Academics

Kindergarten through Grade 1 Curriculum :: 2009-2010

Morning Meeting

Morning meeting provides a friendly and enjoyable daily routine, giving children opportunities for song, movement, the sharing of news, ideas and theme related objects.

Theme

Themes last a typical six week cycle. They often reflect the changing seasons, and tie in as closely as possible with the children’s immediate experience. Kindergarten and 1st graders share the same themes though they have different activities and outcomes. Examples of themes include: Gardens and Vegetables, Birds, Earth and Rocks, Castles, Snow, and Spring.

K-1 Theme Share - Fall 2011

Choice Time

Choice time activities are set up daily by the teacher. They cover a variety of subjects including reading, writing, theme, art and craft activities and creative play. Choice time also includes opportunities for teacher-pupil one-on-one sessions.

Language Arts

Story: Weekly stories are chosen, often to support the theme. Stories are used in a variety of ways including telling, retelling, puppet plays and acting out. A major source of these stories is from the Brothers Grimm, other popular folktales, and picture books.

Reading and Writing Workshop: The K-1 class follows the Village School Reading and Writing Workshop model as used throughout the school. This introduces children to a range of reading and writing styles and supports individual growth and achievement.

Journal: This is an important part of the week when the children can express and record some of their most precious experiences. Kindergarten children can have their ideas and drawings annotated by the teacher. 1st graders have the opportunity to develop emerging writing skills by recording simple sentences.

Reading Partners: Students are partnered with older reading partners from the upper grades for the year. This is a great way to encourage joint learning and cement friendships across the school. These visits take place on Tuesday mornings and are highly anticipated.

Quiet Reading: Children arrive in the classroom at 1:00 after lunch recess and find a quiet place to curl up with a book or just rest. This time also provides excellent opportunities for the teachers to engage in one-on-one reading with students.

Math

The K-1 class follows the math Investigations curriculum. This curriculum builds math skills, teaches number sense and engages the children in practical, hands on investigations. It builds confidence and the enjoyment of math activities. The Kindergarten has lessons with Kim and the 1st grade with Martin and Adrianna. A variety of teaching methods is used, including whole class, partner and individual activities. There are math areas in the classroom with current activities for the children to explore during choice time.

Science and Nature

The K-1 class has weekly science lessons, nature hikes, and trips throughout the year to Sweetwater Farm. Katrina Walton, one of our science teachers, plans and teaches these lessons alongside Martin and Adrianna. The main focus for science is exploring and observing the natural world. The classroom always has a place for displaying items brought back for appreciation and study. Journals are regularly used by the class to record sightings and experiences.

Physical Education

The Friday afternoon session of Phys. Ed provides an opportunity for children to engage in a longer session of activity such as hiking. Where appropriate, K and 1st graders participate in similar activities as the upper grades. Through the week there are also numerous Phys. Ed. opportunities such as outdoor recess and indoor activities such as stretching and balancing. Loren teaches us yoga on Friday mornings.

Music

Children begin the year singing a variety of songs relating to gardens, harvest and autumn. Throughout the year, movements, dances and rhythm instruments such as drums, maracas and rain sticks, accompany many of the songs. Students also participate in weekly recorder lessons in small groups. (Kindergarten students begin recorder lessons later in the fall.) Recorder students should practice for about 5 minutes a day at home – it really makes a big difference in their progress.

Spanish

Spanish is taught through movement, stories, games and songs, and is based on the TPR (Total Physical Response) system. The children practice basic greetings and phrases, learn to respond to common classroom instructions, and work together to act out short stories in Spanish.

Art and Craft

Art is intertwined with the curriculum and can be seen in the classroom daily. We have a weekly art session with Renee, the art teacher. In the once a week special class, the project is introduced through a brief song or story. Then comes the fun part... we all sit down and paint, draw or sculpt with clay or do an open ended art activity tied to the K-1 curriculum theme. The goal of these art projects is to have the children feel successful with new experiences and materials, to have fun, and to allow for creativity in a non-verbal way. Art hour includes watercolor, clay, collage and simple weaving.

Recess

In keeping with the Village school ethos, the importance of recess is emphasised as a time of great learning - physical, emotional and social. Since most of the school day is structured, recess gives the children a blank canvas for imaginative and physical play together. Teachers are present and encourage children to find solutions together when differences arise.

If you have any further questions or concerns regarding the K-1 classroom, or your child, call us anytime after school, or please arrange to meet with us after school.

We look forward to a full year of learning, growth and joy with the children.