Our Savior's Kindergarten

  
Kindergarten at Our Savior's Lutheran School is a three day a week, full day program. All the academic skills necessary for success in first grade are included in the three day (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) Kindergarten program. Curriculum for the optional five-day Kindergarten program involves enrichment activities in the areas of music, art, science, and social studies. The three-day curriculum is as follows,
Religious Instruction
The day begins with a morning devotion based on a Psalm refrain taken from the worship liturgy used in our church service. Later in the morning the children are taught a Bible History lesson from the Christ-Light curriculum (Northwestern Publishing House). The lessons include the Genesis creation account, man's fall into sin, and the promise of the Savior. Time is spent studying the Flood and the patriarchs. We complete our Old Testament lessons with accounts of David and the Babylonian captivity. At Christmas time we shift to the New Testament studying the events surrounding Jesus's birth. We then have lessons on Jesus's ministry and finish the year with lessons on Jesus's ascension into heaven and Pentecost. The events surrounding Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection are studied in conjunction with the time Easter occurs each year. Usually the entire week is spent on each Bible lesson. Children learn a memory verse and complete a project which pertains to each Bible History lesson. In addition to classroom time spent on Bible History there is a 15 minute weekly chapel service conducted by either the Pastor or Principal. A Christian perspective is integrated into all other subjects whenever appropriate.
Reading
Attention to literacy is intertwined throughout the day. Stories read to the children, having fun with the language with rhymes and songs, and reinforcing the children's natural interest in the sounds of the language and writing all promote the child's emerging literacy. More formal reading instruction involves use of Beginning to Read, Write, and Listen (Macmillan/McGraw-Hill). A “Letterbook” is the basis for instruction for each letter of the alphabet. The name, symbol, and one sound each letter represents is taught using this phonics approach. Students gain experience in blending the letter sounds to form words. By about the fourth week in school students have been introduced to the letters “d,” “o,” and “g,” and so are equipped to figure out the word “dog.” Since we are a Christian school, of course, we teach the word “God” at the same time. We spend four days on each Letterbook and then the student takes it home to keep.
Math
The Saxon Kindergarten Math curriculum is used at Our Savior's Lutheran School. This program develops a solid foundation in basic concepts of math including number related work, geometry, graphing, and money. There is a great deal of work with manipulatives so concepts being developed have a concrete basis.
Music
In addition to music being integrated throughout the school day Kindergartners at Our Savior’s participate in the first two semesters of Kindermusik® for the Young Child. This very highly regarded curriculum which combines music and movement provides a bridge between the musical play of early childhood and more traditional musical involvement.
Movement
Specific attention is paid to body awareness, control, and coordination in our movement activities. In addition to basic skills like hopping and skipping, work on muscle strength, balance, and directionality is also presented.
Active Learning
Children’s active learning will take place during free choice play times and during Centers which are more directed play time. While active learning time appears to be “just playtime” it promotes the student’s independence, purposefulness, organization, focus, decision-making, responsibility, and accountability. This is an opportunity to develop and practice real life social skills.
Kindergartners sing with other students of the school during the Our Savior's Lutheran Church Sunday service several times during the year. They also have a part in the annual special Children’s Christmas service.

 

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