Kindergarten
The faculty and staff of Our Lady of Mercy School are pleased that your family is interested in learning about our Kindergarten curriculum. Located in the Early Childhood Center, our program offers a variety of developmentally appropriate opportunities for your child. We have many different and creative activities that involve our parents as well.
We staff a wonderful group of educators at the Kindergarten level, including four full-time teachers, and two classroom assistants. These assistants alternate between different sections of kindergarten daily, and assist students and teachers with activities.
Core Knowledge Sequence
The Core Knowledge Sequence is a detailed outline of specific content to be taught in language arts, history, geography, mathematics, science, and the fine arts. As the core of a school’s curriculum, it can provide a solid, coherent foundation of learning, while allowing flexibility to meet local needs. The Sequence, distinguished by its specificity, offers a coherent plan that builds year by year and helps prevent repetitions and gaps in instruction. Currently, the Core Knowledge Sequence is being used at all grade levels at Our Lady of Mercy School for the Social Studies curriculum. Plans are to expand this Sequence into other academic areas as well.
Handwriting Without Tears
“Handwriting Without Tears” is a program designed to teach pre-printing, printing, and cursive writing. The program was developed by Occupational therapist and Handwriting Specialist Jan Z. Olsen, OTR. She has more than 25 years experience helping children, and training teachers and therapists. Handwriting Without Tears is an inclusive method for teaching children of ALL ability levels.
Developmental Theme Based Activity Centers
Theme based centers can be used as an extension of a theme which is currently being studied in the classroom. Centers can be set up in a variety of ways to best accommodate the individual dynamics of each classroom, and can be used as a supplemental learning tool. Centers may also provide time for students to learn independently. This individual or small group time allows students to explore new concepts through hands-on activities rather than guided teacher lectures.
Literacy Stations
Each station is focused around the weekly thematic unit with special emphasis on writing, listening, fine motor and reading skills. One station meets as a small group with the teacher, with emphasis on reading. The other stations foster independent work, with less teacher guidance.
Religion
Religious goals include giving children a sense of God, helping children discover God’s love for them, shaping attitudes of love and respect for self and others, and learning how to share with others. Children will experience God’s love through the beauty of creation, spontaneous prayer, song and dance. Bible stories will be read in order to bring about an awareness of God as their Father, Mary as the Mother of God, and Jesus as their loving friend and Savior.
Throughout the Year in Kindergarten we . . .
. . . enjoy Art, P. E., Spanish, Computer, Music, and Library
. . . enjoy a Fall Festival, with lots of crafts and activities that focus on the Fall
. . . enjoy participating in the Christmas play
. . . enjoy our annual Mardi Gras Parade
. . . enjoy Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations
. . . enjoy field trips throughout the school year
. . . enjoy learning daily through fun and creative projects
Program
The Kindergarten Program is divided into periods of group activities and individual free choice activities. Whole group activities include music, storytelling, and sharing times. Students do participate in Spanish, Computer, Physical Education, Music, Art, and Library classes. Small group or individual activities will include time spent with the teacher and peers or time spent in centers.
Assessment
Informal observations will continually be used as an evaluation tool. Student progress is reported each nine weeks via report cards and conferences. Report cards include narratives and progress charts or checklists.
We staff a wonderful group of educators at the Kindergarten level, including four full-time teachers, and two classroom assistants. These assistants alternate between different sections of kindergarten daily, and assist students and teachers with activities.
Core Knowledge Sequence
The Core Knowledge Sequence is a detailed outline of specific content to be taught in language arts, history, geography, mathematics, science, and the fine arts. As the core of a school’s curriculum, it can provide a solid, coherent foundation of learning, while allowing flexibility to meet local needs. The Sequence, distinguished by its specificity, offers a coherent plan that builds year by year and helps prevent repetitions and gaps in instruction. Currently, the Core Knowledge Sequence is being used at all grade levels at Our Lady of Mercy School for the Social Studies curriculum. Plans are to expand this Sequence into other academic areas as well.
Handwriting Without Tears
“Handwriting Without Tears” is a program designed to teach pre-printing, printing, and cursive writing. The program was developed by Occupational therapist and Handwriting Specialist Jan Z. Olsen, OTR. She has more than 25 years experience helping children, and training teachers and therapists. Handwriting Without Tears is an inclusive method for teaching children of ALL ability levels.
Developmental Theme Based Activity Centers
Theme based centers can be used as an extension of a theme which is currently being studied in the classroom. Centers can be set up in a variety of ways to best accommodate the individual dynamics of each classroom, and can be used as a supplemental learning tool. Centers may also provide time for students to learn independently. This individual or small group time allows students to explore new concepts through hands-on activities rather than guided teacher lectures.
Literacy Stations
Each station is focused around the weekly thematic unit with special emphasis on writing, listening, fine motor and reading skills. One station meets as a small group with the teacher, with emphasis on reading. The other stations foster independent work, with less teacher guidance.
Religion
Religious goals include giving children a sense of God, helping children discover God’s love for them, shaping attitudes of love and respect for self and others, and learning how to share with others. Children will experience God’s love through the beauty of creation, spontaneous prayer, song and dance. Bible stories will be read in order to bring about an awareness of God as their Father, Mary as the Mother of God, and Jesus as their loving friend and Savior.
Throughout the Year in Kindergarten we . . .
. . . enjoy Art, P. E., Spanish, Computer, Music, and Library
. . . enjoy a Fall Festival, with lots of crafts and activities that focus on the Fall
. . . enjoy participating in the Christmas play
. . . enjoy our annual Mardi Gras Parade
. . . enjoy Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations
. . . enjoy field trips throughout the school year
. . . enjoy learning daily through fun and creative projects
Program
The Kindergarten Program is divided into periods of group activities and individual free choice activities. Whole group activities include music, storytelling, and sharing times. Students do participate in Spanish, Computer, Physical Education, Music, Art, and Library classes. Small group or individual activities will include time spent with the teacher and peers or time spent in centers.
Assessment
Informal observations will continually be used as an evaluation tool. Student progress is reported each nine weeks via report cards and conferences. Report cards include narratives and progress charts or checklists.
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Click here to view the school calendar along with sports schedules, etc...
Click here to view the school calendar along with sports schedules, etc...
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