Kindergarten

5 Years to 6 Years

The kindergarten program is designed to provide a varied, challenging and individualized experience thus promoting maximum potential for growth. Children work with specialists in physical education, music, art, computers and Spanish.

Mathematics: The course of study emphasizing understanding rather than memorization gives children opportunities to think, reason and problem solve. By using a variety of hands-on activities, children explore, discover, and learn to feel comfortable with mathematics. They build this knowledge to develop math strategies and procedures that make sense to them.

Reading/Language Arts: A whole language, and phonics approach, one in which reading, writing, listening and speaking are integrated in a stimulating, natural learning environment, is emphasized. The use of the "Big Book" program enables each child to take an active role in learning to read and write. Shared reading is done on a daily basis with accompanying small books. A daily journal, written in "inventive spelling" (spelling the way it sounds) allows each child to view reading as an expression of thought and as an activity for pleasure. The writing that is produced is limited only by imagination.

Social Studies: Children focus on themselves, their families and their multi-cultural community through national symbols, graphs, field trips and holiday celebrations.

Science: The program guides the curiosity of children through concrete experiences. The concept of " learning by doing", using the scientific method, ensures deeper understanding of the content areas. Topics explored include the five senses, magnets, plants, weather and animals. The curriculum is reinforced by current materials and textbooks.

Foreign Language: Spanish is introduced through the natural and age appropriate use of vocabulary and simple word phrases.

Computers:  Children achieve a level of comfort in the use of basic computer skills and a familiarity with the Kid Pix program.

Music: The students participate in a vocal music program which emphasizes pitch and rhythm recognition through rhythm exercises and expressive singing. Stories introducing some composers and their music are provided.

Art: Painting, printing, puppet making, collage and clay modeling are activities which afford our children an opportunity to freely express themselves and to develop independent and divergent thinking.

Physical Education: As with the rest of the curriculum, our physical education program is appropriate to children’s changing athletic capacities, accommodating both individual characteristics and the best known physical education instruction. The program works at creating connections between the body and the mind.