Building academic foundations
Thinking Skills
SCIS emphasizes skills for students to be productive, self-directed learners who can independently pursue excellence and life-long learning. Integrated into all subject areas is the emphasis on the processes of high-level thinking.
Critical thinking: Observe, classify, compare and contrast, sequence, find patterns
Creative thinking: Fluency
Reading
Through the use of both phonics and whole language, with an emphasis on comprehension, students will explore diverse literature genres from around the world. Teachers will utilize a variety of grouping formats (individual, small group, whole class) and teaching strategies in order to meet the individual needs of students. Instructional materials include a wealth of literature books along with books on tapes, songs, big books, and a print rich environment. Instruction will emphasize the following:
- Capital/small letter recognition and their corresponding sounds
- Phonetic awareness and high frequency word recognition
- Developing regular reading habits
- Basic story structure awareness and comprehension
Language Arts
Writing is essential for students to discover, develop, clarify, and communicate thoughts and feelings. Students will be speaking and beginning to write for a variety of purposes and audiences.
- Form letters, words, and simple sentences
- Communicate thoughts and stories through drawing pictures, speaking, and writing
- Write for self - expression
Social Studies
Students will understand and appreciate their own cultures and backgrounds as well as respect and understand the history, geography, culture, societal organizations, and economic systems of other societies.
Topics covered in kindergarten include: Farmlands, personal history, school and family rules, interpersonal skills
Science and Health
Knowledge of science is necessary for all students to understand the world in which they live, value the systems and processes that support life on our planet and to make responsible decisions as citizens. Students will construct their own understanding of their world through discovery, inquiry and interactive investigations to develop solid scientific processes. Topics covered at kindergarten include: Trees, animals, wood, paper, fabric, seasons, five senses, dental health, nutrition, communicable diseases, safety
Math
Mathematics is a language and science of patterns. Students will be provided a rich problem-solving environment filled with manipulative and hands-on activities. Students will explore the following areas: Number sense, measurement, geometry, probability, algebra, problem solving strategies, and the ability to communicate their thinking and understanding of concepts and procedures. Kindergarten also highlights the following:
- Numbers one through a hundred
- Beginning estimation, addition, and subtraction concepts
- Identification of regular shapes
- Introduction of non-standard measurement concepts
- Simple patterns and number relations
Homework
There will be no regular homework assigned for kindergarten children. Parents are encouraged to read to their children on a daily basis and reinforce classroom concepts through home play, songs, puzzles, games, and enriching family activities.
Teachers, at their discretion, will provide home activities to reinforce learning.
Supplies
Students in the kindergarten program will need to bring the following:
- An extra change of clothes to keep at school (does not need to be the school uniform)
- A healthy snack daily (in addition to home or school lunch)
