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 SJCS Curriculum by Grade
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students continue mastery of items introduced in Jr. K while adding math, calendar and time, handwriting, and reading readiness to their current skills. Science and health are introduced in kindergarten, allowing students to become actively involved in discovering God’s creation. Kindergarten students are characterized by an eagerness to learn through hands-on activities, experiments, community resources, and field trips.
Highlights in Kindergarten
Letter books
Field trips
Flannel Bible stories
Centers
Thanksgiving feast
Christmas program
Grand Friends Day
Graduation
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Bible- God’s Wonders. (Christian Schools International)
In kindergarten, stories of the Old Testament and the life of Jesus help students grow in their understanding of who God is and how He cares for His people. Old Testament topics include creation, patriarchs, the exodus, kings and prophets, the exile, and the return to Israel. Jesus’ birth, teachings, death, and resurrection are covered later in the year. Kindergartners listen to storytelling, watch a flannel board, memorize scripture, and do hands-on activities in order to learn and remember these lessons.
Math- Math K/1- An Incremental Development. (Saxon)
Kindergarten math provides the foundation needed for students to develop basic math skills. In each lesson students learn through hands-on experience, discussion, and exploration. Main topics include calendar, patterning, numeration, number operations, telling time, counting money, recognizing shapes, understanding basic fractions, sequencing, geometry, measurement and graphing. A variety of techniques such as, the use of manipulatives, written and oral practice, problem solving, and group work are used to meet each student’s learning style.
Language Arts- Beginning to Read, Write, and Listen. (Macmillian/McGraw-Hill)
Kindergartners use Beginning letter books to develop a basis for understanding letters as written symbols for spoken sounds. The curriculum integrates reading, handwriting, spelling, auditory, and oral language skills. Letter books provide visual, kinesthetic, and auditory activities which help develop manual dexterity, perceptual awareness, and other essential readiness skills.
Phonics- Beginning to Read, Write, and Listen. (Macmillian/McGraw-Hill)
Phonics is an integral part of our reading/language arts program. In each letterbook students are introduced to a specific letter sound. Students learn to identify the sound of each letter and blend the sound with other known sounds to form words. In Kindergarten, only one sound for each letter is taught.
Reading- Beginning to Read, Write, and Listen. (Macmillian/McGraw-Hill)
Reading is a key part of our reading/language arts program. Reading is a process that is taught through the sound symbol relationship. As students progress through the letterbooks they are able to read and comprehend simple stories.
Spelling- Beginning to Read Write, and Listen. (Macmillian/McGraw-Hill)
Spelling is a component of our reading/language arts program. Students learn to spell the words they read. Through the sound symbol relationship students are able to spell short vowel words.
Science- Science. (Christian Schools International)
Hands-on activities, experiments, community resources, and field trips help kindergarten students become actively involved in discovering God’s creation. In Science, students use these means to learn about senses, plants, animals, and weather.
Physical Education- Physical Education K-2. (Christian Schools International)
Physical Education in kindergarten introduces the students to nonlocomotor movement such as stretching and locomotor movements such as walking, leaping, galloping, skipping, and hopping. Self-awareness is explored through tagging games. The students work on their motor skills in throwing, catching, kicking, and rolling activities. Rhythmic feeling is used to develop body awareness. Relating to others is emphasized through sharing and treating others with Christ-like behavior.
Health- Healthy Living: God’s Healthy Child. (Christian Schools International)
Healthy Living provides kindergarten students the opportunity to begin developing basic life skills. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their good health. Through role playing, community resources, and hands-on activities students learn about safety, emotions, and personal care.
Computers- Techworks Level 0. (Teacher Created Materials)
Technological awareness and the basics of computers are taught in Kindergarten. Students learn about the different parts of a computer system, how each part works, and how it should be treated. Computer concepts like desktop, software, icon, and word processing are introduced. The shape and sound of each letter of the alphabet are reinforced in parallel with the regular classroom. Students also learn the basics of keyboarding.
Integrated Areas-
Kindergartners use music and art as expressions of praise to God and as tools for learning in other curricular areas. In kindergarten, students develop their creativity using the following media and more: coloring, painting, modeling clay, cutting, and gluing. |