Kindergarten
The St. Ignatius kindergarten room is a "happening place." Children are happy, busy, creative learners. We have a strong academic focus, but WHO children are, and HOW they are feeling and learning is even more important that WHAT they are learning in the curriculum. We strive to create a comfortable, joyful environment for young children where they are free to explore, create, and learn while they contribute to a caring and cooperative classroom spirit.
We will be celebrating Mass each month. These are in the morning so feel free to join us and sit with us. Look for the dates and times in the Ignatian Information.
If your child is absent or late for school, a WRITTEN NOTE is required upon his or her return to school. If any medications are to be given to your child, you must have a permission form on file in the office. Thanks for following state and school regulations on these procedures.
Birthdays are important!! You are welcome to send a snack for the class on your child's birthday. Please keep it SIMPLE, and provide the same snack for each child. Snacks may not be homemade according to state health laws, but they may come from a bakery or store. No peanuts or peanut products please. If you plan to bring a snack, please send a note a day or two ahead. We usually have the birthday snack the last few minutes of the day. You may join us for the celebration. If your child has a summer birthday, please choose an "un-birthday"date to celebrate.
Please check your child's backpack EACH DAY for notes, papers, etc. (If the peechee is not in his/her bag then there were no papers.) Each family gets a manila envelope from the school office each Friday with messages. This envelope must be emptied, signed and returned each Monday. Thank you.
PE: Your child has PE each afternoon with Ron Baglien. Children should come to school wearing soft-soled shoes that are safe to run in. Can your child tie his/her shoes yet? Please continue to work on this with your youngster. Velcro is fine for those not yet able to tie shoes. PLEASE double-knot your child's shoes. Girls need to wear shorts or tights under their jumpers.
MUSIC: Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, Randy Hobson has music class with Kindergarten.
LIBRARY: The children go to the library each Tuesday and Friday morning. We keep a bucket in the classroom where children may turn in their books when they are finished with them. Kindergarteners may check out one book at each library visit.
COMPUTER LAB: Kindergarteners use the computer lab on Mondays under the direction of Kirk Auer.
"SURPRISE BAG" Each day a child is selected to take home the :"surprise bag" and share the following day. Please help your child find one interesting object to share and tell about. Prepare your child to give three clues, so the rest of the class can guess what the surprise might be ( a favorite book, a family photograph, a souvenir from a trip, etc..) If you notice the bag looks dingy, could you throw it in the laundry for us? Thank you!
CLASSROOM AIDE: We are fortunate enough to have Mrs. Kathy Rogers as our full time kindergarten aide.
CURRICULUM FOR KINDERGARTEN
RELIGION
We call it "God's News." The focus is on our wonderful selves, our senses, belonging to the faith community of the Church, Baptism, celebration of the Church liturgical year and feasts, informal prayer, readings about the life of Jesus, our call to be followers of Jesus, participation in school Mass celebrations, and songs and role-playing. We also encourage outreach to those who are in need. Reverence and respect for life and for each individual is important to us.
MATH
Math is so much more than "arithmetic!" We use a hands on approach to math, and cover such areas as patterning, graphing, estimation, problem solving, visual and spatial relationships, measurement, money, time, formation of numerals, counting, concepts of addition and subtraction, place value and introduction to geometry and algebra! We use computer programs to supplement our class instruction.
LANGUAGE ARTS
We use a literature based series, which we supplement with the best in authentic children's literature. We also use a strong phonics approach to help the children decode and encode words. We explore rhyming, alphabet, sounds, letter formation, comprehension, creative thinking, blending sounds into words, reading and writing words, sentences, and stories. Language Arts includes games, songs, poems, listening activities, group stories, journal writing and much more! To produce excited readers, it is assumed that parents are reading stories aloud to their children each day. We want to foster a passion for reading!
SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES
In Science we study plants, animals, weather, matter, movement and many other day-to-day science moments of discovery and wonder. In Social Studies we study ourselves, our uniqueness, our senses, homes, and feelings. We also learn about special holidays and special Americans. The backdrop of science and social studies is an appreciation of God's awesome love.
CENTER TIME
The time we spend in creative centers is a very valuable concept building time. I look for these objectives:
Decision making about the activity choice
Social growth and interaction
Fine motor skill development
Seeing a project from beginning to end
Responsibility for choices and the clean up of those choices
A chance to be creative, to take a risk, and to try something new
Independence and pride in their creations
Ability to problem solve
The activities are most often open-ended and allow children to use their skills and creativity.
THERE IS NO CHANCE OF BOREDOM IN KINDERGARTEN! There are so many opportunities to grow and explore!
At Center time you'll see some or all of the following choices:
Art and painting
Dramatic play
Block building area
Sensory table
Playdough
Fine motor development activities
Small building materials (Tinkertoys, Lincoln logs, Kinex etc…)
Puzzles
Teacher or parent led activities
Writing center
Reading and enjoying books
Craft activities
And much, much more...
