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Trinity Lutheran School |
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Offering Quality Christian Education Since 1893 |
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Course Description |
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KINDERGARTEN BIBLE STUDY: Textbook: Voyages, Exploring God’s World Bible stories are taught in thirty six weekly units presented in chronological order. These lessons tell about God’s love for us and His plan for salvation. The use of posters, puppets, skits, songs, and Big Books aid in the teaching of the Bible stories. A family letter with a colorful illustration pertaining to the story is sent home each week so students can share the Gospel with their families. READING: Program: Ready Readers Modern Curriculum Press Ready Readers provides a collection of leveled books from a variety of genres including fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, and realistic fiction. This program incorporates letter recognition, phonemic awareness, phonics, print concept, writing and word recognition skills to move children through the progression of becoming successful readers and writers. PHONICS: Textbook: Modern Curriculum Press The phonics curriculum starts each lesson with letter recognition activities which are reinforced through handwriting. Phonemic awareness activities are included so that students learn to hear, focus on, and recognize sounds in words. With the sound to symbol activities, students make connections between the spoken sounds and the written letters. All of these activities develop the understanding that print conveys meaning and are all vital skills needed for reading. MATH: Textbook: Saxon Math Saxon Math builds on prior learning. New learning is presented in steps with time between steps for practice. Mathematical concepts are taught throughout the year rather than in separate units. The kindergarten curriculum is composed of the Meeting, New Concept, and Lesson Practice. During the Meeting, children practice calendar, counting, patterning, number recognition, time, money, problem-solving, and estimation skills. New Concepts are introduced through the use of manipulative and discussions. The lesson concludes with a practice of the introduced skill and handwriting numbers. HANDWRITING: Textbook: Scott Foresman D’Nealian Handwriting Book Students learn the basic letter forms, size, slant and spacing. Kindergarten begins with prewriting skills, progressing to upper and lower case letters, and individual words. COMPUTERS: Students enjoy educational games on the computer while learning mouse and keyboard skills. SCIENCE: Textbook: God’s World, a Beka Book God’s World is a book designed with the purpose of stimulating children’s interest in the world that God has made for them. Students will learn that God created and cares for all living things, and that He has a plan for each part of His creation. The units focus on God’s plan for me, weather, seasons, seeds, animals, and the seashore. SMALL GROUPS: During small group time, the students will be divided into skill groups. These groups will work at four different activities offering practice in literacy, fine motor, math, art and visual skills. One group is teacher directed to focus on the reading or math skills that each particular group needs. THEMATIC STUDY: Students will study a theme relating to social studies or science. Literature, music, art, writing, and other hands on activities will be used in the teaching of the selected topic. ART: Kindergarteners will experience art through the exploration of a variety of materials. Students will use markers, chalk, crayons, play dough, and paint. They will learn to use art materials and tools while expressing their creativity. PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Physical Education is held twice a week, either outside or in the gym. A variety of physical activities and games are played that foster team building and gross motor skills while teaching students the importance of physical activity within their lives. Students learn that stretching and warming up are necessary before starting physical activities, and that exercise is needed for keeping their bodies physically fit and healthy. MUSIC: Kindergarten students will participate in music through singing action songs, chants, rhymes, finger plays, and playing simple rhythmic classroom instruments. Students will practice singing in tune, using appropriate tone and expression, and responding to rhythm. These activities will help students learn to appreciate music. CENTERS: During Free Choice Centers, kindergarteners will choose to participate in activities contained in seven centers in the room – ABC, Writing, Pretend and Learn, Construction, Art, Library/Listening, and Math. Centers provide opportunities that develop social skills such as cooperation, sharing, language, and problem solving. It may seem like play, but play, after all, is part of children’s work. EXTRAS (PROJECTS) Kindergarten students undertake many projects throughout the school year. Included in these are: Participating in a Christmas program and Spring musical Putting on a Wednesday chapel service for the school and parents Participating in Lutheran Schools Week: spirit week and mini courses Participating in Fun Olympics Dressing up as a favorite Dr. Seuss character in celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday |
