Interim-Kindergarten

One of the most daunting times for parents is trying to enroll their child in an appropriate early education program.  Even more confusing is deciding if the child is actually quite ready for school or ahead of the curve and should start early.  We stress to parents that they must consider the emotional/social needs of the child rather than just the cognitive skills their child seems to possess. Children who often seem to fall into this category are children turning five with late summer and fall birthdays.  Often they are not quite as ready for kindergarten as their peers or they are ready for more than regular preschool, but don’t make the age cut-off of local kindergarten programs.  To meet this constant demand, we have a specially designed class called interim kindergarten.  This class meets five half or full days a week and offers a curriculum that reflects the skill level of children turning five.  It is not a repeat of preschool, nor is it as demanding as kindergarten.  It is a balance of basic skills development combined with beginning reading skills and math skills development.

At 2nd Nature Academy we value cooperation, interaction, and willingness to accept challenges.  We focus on individual strengths and value the uniqueness of each learner.  While there are many curricular goals we set out to achieve, the process we use to accomplish these objectives varies from child to child.  Therefore, assessment is used as a useful tool to aid the learner rather than as a mechanism used to measure correct responses or the ability to perform certain tasks.  Unfortunately, in most circumstances, success in school depends on the coverage of curriculum  and little to do with true understanding.  By providing diversified materials and numerous opportunities for observation, exploration, and inquiry, nearly all children will become true learners and problem solvers.  Following is a basic outline of our philosophy and curriculum goals.  Our approach in presenting material is thematic and interdisciplinary.  Concepts are woven together, throughout the various content areas. There will be limited use of worksheets and “cookie cutter” art projects.  Instead, learning will take place through experiential education and discernible learning situations.

Preschool Curriculum is:

hands-on and developmentally appropriate, holistic, thematic, multicultural, experiential, play- based, individualized, integrated

Curriculum Goals

• Math
  

shapes, patterns, counting, sequencing, number recognition, sorting, classifying, spatial relationships, symbolic representation, data collection and representation, one-to-one correspondence, estimation, greater than/less than, days of the week/months of the year, measurement, counting by 5’s and 10’s, recognizing and counting coins, telling time by the hour, simple computations, basic problem solving skills.

• Language arts
  

literature/stories, listening skills, predicting outcomes, following directions, rhyming patterns, nursery rhymes, expressing feelings and thoughts, letter recognition, basic manuscript skills,   sound symbol relationship, phonemic awareness skills, beginning reading for some

• Science
  

weather, seasons, water, air, animal habitats and behaviors, plants/gardening , insects, oceans, body parts, five senses, health and nutrition, magnets, natural environment, biomes, ecosystems, habitats, inquiry, exploration, and reflection

• Social Studies
  

friends and families, all about me, neighborhoods, communities, community helpers/people at work, relationships, cultures, customs, and celebrations

• Music & Movement
  

rhythm/beat, rhythm instruments, simple melodies, gross motor skills, moving to music, music appreciation, listening activities

• Creative Arts
  

exploring different media, colors, texture, self-expression, art appreciation, style and techniques

• Life Skills
  

responsibility , interpreting and following rules, making choices, bathroom management, self- help skills, manners and courtesy, respect for materials, respect for the environment, respect for other people, accepting differences, table manners and portion control, planting and gardening