Kindergarten
Kindergarten Overview The kindergarten program at FRA uses a variety of learning approaches to engage and challenge our students. We: • • •
Provide hands-on learning Encourage social interaction Provide developmentally-appropriate activities
• • •
Teach a sense of community Introduce a joy of literature Set a strong foundation in math
The goal of the kindergarten curriculum at FRA is to instill in each student an excitement for learning and a positive attitude toward school and the learning process. Our daily schedule progresses according to the needs of our students and the events of the day. Teachers make adjustments to the schedule as needed; however, they work to establish routines that make our students’ day structured and predictable. Teachers utilize a variety of instructional techniques that allow differentiated instructions in multiple modalities, such as audio, visual, and kinesthetic teaching strategies. Lessons are taught in a variety of ways ranging from whole-class to small-group to individual instruction. Children are taught in a loving, Christian environment while being provided an interactive, engaging learning experience based on current research and proven educational practices. The children are involved in philanthropic activities that encourage them to care for their communities. Children are also provided with opportunities to showcase their talents in performing arts through leading devotion for the lower school and performing in the spring musical. To ensure a child’s education is off to a good start, the kindergarten curriculum should set the stage for positive attitudes toward school and learning. This produces children who view learning as fun, meaningful, and rewarding.
Program Highlights: We provide a variety of meaningful learning experiences that foster each child’s character and academic development. These opportunities lead students along their educational journey.
• Christmas Devotion: Kindergarten students are given the opportunity to present a devotion to the entire lower school. This opportunity allows our kids to have experience speaking into the microphone, dressing the part, and sharing the Word of God.
• Philanthropy Focus: In kindergarten, our students will focus on what it means to serve and how they can
actively serve our community. We provide our students with hands-on learning opportunities throughout the school year by caring for and mending the Butterfly and Learning Gardens located behind the lower school. We also partner with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to raise money through a Trike-A-Thon in the spring.
Academic Highlights Literacy: • • • • •
Making new words using common word families Blending and segmenting words into syllables and sounds Using phonics to decode words Identifying story elements Using context and picture clues to make predictions
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Using context clues to identify vocabulary in texts Identifying concept words Writing a complete sentence with correct sentence structure Using high frequency words in writing Participating in shared research projects
Math: • • • • • •
Counting forward and counting backward Skipping counts by twos, fives, and tens Using math vocabulary when explaining solutions Using concrete, pictorial, and symbolic models to show addition and subtraction Writing addition and subtraction stories to match a given situation Creating and extending patterns
2021-22
• • • •
Ordering objects by length and weight Describing and comparing objects by position Comparing areas using non-standard units Representing and interpreting data by tally charts and pictographs
Kindergarten Program Schedule 7:45 a.m.
Arrival: Students are greeted as they unpack and engage in Morning Work activities.
7:50 a.m.
Devotion: During this special time, students will have the opportunity to share prayer requests and praises. We then read together and discuss a Bible story and verse before closing with prayer time. On Wednesdays, we attend a lower school chapel program led by various FRA staff members and individual classrooms.
8 a.m.
Literacy Block: Students work on developing an enthusiasm for reading as well as skills and strategies that will enrich their enjoyment and understanding of the written text. Students apply these strategies to a variety of literary genres and reading materials. Our mission is to cultivate independence and a strong love for learning. Whole-Group Lesson: Students participate in a whole-group lessons using Fountas and Pinnell classroom interactive read aloud texts that help students become independent readers. Small Group: The students work with the teacher in a small group. During this time, the teacher provides differentiated instruction that addresses the students’ specific needs as readers. Daily 5 Stations: As the teacher is meeting with small groups, we implement a daily framework referred to as “The Daily 5.” This framework structure fosters greater independence and daily practice in all major components of literacy: independently reading to self, reading to someone, working on a writing piece, word study, and listening to fluent reading. Being a Writer: The Being a Writer program provides a writing process approach to teaching writing that interweaves academic and social/emotional learning. We use authentic children’s literature to create a collaborative classroom environment where teachers facilitate student discussion, provide a model for the respectful exchange of ideas, and help students develop their own voices. Phonemic Awareness: We want our children to be phonemically aware, meaning they can isolate sounds, manipulate sounds, and blend and segment sounds into spoken and written words. Handwriting: Handwriting is an important foundational literacy skill. With the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting program, your child will develop cognitive ability and confidence to more efficiently perform the skills required in other content areas.
9:45 a.m.
Enrichments: Students attend one of five enrichment classes for 45 minutes each day: STEM Lab • Guidance • Performing Arts • Visual Arts • Spanish • Media Center
10:30 a.m.
Recess: Kindergarten students enjoy a common recess time on the playground.
11:10 a.m.
Lunch
11:45 a.m.
Math: The Math in Focus curriculum uses problem solving to develop deep conceptual understanding. Concepts are taught through a concrete, pictorial, and abstract progression involving real-life, handson experiences. BUILD Math Centers are used to accompany the curriculum. Through these centers, students solve math problems in many different ways, and teachers meet daily with small groups that are fluid based upon the child’s strengths and weaknesses in four main categories: algebraic thinking, measurement and data, numbers and operations, and geometry.
12:45 p.m.
Physical Education: All kindergarten students will participate in P.E. together for 30 minutes daily.
1:20 p.m.
Science/Social Studies: Students use a hands-on approach to inquire within five main units: science, engineering and technology, life science, earth science, and physical science.
1:45 p.m.
Snack, Rest, and Independent Work Time
2:35 p.m.
Departure: Students gather their belongings before going to After School Extended Care, an afterschool enrichment, or home. 2021-22
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