Kindergarten-level Art is a carefully structured, child-centered program, designed to capitalize on young children’s natural curiosity and readiness to explore. The Kindergarten
program combines a solid foundation in how to use tools and materials with the delight of exploring them, developing skills and inventing new ways to create works of art. Students
are introduced to drawing, painting, cutting, tearing, folding, molding, etc. This experimenting with new tools, materials, and processes takes the mystery out of being an artist,
and opens up the possibility of creative artistic expression. Carefully chosen works of fine art and the pictures of the world around us help spark our student’s interest and
enthusiasm. Kindergarteners create original works of art inspired by rich images, personal experiences, and imagination.
Our Bible curriculum, Positive Action for Christ, emphasizes a study of Biblical events and personalities in order to build upon students' faith and knowledge. Opportunities are
given for students to apply Biblical principles and develop character traits through weekly Scripture memorization. Once per year, each class performs a school-wide chapel program
focusing on a favorite Bible verse or lesson; this begins in Kindergarten and continues through Fifth Grade.
The social studies curriculum in Kindergarten is published by Pearson Learning. It is designed to teach history and geography topics in a sequential order throughout a student’s
lower school years. At the conclusion of Kindergarten, students will be able to identify and name the seven continents. Other topics covered this year include map and geography
skills, the history of Native Americans, the history of the United States, world exploration, and the history of the American presidents.
Our Kindergarten reading curriculum incorporates the blending of the Open Court Kindergarten curriculum with Orton Gillingham instructional practices. Through the
combination of these curricula our students are introduced to the critical components of phonics and reading. These include multi-sensory instruction, a comprehensive curriculum
sequence, and the direct instruction of phonics. At this age, students are at various levels of reading ability and we respond by providing books according to that ability. At
the same time, we work with each student to master reading age-appropriate level of books in preparation for First Grade. As an example, our annual field trip to the Center for
Puppetry Arts enhances the students learning in the following areas: knowledge of various literature types, and a visual appreciation of stories coming to life on stage as well
as audience participation and etiquette.
Additionally the Open Court curriculum provides a systematic and explicit instruction of comprehension writing, and language skills and strategies. Through the curriculum
the students are introduced to rich and diverse genres of literature. The handwriting section of Language Arts is based on the Riggs Institute Handwriting curriculum. Our
students are introduced to the lines on the paper, the basic strokes to form the 26 letters of the alphabet, and the placement of those strokes to form letters. Through daily
dictation exercises the teachers assess each student’s letter formation, spacing, neatness, and accuracy of matching letter sounds to the appropriate letters to write and
spell.
The writing curriculum evolves from the handwriting lessons to the actual dictation of complete sentences. The students are introduced to sentence rules and proper punctuation.
This curriculum progresses to include the Kindergarten Power Writing process. The students are introduced to the basic parts of a paragraph and follow this format as they begin
to produce their own stories and illustrations. Their stories will always include a title, a topic sentence or main idea, detailed sentences, and a conclusion.
Selecting books based on personal interest and learning checkout procedures build on their introductory library skills. Students are taught how to use the alphabetical order to
locate books and how to select books by perusing the shelves. Reference skills begin with globe usage during story readings. Each Kindergarten student is given an opportunity
to enact the plot of an easy fiction book with puppets. Various forms of poetry are explored and multi-cultural folktales are incorporated into reading times.
The comprehensive math curriculum at Whitefield Academy provides a basic introduction to math operations. Throughout the year, the topics include sorting, patterning, position
recognition, graphing, plane shapes, fractions, time, money, length, weight, addition, subtraction, and number recognition from 0-100. Within each lesson, a variety of manipulatives
are used such as Unifix cubes, thermometers, rulers, scales, clocks, and money to enhance learning. Students also complete many in-class, hands-on activities and create math journals
to further engage learning and critical thinking skills.
In Kindergarten, students continue to develop the fundamentals of a musical experience by learning about instruments and their families, participating in song time, playing rhythm
instruments, and learning the basic fundamentals of musical expression [loud/soft, high/low and fast/slow]. Acquisition of these skills aids students in developing deeper musical
experiences in later grades.
Our curriculum continues to follow the National Association for Sport and Education standards. During Kindergarten, our students continue to improve their locomotor and non-locomotor
skills, fitness, health and nutrition. Incorporated into PE are aspects such as compassion for others, cooperation vs. competition, respect for equipment and good sportsmanship.
Health and nutrition is also introduced at this grade. The goal of the health and nutrition program is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to practice health-enhancing
behaviors such as proper nutrition, healthy eating and food selection.
Science and literature are integrated in Kindergarten through a variety of literature and meaningful hands-on exploration in class and with guest visitors. Through our Open Court
Reading curriculum, science topics such as the ocean, the wind and weather, planets, and shadows are further explored. The Kindergarten science program is augmented by the Science
Studies Weekly publication. The experiential learning in science includes a trip to the Cagle Dairy Farm.
The Kindergarten students continue to build a repertoire of songs and cultural poems with motions to appeal to their musical and kinesthetic intelligences. By way of an easy immersion
methodology, they play at make-believe situations in Spanish while acquiring whole language structure. Paper-bag puppet shows involve illustrating, reading and performing a condensed
fairy tale. Each spring the Kindergarten classes undertake a service project for the children of Fundación Amor y Esperanza in Quito, Ecuador. This cultural connection is fostered
throughout their Lower School years; so that in the Upper School they may participate in the annual Ecuador Mission Trip.
Download Printable PDF of entire Lower School Curriculum
