St. James School
Robin Ramos
Kindergarten
All Day Kindergarten
Because our Kindergarten is All Day, it allows for a very rich and comprehensive curriculum.
There is enough time for not only academic instruction but the equally important free play which promotes motor coordination, sharing and socialization.
Our kindergarten students also benefit for their weekly instruction with our music, art and physical education teachers.
Staff: Our Kindergarten is taught by a full-time teacher and one full-time instructional aide.
Shelly Dirksen
Educational Achievement Specialist
Kari Fisher
School Counselor
Emily Putnam
KindergartenInstructional Aide
Religion
In addition to learning many Bible stories and basic prayers, students learn that God loves them. They create art and perform dramatic plays about God’s Creation and how we are all members of God’s Family. In December, the Kindergarten class presents its own version of the Nativity Pageant.
English Language Arts
St. James School uses the phonics-based Zaner-Bloser Super Kids program.We focus on a letter of the day/week (recognition, sound, write, blend). Students will listen and retell stories (character, plot, setting, fantasy/real, main idea, sequence). In addition, there are leveled readers where students learn left to right, top to bottom, punctuation, CVC words, rhyming, syllables, segmenting words, and Concepts of Print. A comprehensive writing program which includes illustrations, writing, and dictation is also implemnted. Public speaking is promoted through participation in class discussion, reports, assembly and Mass.
Reading
St. James School uses the phonics-based Pearson Scott Foresman Reading Kindergarten series. The curriculum also focuses on best practices for teacing beginning literacy skills.
Handwriting
The method of Transitional Manuscript is taught because it has proven most effective in learning how to write the alphabet.
Math
Students will recognize and understand the numerals 1 to 20, learn about comparisons, the calendar, the clock, measurement, patterns and geometric shapes. Students will gain an understanding of addition, subtraction, graphing and the place values 1 to 19. Place value, measurement and geometry are also introduced. A variety of manipulatives, games and other hands on activities are used to increase the students’ knowledge and understanding.
Free Play Time
Children play both indoors and outdoors, promoting motor coordination, imagination, fair play, sharing and sportsmanship. During free play, children experience leadership, problem solving, social skills and language development. When children are playing, they are learning.
Science
The Kindergarten topics include:
Physical Science: Liquids and Solids (observed, measured, predicted)
Life Science: Different Plants and Animals (observe and identify)
Earth Science: Land, Air and Water
Social Studies
Students learn about being a good citizen, community workers, holidays and life events, different types of familes and their responsibilities, state and national symbols, maps, and the diversity of different cultures.
Communication Skills/Drama
The Kindergartners participate in two formal musical productions during the school year. They also practice public speaking at the all-school morning assemblies and Mass.
Music
In addition to responding to music through movement in the Kindergarten classroom, students also attend formal music classes twice a week taught by the school’s Music Director in the Music Room.
Physical Education
Three times a week, under the direction of the school’s full-time P.E. teacher, students attend formal Physical Education classes, either in the school’s gym or on the play field. They learn skills in games, team play and gross and fine motor coordination.
Visual Arts
Students channel their creative expression by painting, drawing and constructing art pieces. They use play dough and other tactile objects on a daily basis which supports fine motor skills, prewriting skills and imagination. Once a week, the school’s Art teacher exposes the students to a Fine Arts Program where the students learn about artists and their work, Art History and how to produce similar pieces.
Library Time
To cultivate a love of reading, Kindergarteners are introduced to the library through weekly story-time sessions, held in the school library.
Eighth Grade Buddy Program
Each Kindergartener is assigned an Eighth Grade Buddy. This popular program offers support to our “little ones” as they get to know and trust an older student while building a school-wide sense of community. Together these students share many activities throughout the year including: apple dissection experiment, pumpkin carving, letter to Santa, Easter Egg Hunt and May Crowning. The Eighth Grade Buddies also serve as role models to teach the Kindergarteners how to act and behave in church, while developing a wonderful and mutually beneficial relationship throughout the year.