Science

Science is learned in themes with many hands-on experiences. Units of study center on geography, life, physical, and earth sciences. Students become paleontologists, astronauts, entomologists and meteorologists in their explorations.

Mathematics

The visual-spatial and language domains are used in everyday activities to establish mathematical skills. The goal is to acquire, apply, integrate, and evaluate numerical thinking as they construct new and expanded mathematical concepts of numeration, time and measurement. Kindergarten students utilize Everyday Mathematics® and EXCEL® curriculum to learn problem-solving and computation skills.

Language Arts

The language arts curriculum is a combination of reading, phonics, spelling, handwriting, and written expression. The ultimate goal of the language domain is for children to develop the capability to listen and express thoughts and feelings, interpret communications, and comprehend the knowledge of our world.

Reading / Writing
Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten reading time is coordinated with the lower school language arts classes. This allows a child's reading placement to be congruent with their individual reading level. Writing opportunities begin in Junior Kindergarten with scribbling, drawing, dictation, and the writing of letters and words. Kindergarten students create poetry, journal entries, and research projects throughout the year.

Phonics
Children learn letter and sound relationships in Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten phonics. They study rhyming, isolating and blending sounds, consonant and vowel sounds, word families, and sight words.

Handwriting/Spelling
Early childhood writing emphasizes correct paper placement and a tripod pencil position. Junior Kindergarten students are introduced to D'Nealian handwriting by writing names and words. Students begin to master upper and lowercase letter names, letter formation, and use inventive spelling. Many students will write in complete sentences, with capital letters and punctuation.

Social Studies

Early childhood social studies curriculum is all about the communities of school, city/town, state, and country of the young child. Kindergarten students learn these community concepts through text, discussion, literature, play, and field trips. These skills encourage children to become increasingly self-aware of their place in society.

Foreign Languages

Spanish and French

• Language Skills: Listening and speaking.
• Topics: Identity, greetings, colors, numbers, body parts, physical actions, directions, animals, food, clothing, family, house, classroom, days, weather, transportation, holidays and culture.
• Instruction: Total Physical Response (TPR), repetition, interaction, songs, rhymes, manipulatives, games and stories.
• Assessment: Observation, physical and verbal responses.

Japanese

• Focus: Correct pronunciation and use of body movement. Actions inspire the recall of words and visualized scenarios. Japanese songs, games, dance, origami and Chinese characters are introduced.
• Greetings: Good morning. How are you? I am fine. Good-bye. I feel hot, cold or comfortable. Holiday greetings.
• Vocabulary: Boy, girl, body parts, food, animals, weather, size, taste, and feelings.
• Writing: Students learn to write their names using Japanese syllabary and numbers in Chinese characters.

Chinese

• Focus: Pronunciation including Chinese songs, nursery rhymes, and games.
• Introduction to Chinese culture.
• Greeting: Good morning. Good afternoon. How are you? I am fine. Good-bye. I love my family members and friends, and holiday greetings.
• Vocabulary: Family members, counting (1-10), colors, body, fruits & vegetables, food, animals, clothing, seasons, daily necessities, and pronunciation of up to 60 vocabulary words.

Music

• Introduction and refinement of performance presence and events.
• Thematic singing selections.
• Exposure to different genres of music.
• Use of rhythm/percussion instruments.
• Active and passive listening leading to musical ideas and concepts.
• Rhythm and percussion patterns.
• Music knowledge (instrument sounds and identification, cultural music, multi-genre music).

Visual Arts

Artists will experience the art process based on monthly themes, of their classroom. They will learn how to mix colors, study texture and find patterns. Most importantly, students will understand that art is imagination and they can create art anytime, from anything. Examples of themes: underwater worlds, forests, and fantasy creatures.

Physical Education

Special attention is placed on maintaining the natural curiosity and movement confidence of young students. The focus of the curriculum is to build upon these natural abilities, as well as instill a sense of individual enjoyment and group cooperation.

Core Objectives:

• Improve balance, locomotor, hand-eye coordination, and ball skills.
• Develop body awareness and strength.
• Learn fair play practices and abide by game rules.
• Encourage good health practices (nutrition, rest, health care).