Kindergarten Curriculum

Language Arts, Mathematics, Religion, Science, Social Studies, & Art

Summary

Holy Trinity’s Kindergarten Program is based on a developmental approach designed to meet the child where s/he is.  Learning focuses on the development of individual strengths of each child and provides support in areas of need.  Literacy, numeracy, science, social studies, and religion are taught in an integrated fashion rather than in isolation. 

Selected Goals

• Language is experienced through poetry, rhymes, drama, chants, and charts throughout the classroom
• Math is constant in the sorting, counting, measuring, and other daily hands-on activities
• Art is the main means of expression in the early childhood classroom.  Children tell stories, answer questions, and propose ideas through drawing, painting, and other creative means
• Children participate in music during the day as greeting, transition, self expression, and entertainment
• Religion permeates our entire program in the way that we ask children to look at themselves, each other, and the world 

Selected Activities and Approaches

• Meeting the child where s/he is developmentally
• Developing individual strengths of each child
• Supporting children and families in the learning process
• Hands on learning/ Learning by doing
• Using concrete objects to learn skills
• All activities are planned and structured by the teacher, but children are given the freedom to choose and experience within the structure – either one-on-one, in small groups, or as member of the whole group
• As each child masters a new skill, s/he is ready for the next challenge
• Assessment is constant and ongoing.  Each child is assessed on his/her individual growth

Spanish

Summary

In Kindergarten Spanish, the students focus on visual and physical actions as much as possible.  Repetitions and enacting the words are the keys to learning at this age. Spanish lessons focus on learning vocabulary and basic conversational phrases that are relevant to the age. Students are taught basic classroom vocabulary and instructions. To the extent possible, classes are conducted in the Spanish language.

Selected Goals

• Provide a variety of instructional approaches to regularly renew students’ interest and attention
• Provide an opportunity for children to discover a new language and new ways to express themselves
• Appreciate the value of learning a second language
• Practice language skills through stories, songs, games, videos, dances, and many activities that reinforce the learning process
• Progress toward acquiring functional oral Spanish skills by speaking, listening and comprehension
• Incorporate Catholic traditions and prayers into Spanish instruction

Selected Activities and Approaches

• Daily morning routine (greetings, calendar, and weather report)
• Practice and learn the new vocabulary of a particular theme, such as colors, numbers, shapes, family, classroom objects, food, clothing, farm, opposites, and vowels
• Songs and dances
• Show comprehension by following commands
• Class Event: Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Library

Summary

Library time focuses on increasing a kindergarteners’ love of books, reading, and language. A variety of genres, authors and illustrators are introduced.  Children learn book parts, book care, and basic library arrangement.  When choosing books to check out, children are guided in finding a book that is a good match for them and their interests.

Music and Movement

Summary

Music and Movement in Kindergarten is a combination of the music and physical education standards set by the Archdiocese of Washington. The overall emphasis is two-fold:  “Personal Improvement” and “Working Together”.  The students learn individual and cooperative skills that help them rely on them themselves and their classmates – not compare or compete with them.  Games and activities are all-inclusive and, when necessary, students have their own equipment.  Classroom themes are incorporated into Music and Movement as well as other disciplines such as Language Arts, Science, Health, and Math.

Selected Goals

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

• Eye-hand coordination
• Cross lateral movement
• Large motor skills (skipping, kicking, running etc.)
• Fine motor skills (holding, catching, pinching, grasping, picking up)
• Balance and coordination, including yoga
• Basic tumbling and rolling
• Introduction to the fundamentals of soccer, basketball, floor hockey, frisbee, kickball
• Introduction to individual play with hula hoops, scooters

MUSIC

• Rhythm, beat, tempo, pitch, and tone
• Celebrating seasons and holidays through music
• Telling stories with music, and discussing how music is used every day

Selected Activities and Approaches

• Meeting the child where s/he is developmentally
• Developing individual strengths and interests of each child