| Kindergarten Kindergarten is a busy place at Simis Elementary School. In our half-day program, children develop speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills through music, poetry, physical movement, letter games, phonics and daily writing and reading activities. Each week we learn new sight words to strengthen our emergent reading skills, and learn letter formation using the D'Nealian alphabet. Mathematics is a hands-on experience here at Simis. We include pattern blocks, snap-cubes, wooden blocks, and many types of small manipulatives to introduce and reinforce the concepts of counting, geometric shapes, sorting, making patterns and measuring. Additionally, we solve word problems, first as a whole group, and then later recording our work on paper. Science, Social Studies, Computer Skills and Library are included in a busy week, and we have a music specialist, Jeffrey Sadow, visit our classrooms 15 times a year for rhythm, music and body movement activities. The Kindergarten teachers plan together on a weekly basis and often coordinate activities that include all children in the grade level, such as Kindergarten Rodeo, making gingerbread houses, and celebrating the 100th Day of School. The Extended Day Kindergarten (EDK) program extends kindergarten to a full day and is tuition based. Children in the program enjoy cooking, additional art and science projects, music, language arts, and math activities in addition to lots of time to develop and expand social skills. Again, the EDK teachers plan together on a weekly basis to encourage participation whenever possible. | |
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