Junior Kindergarten

Junior kindergartners learn about the use, value, and wonder of language throughout each day. Children:

• foster communications skills through abundant opportunities for conversations, discussions, and negotiations
• participate in shared reading experiences (stories, poems, songs, and finger plays) to develop listening, sequencing, comprehension, and vocabulary
• learn the alphabet, how to write upper and lower case, letter sounds and blending in a comprehensive, multi-sensory program that correlates reading, handwriting, auditory and oral language skills

Familiarity with numeracy and building confidence in problem-solving ability is central to creating a foundation for mathematical thinking. Children:

• develop number sense through the study of numeration, sequencing and one to one correspondence. These skills are mastered through rug activities, toys, games, and art.
• explore the concepts of time, measuring, tools, size, and money through playful and practical applications such as cooking, monitoring the daily schedule, playing grocery store, and experimenting at the sensory table
• develop their knowledge of patterns and function through puzzles, patterning and the study of attributes

Junior kindergartners explore science in a theme-based approach through inquiry-based activities that develop problem-solving skills.

Themes are one to two weeks in length and are relevant to what is happening in the world around the children. Science themes include:

• seasons
• pumpkins
• plants
• water
• butterflies

Themes are explored through art, literature, dramatic play, field trips and visiting specialists. Children begin using the scientific method in hands-on activities, which include hypothesizing, experimenting, observing and recording.

Junior kindergartners explore social studies in a theme-based approach through inquiry-based activities that develop problem-solving skills.

Themes are one to two weeks in length and are relevant to what is happening in the world around the children. Social studies themes include:

• family
• world holidays
• community helpers

Themes are explored through art, literature, dramatic play, field trips and visiting specialists.

Junior kindergartners deepen their understanding and appreciation of the visual arts by creating it themselves. Students:

• build knowledge of colors, shapes, and materials
• experiment with multiple media to create art
• learn to control lines and shapes on paper with different brushes and tools
• explore artwork, styles, and artists by using the classroom as gallery
• show artwork in a student gallery for special events
• get an introduction to stoneware clay and 3-D sculpture

Children begin learning Spanish in Early Childhood at FA through stories, songs, games, poems, and activities in a weekly class. A Comprehensible Input approach is used so that children learn Spanish the same way they learned their first language, through engaging activities they enjoy and understand.

Literature is already a large part of FA's curriculum. The weekly visit to the library gives students the chance to further develop their respect and love for books. Students:

• learn how illustrations support a story
• experience how libraries support the work they do in the classroom
• discuss the parts of a book
• read award-winning books (e.g., Caldecott, King, and Belpre Awards) as examples of how literature is honored
• choose a book they love (and take it back to their classroom)

Students will continue to develop their singing voice while they learn to use a variety of musical instruments. As they learn instrumental techniques, they will pair it with the concept of playing on specific musical cues in their songs. Three stage performances in the Reed theater will teach them all about being a performer! For the Junior Kindergarten Program in May students will pair original vocal songs with a story.

Highlights:

• Group music making
• Pitch matching and ear training
• Steady beat
• Percussion instrument technique
• Choreographed and improvised movement
• Music listening examples from around the world
• Performance at the LS Holiday Program in December
• Performance at Grandparents and Special Friends Day in the spring
• Performance at the Junior Kindergarten Program in May

Children learn the importance of a sound mind and sound body. In this weekly class, our students:

• work on their motor skills through stretching, running, hopping, and learning some animal walks
• play games to practice taking turns and learning boundaries
• identify boundaries and to demonstrate the rules for safety while in class
• are introduced to the importance of physical activity and encouraged to learn age-appropriate skills