Kindergarten
At The College School we understand that the more children are involved in their learning, the more focused they are as learners. In kindergarten, the teachers document children's inquiries and interests and use them to help shape the curriculum.
Through direct instruction of core subjects, open-ended projects and unstructured (yet, thoughtfully crafted) playtimes, kindergarten children develop a thirst for knowledge. Teacher-directed lessons and child inspired projects balance the core subjects of language arts, math, science and social skills with other important life skills such as inquiry, creativity, confidence, critical thinking, risk-taking and self-discovery.
We recognize that each child enters kindergarten at different places along the developmental continuum. Through a variety of small group instruction times and individual assessments, we are able to meet each child where s/he is, and then nurture and support each individual to move forward in his or her educational experience.
Each week, core curricular components are addressed, including social-emotional, language arts, handwriting, mathematical, and scientific concepts. During kindergarten afternoons, children make choices to play and work in many areas within the classroom. These areas are designed to be open-ended and promote a platform for imaginative play. They also support kindergarten children in their exploration of core curricular concepts. Areas include the message center, reading area, light house, sand box, construction platform, dress-up area and natural materials area.
We also know that fresh air and sunshine are important for healthy development, so children are offered time to play out of doors on a daily basis. In addition, children participate in drama, spanish, music and physical education classes with our specialist teachers. They also visit the mini-atelier to study art instruction with our atelierista.
Themes and projects, which are ever evolving and changing, may last for a few months or the entire year. They develop and grow from the interests of students and teachers. These projects and themes integrate math, science, art and language arts, allowing the children to learn and extend their thinking on a deeper level while engaged in compelling activities that are interesting and exciting to them.
Our full kitchen allows cooking to be an integral part of the kindergarten curriculum. Cooking is integrated in various ways depending on student interest. This small group experience supports scientific, mathematical and nutritional thinking.
Adventure Education in kindergarten is explored through outdoor experiences, wilderness hiking, and rock climbing. Our studies culminate with kindergarten children spending the day hiking several miles and exploring ponds, a creek bed and a pit cave. They carry their own supplies, write several journal entries, battle bugs, fight fatigue and end the day feeling tired but accomplished. Cooperation, collaboration, leadership, responsibility among other skills are developed and fostered throughout the theme.
It is our hope to nurture and inspire self-confidence. We want each child to take responsibility in his or her own learning. And we seek to empower children to understand their place as citizens within a global community. Welcome to kindergarten!
