My kindergarten program is well structured, encompassing the needs of each individual in the community through Religion, Math, Phonics, Reading Skills, Handwriting, Art, Music, Spanish, Computer, and Physical Education. The schedule is adapted not only to the child's creative potential needs, but also includes routine procedures, which gives your child a sense of security.
RELIGION is designed to make children aware of God's love through the many good, beautiful persons, events and things He has placed in their lives. The children are led to appreciate their own uniqueness and to sense God's presence in all the wonderful things around them.
TEXT: BLEST ARE WE / REEDY AND BETNEY
COMMUNICATION SKILLS are fostered when children have the spontaneity and encouragement to express their ideas verbally, through written or picture forms, listening, sharing and enjoying stories, poetry and dramatic play. Language is a means of sharing wonder through social patterns based on specific skill: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking. Reading is taught in a group setting however, I will pull out each individual child at various times to read with. The readiness includes reading, writing, listening, speaking, and literature appreciation. The children will be introduced to all the above and phonics through our programs called, Success, Building Blocks, and Letter People. I use picture modules, words, and story time with the addition of suggested focus questions or guides for each lesson. Success, Building Blocks and Letter People are known for providing a learning environment that allows the child to develop to his or her highest potential without the feeling of being pushed or forced to learn.
TEXTS: SUCCESS ON READING AND WRITING / BLACKFORD AND CRAMER
BUILDING BLOCKS / HALL AND WILLIAMS
THE LETTER PEOPLE / COUTANT AND LEHR
One letter will be taught each week (sometimes need 2 weeks). The letters are not taught in alphabetical order. 
Children who are ready to read are provided with suitable learning experiences as needed.
BOOKS: SWRL /GINNAND CO. (EARLY LEVEL READING) AND BOB BOOKS / SCHOLASTIC INC.
*Your child will receive a "Book in a Bag" during the 3rd quarter. The books are easy level readers appropriate for your child. You will sign a sheet to recognize that the book was read and return for another book. 

HANDWRITING is considered a formal learning area in kindergarten and is integrated into the over all language program. Work and play with blocks, puzzles, clay modeling, painting, coloring and the use of scissors build eye-hand coordination which is needed for the skill. The child is encouraged to use his natural hand preference for all hand work. I teach block printing putting an emphasis on holding the pencil correctly, correct size spacing and correct information.
TEXT: LET'S WRITE - THE LETTER PEOPLE HANDWRITING BOOK / ABRAMS AND CO.
MATHEMATICS READINESS is acquired through informal group activity and planning which occurs in games and discovery mainly through working with manipulative materials. They include rote counting, recognizing and understanding the meaning of numerals through 30, more or less the calendar, time, money, measurement, skip counting, sets, one-to-one correspondence, equivalence, geometric shapes, addition and subtraction. We will count the days of school and celebrate the 100th day. Your child will have a closer understanding of how to solve problems and understand concepts than children who labor over worksheets alone.
TEXTS: BOX IT OR BAG IT / BURK, SNIDER, AND SYMONS
MATHEMATICS THEIR WAY / GARLAND AND HIX
** NEW!  PALS - Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies for Accelerating Learning /  By: Fuchs, Powell and Karns
SOCIAL STUDIES is an important part of the kindergarten program as children learn to adjust and modify their behavior in a larger group, practicing patterns of good social behavior, taking turns and initiatives, sharing acquiring skills in leadership, fellowship, and following directions. The children will learn about people as they follow their interest about school, the surrounding community, geography, maps, elections, family, friends, patriotism and holidays.
SCIENCE increases children's awareness of the ability to observe their environment. Using their senses, children experience the natural world through using their senses, through experimentation and observational discovery about plants, weather, seasons, 5 senses, human body (nutrition) air, energy and water. MYSCI will be coming to spend a week at our school. Kindergarten will study animals at this time. 
SPANISH is provided two times a week. This will enrich your child's vocabulary and to understand another culture and language. In kindergarten they are taught basic words and phrases. Some day later in the year ask them if they can say a prayer in Spanish. This is a fun and exciting 
MUSIC provides experiences in which kindergarten children sing, listen to recording, use rhythm band instruments and respond creatively to music through body movements. Music is a vital part of daily living, which through a well-balanced correlated program strengthens the learning into other subjects. 
ART provides another channel for creative expression as children paint, draw, model, construct material, and engage in other related activities. Children are more interested in the process than the end project. They use color, line and form to communicate ideas and feelings. They become more aware of patterns. 
PHYSICAL EDUCATION is a integral part of a young child's growth. The children should progress at their own rates in developing physical skill, enjoying physical activity, improving physical fitness, learning to move body parts, and competencies become noticeable.
REMEMBER TO WEAR TENNIS SHOES ON SCHEDULED P.E. DAYS.
EDUCATIONAL GAMES AND FREE TIME
Both indoor and out are some of the outlets for a good time, exercise, practical learning and building motor coordination. Lessons of fair play following directions, sharing and good sportsmanship are learned. Play helps children to explore and examine the world. Through these experiences children learn to socialize and cope with their emotions as well as discover special talents. Appropriate school behavior in these situations is required. (ex. quiet voices indoors, following safety rules, etc.).
Special Class Schedule 2011-2012
MONDAY

Spanish..........9:15 - 9:50(Senora Torres) 

TUESDAY
Library.......................8:40 - 9:10  (Mr Gallagher)
Spanish...........................10:30 - 11:05 (Senora Torres)


WEDNESDAY 
Mass........................8:45 
Art..........................10:10 - 10:45 (Mrs. Welsh)
 
THURSDAY
Computer Lab...................10:10 – 10:45(Mrs.Pardo)
P.E.......................................1:40 - 2:15 (Mr. Menke)
8th Grade Buddies............2:20 - 2:50(Mrs. Dohr's Class)
FRIDAY
 
P.E.......................................10:35 - 11:10 (Mr. Menke)
Parent Reader .................2:30 – 3:00