Bridging preschool education and future elementary school learning, this special year is when young students become accustomed to school routines and learn how to work in groups and follow directions; habits that can lead to a successful academic career – and well-balanced adults.
Building a Solid Foundation
As they navigate this year, children will grow as independent readers, becoming more familiar and comfortable with this vital building block of their education. Reading is intertwined into the daily lives of Kindergarteners. Consider reading as building a skyscraper; Kindergarten is for constructing the most solid reading foundation possible.
Mastering the Basics
In order to build effective reading skills, Kindergarteners will master letters of the alphabet (upper case/lower case) and their sounds. Young learners will be able to recognize and read several basic sight words, as well as comprehend the KINDERGARTEN DOLCH WORDS and WORD FAMILIES with ease. Students will also be able to identify and produce rhyming words, and add or substitute individual sounds in simple, one-syllable words to make new words. Additionally, Kindergarteners will be expected to compose and write one sentence on their own and to be able to copy a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) that reflects proper capitalization, indention, punctuation and correct spacing.
Concurrently with mastering reading skills, these young learners will be introduced to simple mathematical functions; they will understand numbers 1-100 and be able to perform one-digit addition and subtraction.
Introduction to Music
In Kindergarten, students develop an understanding of the basic building blocks of music (melody, rhythm, form, timbre) through movement, dance and song. Our young musicians will be able to describe and analyze music through contrasting characteristics of high/low, loud/soft, long/short, fast/slow and also gain social comfort by participating in group singing and dance.
Exercise for Everyone
We want for every Valiant to know instinctively that exercise and fitness is a necessary and vital component to their lives. Our physical fitness program challenges our students and teachers. Twice a week, the whole school spreads out for exercise; everyone participates in activities ranging from kickball, running, off-campus walking, hacky sack, break dancing, volleyball, salsa dancing or yoga.
A Spiritual Foundation
Kindergarteners will also be given a strong spiritual foundation, growing their faith and learning that God made the world and unconditionally loves them. They will also attend Mass approximately once a month.