The Langley School Junior Kindergarten At a Glance

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Junior Kindergarten At a Glance Below are a few of the exciting experiences that await your junior kindergartner in Langley’s Primary School:

• Thematic units that incorporate literacy, math, science, social studies, art, and technology

• Access to upper-level students, facilities, and spe-

cialists that enriches learning in a safe environment

The Langley School’s Arc of Development recognizes that the steepest part of a child’s development comes early, and that while every child’s path is unique, there are predictable cognitive, emotional, and social milestones. With this model, our students receive age-appropriate, inquiry-based instruction.

• Hands-on STEAM lessons and activities that promote curiosity and exploration

• On-stage performance for a division-wide thematic unit study that builds confidence

• Primary School assemblies that promote community, leadership, and public speaking

Learning in Action “JK students discover outer space inside our very own classroom space shuttle which they help create. As they learn about ways we can explore outer space, they imagine how they will become explorers. After a series of activities about constellations, we add simple star viewers to help them navigate their journeys.” -JK Teacher “Each year, we participate in a division-wide unit study that focuses on a theme which is integrated across multiple subject areas. During our ‘Bringing Literature to Life’ author study of Leo Lionni, students examined images and text to identify what defines his books and created clay animals and oil pastels based on his characters.” -JK Teacher “In order to learn about dinosaurs, JK students become archaeologists. They hunt for fossils in a sandbox and carefully clean away residue using tools like paintbrushes. After examining these bones, they make imprints in clay to visualize how fossils also include the patterns left behind. We read about how archaeologists work and learn about the journey of a skeleton from dig site to museum.” -JK Teacher


Units of Study: These units of study are examples of how we build age-appropriate, interdisciplinary lessons. The goal is to challenge, expand thinking, and inspire students to act on their curiosity, ask good questions, and solve problems. Social Studies: People and the Environment, People and the Past Essential Question: How has technology helped us learn about space in the past, present, and future? Skill/Activity: Design a spacecraft and imagine how you would travel to space Science: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth, and the Environment Essential Question: What can an ocean creature’s body tell us about its life? Skill/Activity: Investigate animals that live in the ocean, then sort pictures of ocean life to create logical aquarium displays Math: Number Recognition and Sense Essential Question: Why do people take different kinds of transportation? Skill/Activity: Choose a favorite vehicle, then create individual graphs with manipulatives to interpret number concepts Language Arts: Alphabet Knowledge, Letter Recognition, and Phonological Awareness Essential Question: What stories can fossils tell? Skill/Activity: Brainstorm what information we can learn from a fossil, then create a dinosaur outline and write the colors and patterns you imagine the dinosaur to have had

Sample Schedule 8:00-8:40 a.m.....................................Centers 8:40-9:00 a.m.....................Morning Meeting 9:00-9:40 a.m..........................................Math 9:40-10:10 a.m........................................Snack 10:10-10:50 a.m.......................“Specials” Class 10:50-11:20 a.m......................................Recess 11:20 a.m.-12:00 p.m...........................Literacy 12:00-12:40 p.m......................................Lunch 12:40-12:50 p.m.........................Closing Circle 12:50 p.m...........................................Dismissal 12:50-2:50 p.m....................The Leopard Spot Extended Day (optional)

What “Specials” Will My Child Have? Movement (2x/7-day cycle): gross motor development; understanding of self and general space; balance and coordination; individual ball skills; introductory sports skills Music (2x/7-day cycle): singing; rhythmic speech; movement; instrumentation; music appreciation and history Spanish (2x/7-day cycle): oral communication and comprehension through immersion; introduction to Hispanic culture; focus on practical themes Library (1x/7-day cycle): concept and purpose of school library; model library routines; listening comprehension; love of reading

Since we believe educational programs should continually evolve to meet the needs of our students, all curricular lessons and schedules referenced here are examples and may change. NOTE: Students applying to junior kindergarten must be four years old by September 30 of the year they start school.


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