READY FOR KINDERGARTEN?
Kindergarten is open to students who turn five by August 31 and who meet the basic readiness requirements. We screen potential students to help families decide if their child is ready for kindergarten. The assessment is conducted by one of our teachers in an individualized session after an application has been submitted. Other resources are provided for free to help parents better prepare their child for school.
CURRICULUM FOR KINDERGARTEN
BIBLE
Each week a Bible verse is memorized and discussed. The daily Bible lesson follows the Bob Jones University Press curriculum. A chapel with Kindergarten through 3rd grade is scheduled every Wednesday with many special presentations and a wonderful time of worship.
PHONICS AND READING
Initial consonant and vowel sounds are emphasized in the first three months of school. Reading groups are established after Christmas. Single vowel concepts are firmly established, followed by the two-vowel concept. Also, consonant blends, such as “pr” in “pray” and “st” in “stop”, are learned. These blends and vowel rules make it possible for the average kindergarten student to leave our program with solid reading skills.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Students develop spelling skills as they learn letter sounds and begin to write simple sentences. Children create class books and short stories that reinforce phonetic skills, as well as frequent journal writing. Songs, poems, and sign language are often incorporated.
HANDWRITING
Manuscript handwriting is practiced daily using the same letters being learned in Phonics. Numbers and the child’s name are also practiced in handwriting.
MATH
Our kindergarten classes learn mastery skills in numbers 1-20, counting to 100 in a variety of ways, addition, subtraction, describe and extend patterns, comparison of sets, and problem-solving. Students learn to compare and order lengths, weight, and capacity using nonstandard units. They will be able to identify coins and count simple money combinations. Other skills kindergarteners practice include exploration of ordinal numbers, writing number sentences, using manipulatives and drawings to represent addition and subtraction stories, sorting by attributes, identifying similarities and differences, exploration of geometrical concepts of size and position with 2- and 3-dimensional shapes. They will collect, organize, and interpret data representing it in the form of graphs and data organizers. Our curriculum, Math In Focus by Singapore Math, uses a step-by-step approach introducing concepts concretely, pictorially, and then abstractly integrating collaborative activities.
SCIENCE
Sample units include apples, pumpkins, animals, magnets, weather, oceans, seasons, seeds, penguins, bugs, colors, and taking care of our bodies. Bob Jones University Press publishes Kindergarten Beginnings.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Lesson units include Community Helpers, Our Great Country, and Children Around the World.
MUSIC APPRECIATION
Music instruction is an important part of our program. The love for singing and the appreciation of music is emphasized in music class. They perform concerts each year where they learn to share the “song in their hearts”. A basic foundation of music and love for music is emphasized.
COMPUTERS
Computers are a part of our school program, using tools such as educational software to develop familiarity with the computer and keyboarding skills. Progression of these skills is emphasized in each grade level.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
In providing a well-rounded program, P.E. is offered one day each week, teaching the students activities that encourage coordination, cooperation and problem-solving as well as plenty of exercise.
SPANISH
Students are introduced to the Spanish language as they begin learning common words and phrases. Lessons emphasize development of vocabulary, listening comprehension and verbal communication skills.
ART
Students are introduced to the world of art as they begin drawing using basic shapes (circle, straight line, rectangle, etc.). They also learn about pattern, texture, and color using a variety of mediums. These skills are developed throughout the years as they create various art projects.
LIBRARY
Students are introduced to elements of the library system, with increasing research skill progression in subsequent grade levels. Students are able to check out books each week.
