KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM |
Balanced Literacy |
We approach Language Arts using a Balanced Literacy Curriculum allowing us to meet the needs of all learners at the Kindergarten level.
Reading Workshop gives students the opportunity to explore books and practice reading strategies daily. Students read independently as well as with partners, meet with the teacher for reading conferences as well as for strategy/small group instruction.
Writing Workshop gives young writers an opportunity to write about things that are meaningful to them while sketching, labeling and writing stories. Students choose and publish pieces of writing to share with an audience and give compliments and comments about peer work.
Shared Reading allows students to practice book handling skills, directionality, one-to-one matching, punctuation, as well as discussing author/illustrator and story components.
Interactive read-alouds with accountable talk allow students to listen and talk about wonderful books, concentrate on using strategies for comprehension and have meaningful conversations about the text.
Story time
Word Study/Phonics touches upon letter/sound relationships, spelling strategies for encoding and decoding words and work on high frequency (word wall) words.
Interactive Writing allows students to “share the pen” to co-create a text with the teacher. |
Mathematics |
Math
is integrated throughout the day and across the
curriculum. The Chicago Everyday Mathematics
Program is based on repeated exposure of concepts.
New ideas and concepts are introduced and
integrated into children's everyday learning
experiences. Each strand (topic) is designed as a
spiral that begins at a simple level and grows with
the child's experience. The spiral ensures repeated
exposure to key mathematical concepts. The students
learn through hands-on experiences, math
activities, games and learning centers.
A variety of topics are explored: patterning &
reasoning, number sense, problem solving,
estimating, graphing, time, money, place value,
geometry, symmetry, collecting & recording
data, and measurement. |
Science |
Our
Science program actively involves children in
exploration and discovery. Through hands-on
investigations and problem solving, children grow
in their knowledge and understanding of the world
around them. The primary aim of our science program
is to expose children to new experiences, arouse
their curiosity, and encourage them to investigate
and explore answers through hands-on
activities.
Our Science units include: Our Five Senses,
Fabrics, Plants/Seeds, Animals, Seasons and
Weather using the Learning Habitat. |
Social Studies |
In Social Studies,
students will explore civics, geography,
humanities, history, and economics. The classroom
serves as a model community where children are
proud of being good citizens. Throughout the year
holidays such as Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King
Jr.'s Birthday, Presidents' Day and Earth Day help
the children relate personally to social studies
topics. Topics are reinforced through a strong use
of literature, as well as the integration of
science, math and the arts. |
Physical Development |
The
children will learn developmentally appropriate
skills in both the areas of fine and gross
motor.
Children are given many opportunities to develop
fine motor skills by manipulating small objects,
cutting, drawing, coloring, and painting. Children
participate in many fine motor activities
throughout the day. Through these activities
children will be able to hold scissors
appropriately, use markers, crayons, and pencils
correctly and form shapes, letters and numbers.
Gross motor development helps to strengthen large
muscle groups and enhance balance and coordination.
Gross motor activities include walking, skipping,
hopping, catching, and throwing a ball. These
skills are reinforced through indoor and outdoor
activities both with the classroom teachers and the
physical education department. |
Work Habits |
Students
learn to follow classroom routines and rules. Some
expected routines include hanging up jackets and
backpacks, handing in homework, and packing up at
the end of the day. Throughout the year it is
important for children to become increasingly aware
of their classroom responsibilities by taking
turns, sharing, cleaning up (both individually and
when part of a team), taking care of classroom
supplies, and putting things in their proper place.
We also encourage the children to become
"independent" learners. The children learn to
become responsible for themselves and for our
classroom. |
Open Circle |
Open Circle is a comprehensive social and emotional learning program that supports children in developing the skills needed to be good learners and form healthy, positive relationships with people throughout their lives. Students will be involved in discussions and age appropriate lessons using key vocabulary/phrases and companion literature covering topics such as: being a good listener, non-verbal signals, dealing with teasing and annoying behaviors, “Double-D” behaviors, recognizing differences, problem solving, staying clam, breathing techniques, understanding feelings and body language and giving and receiving compliments. |
Fun, Fun, Fun |
Yes,
our program also offers plenty of time to have fun.
We sing songs, act out stories, color, play with
Play-doh, build with blocks, dance, make homemade
treats, paint, make lots of fun projects, go on
nature walks, and play on the playground. We also
put on shows for the parents, go on field trips,
and we even have opportunities for parents to come in and read, cook or share a special talent. Our program
offers lots of laughter, smiles, and love. |
Jr. Kindergarten |
Junior
Kindergarten is a readiness class designed for
Kindergarten aged children needing time
to acclimate to a school environment. The goal of
this program is to give the "gift of
time" to allow them to prepare for Kindergarten the
following year. This program is a hands-on program
focused on instilling a love for learning in each
child with an emphasis placed on the method of
learning rather than the output. The curriculum prepares the children for the exiting challenges that await them in Kindergarten, moving at our own pace and helping each child’s development. Junior Kindergarten encourages the
development of a broad set of skills, including
gross and fine motor skills, language skills, and
listening skills, while at the same time developing
a foundation in core subjects. In addition, students are introduced to Reading and Writing Workshops and basic math concepts to help them make a smooth and confident transition to Kindergarten. |
Technology |
During Technology/Media class students learn different programs to link technology to curriculum with instruction given by both the Tech/Media specialist and the classroom teacher. Students are given additional technology time using classroom computers, lab computers and actively being engaged in Smart board lessons supporting all curricular areas. |
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