Kindergarten
Welcome to Kindergarten
Our Kindergarten program incorporates the academic goals of a traditional K curriculum while remaining faithful to the play-based philosophy that guides our school. Children become readers, writers and mathematicians through a thoughtful combination of direct instruction and guided discovery. Hands-on experiences are prioritized over passive participation and creativity and personal agency are valued.
Program Snapshot
Age
Children must be 5 by December 31st of the year in which they attend.
Ratio
12:2
Schedule
Students meet 5 days a week based on the following schedule:
Mondays and Fridays: 8:45 – 1:15
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: 8:45 – 3:00
Program Approach
The Ice Skating Rink Project
Sometimes a project originates with a provocation from the teachers that captures children’s attention. In this K class, children were enjoying “skating” on a tiny pretend rink that the teachers made for the dramatic play area. Their play revealed questions about ice, freezing temperatures, and how to maintain an ice rink. To answer those inquiries, the class made a visit to the Longshore Skating Rink (right in our neighborhood), and The Ice Skating Rink Project was born. The class returned ready to delve deeper into this topic. They did experiments with water and temperature, exploring the conditions that created smooth ice. They constructed an ice rink, snack shop, and even a Zamboni that moved, just like the one they saw at Longshore. An ice hockey player visited to share his equipment and answer questions about the sport, and the class decided to add hockey sticks and goals to their classroom ice rink. Friends from all the other classes were invited to come skate at The Learning Community Ice Rink, take a ride on the Zamboni, and visit the snack shop for a full recreational experience.
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Our Kindergarten Program harnesses children’s curiosity and interests and facilitates sustained investigations of topics of interest to the class.
Emerging literacy and numeracy skills are applied with purpose and enthusiasm as children research, discover, create and problem-solve. Children are active participants and make decisions that help guide the direction of an investigation, with teachers scaffolding each learning activity to ensure each child’s success. The curriculum also includes: art, music, Spanish, physical education, science and yoga.
At LCDS, children have many opportunities to plan, evaluate their work, and revisit learning experiences.
They are encouraged to be independent thinkers and learners. As members of a classroom community, children learn to be socially responsible and responsive, and to respect individual differences. Our goal is to nurture the whole child and cultivate a life-long love of learning.
Happy Chatter
We enrolled our son in the Kindergarten Program hoping it would help him gain confidence, and it absolutely did, but what he walked away with was so much more. Over the course of the year, he grew emotionally, socially, and academically in ways we never could have anticipated. The environment was nurturing yet appropriately challenging, and the educators were truly exceptional. They encouraged his curiosity, supported his independence, and celebrated his unique personality. We are so grateful he had the opportunity for another year of growth in such a thoughtful and inspiring setting.
Laura Gitto | Parent
The Kindergarten Program at LCDS surpassed all of our expectations, which were already set high from the first three years at LCDS. The teachers created an environment in which our son was confident in asking questions, expressing himself, and learning through play. Our son learned to read and write, but also spent time gardening, building, and exploring other interests. Most importantly, the kids were all encouraged to be empathetic and kind. We can’t wait to send our daughter through the program next!
kindergarten Parent
Program Approach
The Ice Skating Rink Project
Sometimes a project originates with a provocation from the teachers that captures children’s attention. In this K class, children were enjoying “skating” on a tiny pretend rink that the teachers made for them to enjoy. Their play revealed questions about ice, freezing temperatures, and how to maintain an ice rink. To answer those inquiries, the class made a visit to the Longshore Skating Rink (right in our neighborhood), and The Ice Skating Rink Project was born. The class returned ready to delve deeper into this topic. They did experiments with water and temperature, exploring the conditions that created smooth ice. They constructed an ice rink, snack shop, and even a Zamboni that moved, just like the one they saw at Longshore. An ice hockey player visited to share his equipment and answer questions about the sport, and the class decided to add hockey sticks and goals to their classroom ice rink. Friends from all the other classes were invited to come skate at The Learning Community Ice Rink, take a ride on the Zamboni, and visit the snack shop for a full recreational experience.
Take a look inside the Kindergarten program
Morning Meeting provides a daily anchor
where children engage in a myriad of literacy and numeracy activities, as well as important social routines that build self-confidence and foster a sense of community. Activities throughout the day are designed to encourage children to work individually, in small groups, or with the whole classroom community. Skills are acquired and practiced in purposeful ways that are meaningful to young children.