Kindergarten students have many new and exciting experiences and learn many fundamental skills that they will build upon throughout their education.

"I want to stay in Kindergarten forever." "I love learning and school." ~Alden Kindergarten Students

Throughout the Kindergarten year, we focus on the concepts of relationships and responsibility. Our students are able to make connections of these concepts across math, reading, social studies, science, and other areas of our day.

Alden School's kindergarten program is developmental; lessons and activities are designed to meet the needs of students based on their individual stages of development. All areas of the curriculum offer students opportunities to construct understanding through systematic and varied instructional experiences. The kindergarten program integrates the teaching of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health through language-rich curriculum.

CKLA Literacy:

Using our curriculum, CKLA, students receive rich experiences that are based in the science of reading. It incorporates a hands-on approach to learning in the areas of reading, writing, and word study. Students learn letter names, letter sounds and word patterns through teacher instruction and games.

CKLA Knowledge Units:

Nursery Rhymes and Fables

The Five Senses

Stories

Plants

Farms

Native Americans

Kings and Queens

Seasons and Weather

Columbus and the Pilgrims

Colonial Towns and Townspeople

Taking Care of the Earth

Presidents and American Symbols

Illustrative Math:

In mathematics, our curriculum, Illustrative Math, the focus is on the development of concepts and skills through the use of manipulatives and games applied to a variety of real-world activities. Kindergarteners learn to identify numbers, count above 100, identify shapes, make patterns, and identify coins and their values.

In science and social studies we learn about ourselves and the world around us, the seasons, weather, and animals.

Another highlight of Kindergarten is hatching chickens in the spring, as part of our science unit on animals. Students look forward to this each year.

An important part of Kindergarten is learning social skills. Students have free choice time each day where they get to play in the house, create in the art center, or play games with their friends. During this time, students are learning the important social skills of teamwork, sharing, and taking turns, as well as many others.

Our Kindergarten students have leadership roles in our classroom, including line leader, door holder, pledge leader, and energy saver. Each child has a leadership notebook where they keep track of their learning progress and leadership roles. Students also learn daily about what it means to be a CADET and develop positive skills in Communication, Accountability, Decision Making, Effort, and Teamwork.

The identification of students' needs through daily observation and informal assessment serves as the basis for instruction. Teachers plan lessons for whole class, small group, and individuals based on this information.

Parental involvement in the learning process is highly valued. Parents and teachers work together as a team to maximize learning for all students. Ongoing communication regarding student progress is provided through a variety of methods, including notes, emails, phone calls, class Facebook pages, and conferences. In addition, class work is sent home on a regular basis and report cards are issued two times per year.

Thank you for choosing Alden Kindergarten for your child! We look forward to many years of learning together!