Kindergarten classes are
taught in a half-day format or a full-day fromat, Monday through Friday. Morning sessions are held from
7:55 a.m. until 10:55 a.m. Afternoon sessions begin at 11:40 p.m. and last until
2:40 pm. All day Kindergarten is held from 7:55 a.m. until 2:40 a.m.
The basis for the language arts program is
letter and sound recognition. Weekly units incorporate various subjects to correlate
with the current letters being taught. Also, a wide range of types of literature
are used to enhance lessons and themes. Journaling and class books are used to
encourage pre-writing skills.
An introduction to books and libraries is
an important part of the Kindergarten curriculum. Key lessons involve proper
behavior in a library and care of books. Students also select a book each
week. Students learn basic literary terms, including: author, illustrator, cover,
spine, and pages. A wide variety of stories and poems are read with the children.
Students learn math best by doing math
themselves. A hands-on approach using manipulatives fosters the student's
understanding of patterning, classification, comparison, measurement, numbers, numerical
correlation, and counting by intervals. They are also introduced to time, money,
fractions, addition, and subtraction.
Our students attend a regularly scheduled
science class taught by our science enrichment instructor. In the classroom, science
themes are woven into the language arts and religion lessons. Other science
activities include: raising butterflies in the classroom; field trips to McMillen
Health Center, Parkview Hospital, and a local fitness center.
At the kindergarten level, students learn
about our community and what it means to be a responsible, contributing member of society.
The Kindergarten religion curriculum is
designed to open the children up to God's love through discovery of the many good things
that God has placed in their world. Using the children's natural characteristics and
human experiences, they are led to an awareness of God's goodness in creation, in the
wonder of their own unique selves, and in the love of the people around them.
Basic exploration of computers is
encouraged through the use of educational programs during weekly visits to the computer
lab.
Field trips are taken once a month.
Each trip is directly related to the themes and lessons taught in the classroom during the
month.
Students work together to prepare three
special programs during the school year to which parents and guardians are invited.
At Christmas, a play about the First Christmas is presented for parents, grandparents, and
siblings. In February, dads are invited to school for a special evening for a little
one-on-one time with their children. In May, a program for moms and grandmothers is
given to show our appreciation for all that they do for the children.
Music, Art, and
Physical Education
Students learn rhythm through
movement. The goal is to discover the underlying beat within a piece of music.
They also learn what instruments can be found in an orchestra.
Art is used extensively in the classroom
to reinforce themes and concepts as well as provide an outlet for personal expression.
In physical education, students work on
developing physical fitness and motor skills that require large muscle control during
activities.
