Kindergarten Program

Language Arts:
The Kindergarten Language Arts curriculum integrates reading, writing, listening, thinking, speaking, and language experiences with the goal of exciting children about literacy. The reading readiness program in Kindergarten is phonics-based and incorporate experiences rich in language and literature. The program's initial approach to reading relies on letter knowledge and alphabet order, sound-spelling correspondences, and the blending of sounds into words. Recognizing words, understanding word meanings, and developing a sight vocabulary of the most frequently used words further prepares children to read. Student's enjoy being read a wide variety of literature. Group discussions are important in building reading comprehension. Students begin the writing process by dictating stories for publication.

Mathematics:
The Kindergarten Math curriculum uses an exploratory hands-on approach to help students reason and communicate mathematically, develop multiple problem solving strategies, and make mathematical connections. Computational practice is an integral part of instruction. The program builds on previous experience, offers repeated exposure to mathematical concepts, incorporates technology and integrates math into ongoing daily routines across the curriculum with a special emphasis on Science and Social Studies. Units in Kindergarten focus on reading, counting, and writing numbers to 100, skip counting by twos, fives, and tens, adding and subtracting through ten and with one from any number , understanding >,< and = based on counts, recognizing and making bar graphs, recognizing shapes, measuring in feet, telling time by the hour, estimating time, identifying and counting coins less than a dollar, and performing money exchanges. Social Studies:
The Kindergarten Social Studies program focuses on interrelated themes and uses an interdisciplinary/multisensory approach to help students learn about themselves and their family heritage, harvest time, Pilgrims and Native Americans, fire safety and Homes Around the World. Science:
In Science, Kindergarten students increase their awareness of themselves and their natural surroundings through hands-on activities, simple laboratory experiences, and the development of basic scientific skills. Our curriculum covers Earth Science, Physical Science, and Life Science. Units at this grade level focus on magnets, air pollution and recycling, the five senses and the human body.

Music:
In Music, Kindergarten students develop a basic understanding of rhythm through beginning dance, movement, and singing, and by playing rhythm instruments. Finger plays and drama are included.

Physical Education:
The Kindergarten Physical Education curriculum provides a variety of experiences for students with an emphasis on listening skills, fitness, body awareness, and cooperation.  Classes include both movement exploration activities and noncompetitive group, partner, and individual activities. The program centers on helping children develop specific gross and fine motor skills, and as the year progresses, the children begin to use some of these skills in a variety of low-organizational games.