Kindergarten: Beginnings of a Lifelong journey
When a child enters the kindergarten classroom for the first time, he/she can feel the excitement, delight, and expectation at becoming fully immersed into the life of the school. Kindergarteners delight in joining in on the daily student assembly every morning, accompanying the upper graders to mass each week, and best of all, joining a One Heart Family.
Philosophy and Approach
At Sacred Heart, we encourage children to become curious, thoughtful, and joyful learners. Kindergarten is a hands-on age-appropriate developmental program with a focus on the whole child: spiritual, mental, physical and social. Our very experienced teacher and aide collaborate with parents to provide a nurturing, happy, and loving environment that focuses on each child reaching their highest potential.
Curricular program and Teachers
Our Kindergarten teacher has over 30 years of Catholic school experience in the classroom and is an expert in Early Childhood Education. She is supported by a full-time aide who works with individual students and small groups to support and enhance the learning experience. Kindergarteners also have instruction in all core subject areas and subject area specialists include Art teacher, Music Teacher, P.E. Teacher and Science Teacher. All teachers collaborate as a team to ensure that each child is progressing and growing.
Language Arts
The development of reading, writing, and listening skills is the primary academic focus of Kindergarten. Almost every activity in every subject area, including in math and science, is designed to develop a wide array of language skills that are aligned with and exceed the Common Core standards of the State of California.
Math and Science
The math and science programs are seamlessly aligned with the JK and First Grade expectations and introduce students to the core mathematical practices of developing habits of mind of mathematical thinkers including reasoning, explaining, modeling, using tools, identifying patterns and making generalizations.
In science, the key word for kindergarteners is “explore!” They explore the natural world in exciting and engaging ways that develop scientific reasoning skills and practices. Learning to observe and make arguments is a key outcome in Kindergarten.
Spanish
The Spanish Language curriculum for the Kindergarten classroom is a progression from the Junior-K Spanish program. At Sacred Heart, we know that a child’s early developmental years are the critical time for multiple language acquisition. Spanish Language learning enhances and strengthens all of a child’s language learning skills— for English as well as for secondary languages. Our Spanish program is designed and taught by our Spanish Specialty teacher and focuses on introducing a natural language acquisition approach utilizing music and conversation. The Spanish Language program is focused on building the child’s vocabulary and conversation skills, and offers children an opportunity experience a diverse language and cultural heritage.
Religion
We believe that each child is a precious, beloved child of God, and that God is Love itself. Children learn about Jesus, and about the Church through prayer and liturgies.
One Heart
Each Kindergartener is placed in a “Family” of students that includes one child from each grade level. Children stay in the same family as they move up the grades and learn about each other and help with each other through a variety of monthly activities that build upon our School-wide Learning Expectations.
