Kindergarten

Reading/Language Arts. Using a multi-sensory, phonetic program that correlates reading, handwriting and auditory skills, students begin to understand how the sounds of the letters can be applied in words, sentences and stories. Each lesson is taught so that children use their eyes, ears and hands in mastering the lessons. The reading series used is Primary Phonics, with additional reading from Lippincott, and Open Court, as well as a variety of trade books.

Mathematics. Kindergarteners are not drilled on the number facts of addition and subtraction, though many children do learn them through our work. We want our children to enter first grade with a good sense of numbers and an understanding of some of the vocabulary used in number work, so that the teacher can teach the facts more easily. We stress the following:

• The quantity value for each number including 0.
• Writing of the numbers 0 to 10, and later 0 to 100.
• Understanding the meaning of what comes “after” and “before” a particular number.
• Comparing and contrasting two sets of concrete items as having more, less, fewer, greater than, bigger or smaller.
• Understanding the words to explain greater quantity such as more, bigger, greater, plus, addition, and all together.
• Understanding the words to explain subtraction such as less, fewer, smaller, minus, subtraction, take away and what is left.
• Adding and subtracting with the aid of counters.
• Counting and grouping concrete items by ones and tens to determine place value and writing the number represented.
• Counting orally from 0 to 100 and backward from 10 and if possible from 20. Count orally a set of items and write the corresponding number.
• Reproducing and completing of patterns.
• Graphing of familiar objects.
• Calendar activities (days of week, months, year).
• Identification of penny, nickel, dime, quarter.
• Counting orally by 2’s, 5’s and 10’s.
• Simple measurement using inches and centimeters.

Science is introduced to Kindergarten children through theme units introducing them to the world around them. Units of study include, fall weather, apples and pumpkins, wild turkeys and their habitats, winter weather, ice and snow, crystals and their formation, properties of water, mixtures and solutions, static electricity, bird habitats, and plant growth.

History introduces Kindergarteners to famous American heroes including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Martin L. King, Jr., Betsy Ross, Monacan and Powhatan Indians, and Davey Crockett. Field trips to nearby historical areas are planned with the entire school’s participation. Such trips in the past have included Jamestown, Mount Vernon, Monticello, and Natural Bridge, thus introducing them to the wonders of Virginia’s rich historical background.

Geography helps Kindergarten students learn about their community and the greater world around them. They learn to identify Virginia, the United States, North and South America, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as Europe and Africa. The geographic terms of North, South, East and West are used in map skills, as well as being able to identify simple items for community map skills.