Kindergarten
Bible
Emphasis on major Bible characters learned through story, songs, chants, art projects, and role-playing.
Credo (memory work in traditional question, answer, Scripture verse format) will teach concepts of truth, beauty, and goodness. Students will learn that God’s Word is truth and the foundation of everything and that all truth is God’s truth.
Students memorize Psalm 1, Psalm 23, and Psalm 100 as well as several passages from Luke
Reading
Because reading is the first and most important skill to education, great attention is given in K5 to both the development of reading skills and the regular reading of quality literature to the students. Students are taught that God has given us the gift of letters and He gives us the Bible to read. Students learn that they are being taught to read so that they can understand the Bible, God’s Word.
In the classical tradition, phonics instruction will be multi-sensory, including recitation, use of visual aids and hand motions.
Students begin with an easy to use Primary Phonics program for readers, and through the Spell to Write and Read program eventually come to master the Veritas Press phonics-based reading books, which also introduce children to art and church history. This program uses many fun songs and rhythm to get the basic sound components of our language across to the children.
Spelling
Wise Guide for Spelling (Spell to Write and Read spelling lists)
Basic sight words
Days of the week and classmates names
Spelling Test beginning in the second half of the school year
Writing
Cursive Manuscript
Daily practice (integrated with reading and spelling) on the formation of all lowercase letters and numbers and most uppercase letters.
Emphasis on fine motor skill development, correct pencil grip, spacing, and neatness
Use of multi-sensory, hands-on materials
Supplemental materials from Handwriting Without Tears
Math
Saxon Math 1
Usage of numbers 1-100
Place value up to 100 – awareness created by counting centers and games
Addition/subtraction facts to ten – mastery via songs and rhymes
Basic geometric shapes
Coin value
Time to 1/2 hour
Counting by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s, 10’s, 50’s, and 100’s to 1,000
History
History in the kindergarten class begins with the students sharing about themselves and the families God has given to them. The students then begin an exploration of their local community that includes books, discussions and field trips. Students look at what is common to most communities and what is unique to Douglas County.
The class explores the history and meaning behind our holidays throughout the year.
Science
Coordinated with a study of the seasons to cultivate an awareness of God’s creative hand in all that exists in our world
Typical subjects: trees, plants, seeds, animals, pond life, insects, weather, life cycle, and five senses.
Some Newbridge Early Childhood Science
Many supplemental books and videos
Kindergarten Science Day
Geography
Students explore the United States through collecting and sharing postcards and locating their states on the U.S. map
Memorization of continents and oceans
Introduction to maps and directions including understanding basic geography concepts and definitions
Art
Lots of crafts and projects that are integrated with monthly themes
Music
Much of kindergarten learning is gained through singing, poetry, chants, rhymes, jingles, and rhymes. Morning classical music, Bible songs, English and Spanish days of the weeks and months, and special songs for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and end-of-year presentations.