For example, our K gives out a huge packet of things to work on as well as a list of things that the child should know before entering K (20 of 25 sight words, 1:1 number correspondence, shapes, letters and sounds, and recognize name in print).
It always suprises me that kids DON'T know these basics when entering Kindergarten. In many preschools (2-3yrs) and pre K they are teaching letters, colors, numbers. These were all things our daycare center taught and we also did at home long before K.
Our district has grade level expectations on their website. You might see if your's does. I had a conversation once with a K teacher in our district (we are in a high income area and very few moms work so the kids aren't in preschool/daycare really). The K teacher told me the #1 goal for the first few months of K is to get the kids used to being away from mom for the first time in their lives. No wonder they can't learn anything. She said after an hour they are crying. I thought this was really pretty sad. I know this isn't the case for all kids but I bet for a lot it must be.
