A typical day in our

              Developmental Kindergarten
Text Box: Arrival/Fine Motor: As students enter the room, belongings are put away and students begin their opening project. This first project is designed to reinforce recently learned concepts and to help students have a calm transition into our learning time. Bible Study: Since children most remember the first and last things they do while in school, we begin our day with prayer, modeling for students the importance of keeping God in our hearts as the foundation for all we do. Each month we study a different memory verse and Bible concept using songs, science, devotions and sign-language to assist our memory and understanding. Fridays, we join the school for Chapel. Specials: DK students participate in a different “special” learning activity each day of the week. This is an opportunity to spend focused time on a special area such as art, gym, computers music, library, Bible study, and book buddies. Circle Time: During circle time, we practice calendar skills, learn concepts of time (today, tomorrow, and yesterday), check the weather, sing songs about days of the week and months of the year, and read books. We practice simple math skills such as counting, adding and subtracting and work together to blend sounds into words. Concepts of print such as parts of a book are explored and group games are played that assist in the development of oral language skills. Center Time: Many important skills are mastered during this “free play” time. The students use a ticket system for centers which assists in the development of personal responsibility. We do not set guidelines for the amount of time spent in each center which allows the students to develop their own choice making skills. Center choices include: home-living, tools, imagination station, blocks, transportation, free-art, and sensory exploration. Additionally, teachers supervise “must-do” centers allowing for small group instruction of specific math and reading skills. Clean Up: At the conclusion of centers or other projects, the students work as a team to put things back into their correct places. This helps the children learn responsibility for their environment and provides an opportunity to practice helping others. Bathroom/Wash Hands: Before eating, we take a group trip to the bathroom. Students learn the importance of hand-washing ensuring the “fronts, backs and in-betweens” are well washed and rinsed. Special Helper and Snack: Each week a different special helper is chosen. It is this student’s responsibility to be line leader, hold doors open, provide snack and assist with other classroom tasks. Additionally, the helper has the opportunity to bring a special item from home to show to the class. This sharing time helps develop confidence for speaking in front of a group and is a great opportunity to learn more about our friends. Snack is a special social time. We begin by thanking Jesus for the food and ask Him to bless our snack. We then thank our friend who provided the snack. Snack time introduces us to a variety of new foods and provides another opportunity to practice responsibility as students clean up their space when they finish. Quiet Reading: As children finish snack, they find a book to look at quietly on their own or with a teacher while waiting for their friends to finish. Outside/Gym Time: We go outside or to the gym to get our muscles moving, or sometimes we just stay in the room and make beautiful music! Please don’t tell the students, but learning is always going on in our room…even when we are outside! We practice our helping skills by assisting our friends with zippers, buttons, hats, and mittens. We also practice patience while waiting for our friends and teachers. Students discover that the faster everyone gets ready, the more time we have to spend outside. Whether we are playing on the playground, black top, in the gym, or in the classroom, students receive a lot of practice taking turns and challenging their own physical skills with climbing, jumping, throwing, catching, and swinging. Dismissal: As we return from outdoor time we make a final check of our room, being sure everything is safely tucked away. We say “good bye” to our friends, and see you next time! Finally we collect all of our things. Students in wrap-around care are escorted to their room for lunch and others meet their loved ones in the library. Special Events: Celebrations are a special time to share our accomplishments, highlight a learning goal or just enjoy special time with friends. Favorite events include the Creation Celebration, Christmas, Dr. Suess’ Birthday and pajama parties. Communication: Newsletters are sent home weekly providing parents with the highlights of the events in our classroom, current learning concepts and upcoming events. Parents are welcome to contact the teacher at anytime. Progress conferences are held twice a year.