Kindergarten - Green Fields Country Day School

Welcome To Kindergarten

Green Fields Country Day School Kindergarten offers:

A core curriculum that is developmentally in line with standards and practices supported by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, which are based on long standing research including studies done over time by leading child development specialists such as Piaget, Montessori and Erikson.
A classroom environment that is safe, stimulating and nurturing while offering “hands-on,” problem-solving opportunities relating to the child's social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs.
Multiple intelligence modalities of learning (linguistic, logical, spatial, kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalist) that address social, emotional, cognitive and physical spheres within the child in an effort to stimulate the five senses, imagination, communication/language, as well as physical movement within all content areas.

The kindergartener, the parents, the teachers and the administrators form a partnership that guides the child's education throughout the year. Careful ongoing assessments, both informal and formal, by all of the partners, including the child, determine the key areas of needed reinforcement. Being in a classroom that integrates heart, head and hands, the kindergartener will have a productive year.

Methods of Instruction in the Classroom

Developmentally appropriate, child-centered activities that enhance interest in learning and encourage active exploration;
Positive associations that connect learning to praise, acceptance acknowledgement, internal & external rewards and fun;
Guidelines with formal & informal and overt & covert structures;
Lessons and learning centers that teach skills and knowledge through multiple intelligence modalities;
Learning centers that offer students practice skills & extend learning;
Thematic units that integrate learning across the curriculum.

Reaching success as a kindergartener at Green Fields means:

showing unconditional acceptance and respect;
contributing to group social, cognitive and physical activities;
fully participating in the process of learning;
gaining knowledge & skills through play and real life applications.

Core Curriculum

Language Arts

Predicting, auditory processing, comprehension, observation, oral expression, written expression through pictures and words, sequencing & ordering, vocabulary development, letter sounds – at the beginning, middle and end of words, letter combinations, sight words, reading vocabulary controlled books and enjoying independent reading.

Math

Number sense, 1 more and 1 less, before, after and in between, story problems, single digit addition and subtraction, skip counting by 2's, 5's,& 10's, place value, measurement– time on the clock to the hour and 1/2 hour, ruler to 1/2 & 1 inch, capacity to 1/2 cup, simple fractions, calendar, and geometry – plane and solid shapes.

Thematic Units

Science and Social Studies topics to explore our community and natural world.

Interwoven throughout the Program to Address the Four Spheres within a Child

Appreciation of the child as an individual Sensitivity to cultures

Safety Joy Choices Arts/Creative expression Real life experiences

Discovery Exploration Problem solving Process Child-centered

Emotional (Feeling) Social (Connecting with others)

                      Self control                                        Citizenship

                      Conscience                                        Conversation

                      Clear Limits                                        Kindness

                      Acceptance                                      Moral Rules

                      Personal Interests                               Positive Relationships

                      Level of stimulation                             Collaboration

                      Fears                                                 Small / Large group interactions

                      Internal motivation                              Negotiation

                      Appreciation of self                             Cooperation

                                                                             Helping

Cognitive (Thinking) Physical (Moving)

Active Learning Active guided play

Language-based Indoor instruction/play

Curriculum/Assessment guidlines Outdoor instruction/play

Application to real life Free Expression

Use of 5 senses Large and small muscle movement

Success at each level Nutrition

Recognition of individual interests Protection from the sun

Honoring different learning styles Health and hygiene

Creative expression

Verbal, oral language responses

Visual expression through words/pictures

Questions/inquiry

Meaningful content

“Creating a literate, problem solving, risk-free, higher-level critical thinking, encouraging environment, taking into account individual needs, desires and learning styles is the embodiment of Best Practices in any developmentally appropriate classroom.” Lynn Cherkasy-Davis (Foundations School-Chicago)

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