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Academics ~ Kindergarten
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"The important thing is not so much that every child should be
taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn."
~ John Lubbock
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Sarah Hopkins |
Appointed: 2007 |
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Ellen Lauterbach |
Appointed: 2008 |
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Sarah Hall |
Appointed:
2010 |
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Debbie Edwards |
Appointed:
1995 |
Kindergarten Curriculum
St.
Mary’s Kindergarten program offers a developmentally appropriate, nurturing,
Christian community where the children are encouraged to learn by doing.
Students explore and develop a love of learning through active, hands-on
activities and cooperative learning skills. A stimulating, balanced curriculum
enables the student to develop individual interests, take educational risks, and
become a thriving member of a community of learners at St. Mary’s. Both
Kindergarten classes have a full-time assistant in order to provide each child with
the necessary care and attention.
READING
The language arts program provides a comprehensive
curriculum, which incorporates reading, language, auditory, and handwriting
skills. The Letter People language arts series provides a fun-filled, creative,
age-appropriate atmosphere, which inspires children to interact, move, sing, and
experiment. Students develop vocabulary, comprehension, sequencing/retelling,
questioning techniques, phonemic awareness, book/print awareness, word-attack
strategies, punctuation, and literary conventions. This phonetic-based first
grade program enables the children to participate in individual, small group,
and whole-class experiences that differentiate learning. The D’Nealian method of
handwriting (Scott-Foresman) is used in all the Primary grades. This method
uses a continuous stroke and the emphasis is on the ease of forming letters.
The D’Nealian program offers an easy transition from manuscript to cursive.
MATHEMATICS
The Kindergarten mathematics program provides experiences in all the strands of
mathematics including graphs, patterns, geometry, time, money, sorting,
estimation, measurement, and problem solving. Using both Houghton Mifflin and
Math Their Way, our math curriculum incorporates mental arithmetic activities,
which encourages children to develop an abstract number sense and to move toward
mastery of addition facts.
SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES
The science/social studies program provides students with hands-on experiences
and opportunities to explore, discover, question, and reflect. Each month, the
children study a different science or social studies unit, such as All About Me
or Insects. Children work and experiment both cooperatively and independently
while discovering the world around them. Throughout the year, the children will
study about the State of Florida. They will be exposed to maps, where we live,
and our surrounding community.
VISUAL ARTS
Children create art and learn about the basic art concepts and techniques, such
as line, shape, color, space, texture, form, and value. Learners acquire an
appreciation and understanding of featured artists and the techniques used.
TECHNOLOGY
Each
classroom is equipped with four Dell computers, a SMART board, a color printer, laser scanner,
and a laptop for the head teacher. In the Computer Lab, children are instructed
in the use of the mouse, the keyboard, and the printer. Age appropriate
computer activities that develop problem-solving abilities, and reinforce
concepts are presented in math and language arts. Students are taught the
basics, computer care, the parts of the computer, how to insert, start, and exit
a CD program, how to navigate from one program to another, and how to save.
Several software programs are used that help to promote fine motor skills and
mouse control as well as reinforce what is being taught in the classroom. The
Internet is introduced as early as Pre K and Kindergarten, by accessing
designated sites through the Favorites menu. Kindergarten’s special project is
the Counting Book, which reinforces many of the skills introduced in class.
MUSIC
Kindergarten music is based on Orff-Schulwerk methodology, incorporating speech,
singing, movement, and instrument playing. The emphasis in each class is the
active participation of each child. Students learn to echo sing using all scale
degrees, recognize musical symbols, plus note and rest values of quarter and
eighth notes through the heart chart. The students also learn to recognize
instrument families of the orchestra, recognize instruments, move in rhythmic
patterns, and properly play the barred Orff pitched percussion using correct
mallet technique.
SPANISH
Kindergarten students will continue to focus on the spoken language. This
practice will coincide with the regular classroom instruction. Students
will actively participate and gain confidence in listening and responding.
The program will be flexile to allow for various levels of competency. A
certified instructor facilitates all instruction once a week.
LIBRARY
During weekly visits Kindergarten students enjoy story time and book checkout.
Introductory library skills, responsible library usage, and literature
appreciation are taught in library class. Award-winning stories and selections
from the current Florida Reading Association list are included in the book
selections.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Kindergarten students continue to work on gross motor skills as well as group
and individual skills. More emphasis is placed on manipulatives, (i.e. hula
hoops, beanbags, jump ropes, balls etc.). The PE teacher provides opportunities
to practice these skills through the introduction of organized games.
RELIGION
The
curriculum and chapel services are rooted in the Episcopal faith. As part of the
curriculum, the students are introduced to Christian Values, as well as the
Sacred Stories of the Bible through a variety of activities. Emphasis on how
God wants us to treat each other with kindness, love, and respect, is a
recurring theme throughout the year. The whole school attends chapel services
twice a week.
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The
children in Kindergarten sit at individual desks arranged in groups, which
support individual as well as small or whole-class learning. These groups of
desks couple as learning centers for hands-on activities and the frequent use of
manipulatives. A loft provides a quiet place for the children to go upstairs to
read or downstairs to the construction area to build creations.
FIELD TRIPS/RESOURCE SPEAKERS
Field trips and resource
speakers are coordinated with the social studies and science units. In addition,
the students celebrate many special days in Kindergarten. Among these days are
the 100th day of school, Grandparent’s Day, Blessing of the Pets,
Thanksgiving Feast, Spirit Day, Nativity Pageant, assembly performances, and
Reindeer Games. Our community outreach project is Metropolitan Ministries.
Children donate toys and food all year long to help establish the importance of
giving.
St. Mary's Episcopal Day School
2101 South Hubert Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33629
(813) 258-5508
Fax: (813) 258-5603
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