variety of learning taking place through the art curriculum.
The physical education curriculum monitors students’ fitness, with an emphasis on physical activity, wellness, and healthy living.
Family Guide to English Language Arts (PDF)
Fifth grade band standards (PDF)
Fifth grade English language arts standards
Fifth grade general music standards
Fifth grade health curriculum (PDF)
Fifth grade library curriculum (PDF)
Fifth grade math standards (PDF)
Fifth grade orchestra standards (PDF)
Fifth grade science curriculum (PDF)
Health and Physical Education
Health Education
Health education, in partnership with family and community, will provide learning experiences for students to acquire the knowledge and apply the skills necessary to advocate a healthy lifestyle. The elementary health curriculum:
- is integrated with the science curriculum.
- is a shared responsibility of classroom teachers, school nurse, school counselor, and physical education teacher.
- includes personal health, injury prevention and safety, substance use, misuse, and abuse, nutrition, product services, environmental and community health, family life and sexuality, and goal setting.
- has human growth and development units in fourth and fifth grade, with separate sessions for boys and girls
Students may be excused from such instruction with parental request and notification of the school principal.
Physical Education
Physical education curriculum and instruction promotes and supports:
- competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
- understanding of movement concepts, principles, strategies and tactics as they apply to learning and the performance of physical activities.
- regular participation in physical activity.
- achieving and maintaining a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.
- responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in physical activity settings.
- the value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, self-expression and social interaction.
Outdoor Recess Guidelines
Cold-Related Conditions
Outdoor recess will be held if:
- Outside air temperature and/or wind chill is 20° (F) or greater
- There is no falling precipitation
Limited outdoor recess will be held if:
- Outside air temperature and/or wind chill is between 10° and 19° (F)
- There is no falling precipitation
Indoor recess will be held if:
- Outside air temperature and/or wind chill is lower than 10° (F) or there is falling precipitation
Heat-Related Conditions
Regular recess:
- If the outside temperature or heat index is less than 95° (F)
Limited outdoor recess:
- Students may go out for a portion of their normal recess during the school day using the following guidelines for students and staff when the temperature or heat index is between 95° and 102° (F)
- Limit (as practical) outdoor recess, physical education classes and other activity.
- Make sure abundant water is available and frequent breaks are given.
- Consider allowing students to use water bottles in order to pre-hydrate.
- Watch for signs of heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat strokes.
Indoor recess:
- It is recommended that students and staff remain inside when the temperature or heat index is 103° (F) or greater.
Caution for students with asthma, allergies and other health-related respiratory conditions:
- Students with identified health-related issues will follow their individual health plans. When an orange or red skycast is given, the air quality is such that people who suffer from asthma, allergies and other health-related respiratory conditions are at a greater risk.
- Identify students (check with nurse) who have asthmatic conditions.
- Closely watch students for respiratory distress symptoms.
- Limit (as needed) outdoor activities for these students.
- If respiratory symptoms present themselves, have available a physician's prescribed medication or obtain medical treatment.
School Supplies
Elementary school supply lists may vary somewhat from school to school, but the districtwide list lets parents know the basic necessities. Parents are encouraged to check with their child's school to see which list the school uses.
Middle school and high school students will learn specific supply needs from their teachers on the first day of class.
NOTE: Students are requested to wear gym shoes on physical education days (white soles, no cleats, non-black scuff). Please label all school supplies with child's name. Your child's teacher will periodically request re-supplying certain items.
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Kindergarten
- First Grade
- Second Grade
- Third Grade
- Fourth and Fifth Grades
Early Childhood Special Education
- 1 box tissues, 500-count
- 2 glue sticks
- 1 bottle of school glue, 8 oz., white only
- 1 box regular size crayons, 24 color set
- 1 set of thick tip markers, 8 basic colors, water base, odorless, non-fluorescent
- 1 box quart- or gallon-size zip-closed bags
- 1 container bleach-free disinfectant wipes
- 2 packages diaper wipes or similar product
- 1 complete change of clothes (socks, shirts, pants, underwear)
- 1 backpack (medium size, no rollers)
Kindergarten
- 1 box 500-count tissues
- 24 regular size #2 pencils with erasers
- 4 glue sticks
- 1 bottle school glue, 8 oz., white only
- 1 yellow highlighter
- 1 box regular size crayons, 24-color set
- 2 packages odorless dry-erase markers
- 1 set of thick tip markers, 8 basic colors, water base, odorless, non-fluorescent
- 2 solid-color pocket folders with 2 storage areas (red, blue, green, yellow)
- 1 solid-color spiral notebook (red, blue, green, yellow)
- 1 box sandwich-sized zip-closed bags
- 1 box quart- or gallon-sized zip-closed bags
- 1 container bleach-free disinfectant wipes
- 1 package of Post-it notes (3x3 inches)
- 1 set of over-the-ear USB-C headphones (not earbuds)
- 1 backpack for carrying books and materials
- 1 school box
- 1 pair blunt-end scissors
- Bring white sock for white-board eraser
First Grade
- 2 boxes tissues, 500-count or 4 boxes, 250-count
- 24 regular size #2 pencils with erasers
- 4 glue sticks
- 1 bottle of school glue, 8 oz., white only
- 1 yellow highlighter
- 2 packages odorless dry-erase markers
- 4 spiral notebooks, wide-ruled, 80 sheets
- 2 pocket folders with 2 storage areas
- 1 rubber eraser
- 1 container bleach-free disinfectant wipes
- 1 package of Post-it notes (3x3 inches)
- 1 set over-the-ear USB-C headphones (not earbuds)
- 1 box regular-size crayons, 24-set
- 1 set of thick tip markers, 8 basic colors, waterbase, odorless, non-fluorescent
- 1 backpack for carrying books and materials
- 1 small school box
- 1 pair blunt-end scissors
- Bring white sock for white-board eraser
Second Grade
- 2 boxes tissues, 500-count or 4 boxes, 250-count
- 24 regular size #2 pencils with erasers
- 4 glue sticks
- 1 bottle of school glue, 8 oz., white only
- 2 yellow highlighters
- 2 packages odorless dry-erase markers
- 4 spiral notebooks, wide-ruled, 80 sheets
- 4 pocket folders with 2 storage areas, various solid colors
- 1 rubber eraser
- 1 container bleach-free disinfectant wipes
- 1 package of Post-it notes (3x3 inches)
- 1 set over-the-ear USB-C headphones (not earbuds)
- 1 box regular size crayons, 24- to 48-set
- 1 set of thick tip markers, 8 basic colors, waterbase, odorless, non-fluorescent
- 1 backpack for carrying books and materials
- 1 school box
- 1 pair blunt-end scissors
- Bring white sock for white-board eraser
Third Grade
- 2 boxes tissues, 500-count or 4 boxes, 250-count
- 24 regular size #2 pencils with erasers
- 4 glue sticks
- 2 highlighters (1 yellow and 1 of a different color)
- 3 packages odorless dry-erase markers
- 4 spiral notebooks, wide-ruled, 80 sheets
- 1 package wide-lined notebook paper, 100 sheets, with redline margin
- 1 three-ring 1" binder for the classroom and math (please do not purchase Trapper Keeper type)
- 5 pocket folders with 2 storage areas, various solid colors
- 1 container bleach-free disinfectant wipes
- 1 package of Post-it notes (3x3 inches)
- 1 set of earbud USB-C headphones
- 1 box regular size crayons, 24- to 48-set
- 1 ruler, 12-inch (standard and metric)
- 1 set of thick tip markers, 8 basic colors, water base, odorless, non-fluorescent
- 1 backpack for carrying books and materials
- 1 school box
- 1 pair blunt-end scissors
- Bring white sock for white-board eraser
Fourth and Fifth Grades
- 2 boxes tissues, 500-count or 4 boxes, 250-count
- 24 regular size #2 pencils with erasers
- 4 glue sticks
- 1 bottle school glue, 8 oz., white only
- 2 highlighters (1 yellow and 1 of a different color)
- 1 set of markers water base, odorless, non-fluorescent
- 3 packages odorless dry-erase markers (packs of 4 markers)
- 5 spiral notebooks, wide-ruled, 80 sheets
- 1 package wide-lined notebook paper, 100 sheets, with redline left margin
- 5 pocket folders with 2 storage areas, various solid colors
- 1 three-ring, 1-inch binder for math (please do not purchase Trapper Keeper type)
- 2 ball point pens of each color: black and blue
- 1 container bleach-free disinfectant wipes
- 1 package of Post-it notes (3x3 inches)
- 1 set of earbud USB-C headphones
- 1 box regular size crayons, 24- to 48-set
- 1 ruler, 12-inch (standard and metric)
- 1 backpack for carrying books and materials
- 1 school box
- 1 set of colored pencils
- 1 pair pointed medium scissors
