Our K/5’s Fundamentals program offers a personalized, child-friendly approach to learning. Using a highly regarded multi-sensory approach which combines phonemic skills with writing and spelling, our program helps children increase reading and writing success. The engaging, hands on approach continues in our math, social studies, and science programs, and the children benefit from instruction Spanish, gym, music, technology and art. Five full days a week allows your child to learn and grow in a nurturing, unhurried environment.
Character Development
The “Culture of Kindness” emphasized in our preschool programs continues in kindergarten with an emphasis on respect for self and others, responsibility, honesty, and compassion. Teachers integrate these values throughout our curriculum, and also teach specific lessons focused on the importance of caring for ourselves and others.
Themes
Our kindergarteners enjoy exploring our curriculum through monthly thematic units, such as “Meet Me”, “All About Fall”, and “Children’s Literature Classics”.
Literacy
Building literacy skills continues to be an important aspect of our program in kindergarten. We use the “Fundations” program, a multisensory approach which combines handwriting activities with phonemic awareness to help develop both reading and writing skills. Comprehension, fluency, and decoding strategies are introduced as children progress, with our experienced teachers differentiating to provide the appropriate level of challenge or support. Activities such as journal writing and author study make reading and writing a pleasurable experience for our students.
Math
Students use a variety of materials to explore mathematical concepts which include: Numerical and proportional reasoning, such as using numbers to count, order and quantify; basic Geometry including three-dimensional shapes; standard units of measure; and organizing and interpreting data in graphs and charts. We also continue to work on writing numerals, understanding addition and subtraction, and we introduce money, with a focus on coin denominations. Again, our excellent teacher to student ratio permits us to adjust the instruction offering either additional challenge or support as needed.
Social Studies
There is so much to find out about our world! Our social studies program explores our own cultures and the cultures of those around us, as well as current and historical events. As a young child’s view of the world begins with what he or she knows about him or herself, we begin by building on that as we expand our understanding of others, past and present.
Science & Technology
From hands-on science experiments, to innovative use of technology in our classrooms ranging from digital cameras, to SmartBoards to iPods, we understand that children learn best by doing. Our creative teachers use science and technology in exciting and engaging ways to bring new learning experiences into our classroom everyday.
Art
Children enjoy the process of creating art, and we introduce new tools and materials and techniques to them in kindergarten to continue to make this an engaging experience for them. We also begin looking at “products” of some artists whose work is very appealing to children such as Picasso, Chagall, and Matisse. Through exploring the work of other artists, children are introduced to new ideas about ways to create, as well as new ways to discuss and think about their own art.
Spanish
Children study Spanish language and culture through songs, stories, games and activities which relate to the themes they are working on in class. Common vocabulary such as days of the week, colors, numbers and frequently used phrases are also incorporated into the curriculum.
Physical Education
Teamwork and sportsmanship are key concepts for our kindergarteners. We cheer for our friends while learning new games, building our stamina, and gaining hand-eye coordination with a wide variety of developmentally appropriate games and activities.
Music
Using both new and familiar songs, children sing, dance, and play instruments as they are introduced to musical terminology, and learn about concepts such as keeping time. Since part of the joy of acquiring these skills is sharing them with others, there is a performing arts component to our music program as well and our kindergarten delights us each year with an end-of-year show.