KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM
Trinity Lutheran School
Kindergarten
Teacher: Mrs. Bev Schmidtke
Email: bschmidtke@trinityjanesville.com
For more information, call the school office (507-231-6646) or email Mrs. Schmidtke.
Introduction
The kindergarten curriculum is not divided into discrete subjects with time allotted for each. Young children can learn reading as they discover information about math or science; they can learn writing when they work on social studies or art projects. The use of themes is helpful in providing an integral curriculum appropriate for young children.
Religion
The kindergarten religion program is based on Concordia Publishing House Voyages curriculum and centers around three major themes: 1) God and Me; 2) God, Me, and Others, and 3) God, Me, and My World. Students worship God by praying and singing. Through Old and New Testament Bible stories, the children hear about God’s promises for His people in the past and about His willingness to act on behalf of His people today. Kindergarteners also learn weekly Bible verses that pertain to each week’s lesson, and learn the 10 Commandments.
Language Arts
Kindergarteners are provided with experiences with oral and written language. Oral language experiences are provided throughout the school day. The teacher engages children in conversations about real experiences, current events, and projects. Children are given opportunities to talk with other children and to speak to the whole class. Many listening activities such as following directions and taking turns in a discussion are also part of the daily routine.
Phonics/Spelling/Handwriting
The Saxon Phonics and Spelling program is used in Kindergarten. This program enables most students to develop a solid foundation in phonics that will lead them to become successful readers and spellers. It builds on prior learning. New learning is presented in small steps that are reviewed daily. Kindergarteners become familiar with capital and lowercase letters, their sounds, and how they are written. Given the opportunity to read many of the students will finish the school year reading on a basic level.
Math
Saxon Math with its spiraling curriculum is used from kindergarten through the fifth grade. In kindergarten, math concepts are taught through calendar and small group activities. The children participate in hands-on activities that involve number concepts, counting skills, patterning, sorting, numeral recognition, estimating, graphing, measuring, and spatial concepts.
Science
Children in kindergarten learn scientific concepts through real experiences. Our program promotes the development of the processes that are integral to science: observing, communicating, classifying, measuring, comparing, and predicting. Themes in life, earth, and physical science are covered.
Social Studies
Kindergarten students learn about themselves, their families and the world around them. Specific Social Studies topics are studied in correlations with the curriculum themes.
Computers
Students reinforce basic math and reading skills using a variety of educational software. Students practice mouse control and begin using the keyboard as they learn to use the software in the classroom lab.
Art
Kindergarten students have the chance to use a variety of media such as pencil, crayon, paint, paper, glue, chalk, and others. Students will not only practice cutting, gluing, and drawing skills, they will also have an opportunity to express their own creativity and style through many different elements of art. Students use the “Art Attacks” curriculum, which includes learning about famous art work.
Choir/Music
In kindergarten, the students begin to learn music theory skills. They will develop their singing voices to praise God by singing in church and chapel services. They also learn to play handbells.
Physical Education
In Physical Education classes, students are taught a blend of knowledge, motor skills, and fitness as well as the development of appropriate social skills through the various games and activities in class. Students become aware of the importance of a physical and healthy life-style.