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| Kindergarten at Our Savior's Lutheran School is a three day a week, full day program. The curriculum is as follows, |
| Religious
Instruction The day begins with a morning devotion based on several verses from the Psalms. Later in the day the Bible History lesson is presented through use of the ChristLight curriculum (Northwestern Publishing). The lessons begin with the Genesis creation account, man's fall into sin, and the promise of the Savior. Time is spent studying the Flood and the patriarchs. We complete our Old Testament lessons with accounts of David and the Babylonian captivity. At Christmas time we shift to the New Testament studying the events surrounding Jesus' birth. We then have lessons on Jesus' ministry and finish the year with lessons on Jesus' ascension into heaven and Pentecost. The events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection are studied in conjunction with the time Easter occurs each year. Several days are spent on each Bible story. After multiple exposures to the story it is hoped the children will be able to tell the story themselves with the aid of some cues or props. Learning a memory verse which pertains to the story is an important part of each lesson. In addition to classroom time spent on Bible History there is a 15 minute weekly chapel service conducted by either the Pastor or Principal. A Christian perspective is integrated into all the subjects whenever appropriate. |
| Reading Attention to literacy is intertwined throughout the day. Stories read to the children, having fun with the language with rhymes and songs, and reinforcing the children's natural interest in the sounds of the language and writing all promote the child's emerging literacy. More formal reading instruction involves use of Beginning to Read, Write, and Listen (Macmillan/McGraw-Hill). A "Letterbook" is the basis for instruction for each letter of the alphabet. The name, symbol, and one sound each letter represents is taught using this phonics approach. Students gain experience in blending the letter sounds to form words. By about the fourth week in school students have been introduced to the letters "d," "o," and "g," and so are equipped to figure out the word "dog." Of course since we are a Christian school we teach the word "God" at the same time. We spend about four days on each Letterbook and then the student takes it home to keep. |
| Math The Saxon Kindergarten Math curriculum is the basis for math instruction at Our Savior's Lutheran School. This program develops a solid foundation in basic concepts of math including number related work, geometry, graphing, and money. There is a great deal of work with manipulatives so concepts being developed are represented in a concrete way. |
| Music Sing and Make Music, a curriculum published by Northwestern Publishing House, is the basis for music instruction. Both sacred and secular music are included. Among concepts introduced are beat, dynamics, rhythm, tempo, and pitch. |
| Movement There is specific attention paid to body awareness during this time of the schedule. In addition to basic skills like hopping and skipping, we work on muscular strength, balance, and directionality. |
| Plan-Do-Recall
Time This part of the schedule gives the students the opportunity to participate in what's called "active learning." Children chose from a variety of activities and come up with a "Plan" for what they intend to do. Students carry out their plan in the "Do" time, and verbalize what they've done in the "Recall" time. This special time of the day promotes the students' purposefulness, organization, focus, decision-making, responsibility, and accountability. |
| Kindergartners sing with other students of the school at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church Sunday service several times during the year. They also have a part in the annual special Christmas Eve service. |
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