Our Kindergarten students show their faith by committing to helping others around them. We participate in a month long service project to support the community. We take part in small acts of kindness with other classes, learning that little things can make a big difference in our world.
Nativity Kindergartener’s learn about God’s love and that Jesus wants us to love others too!
Language Arts
Kindergarteners experience an active language art block that includes a strong base of phonemic awareness, oral vocabulary and reading fluency. With engaging activities, children learn in whole-group and small-group settings. We implement core phonemic reading skills using the Orton Gillingham program: letter-sound association, blending words, sight word recognition, simple sentence writing, and word parts. We are proud to teach our young writers D’Nealian style handwriting which prepares them for cursive handwriting in upper grades.
Social Studies
In kindergarten, children learn about their families, classmates, and neighbors. They begin to distinguish people and events of the past from the present and begin the development of citizenship, thinking, and participation skills. All social studies skills are learned through the natural progression of the school year, and events are celebrated and learned from as they occur, such as the annual Thanksgiving Feast.
Math
Hands-on manipulatives, trial, and error, predicting, and experimenting are all part of our Math program. We use pattern blocks, linking cubes, number tiles, and many other items to support creative learning. Kindergarteners grow in understanding and mastery of number sense, learn addition and subtraction understanding, compare and describe attributes of objects, classify objects, and identify, describe and create 2D and 3D shapes.
Science/STEM
Nativity is excited to offer a balanced science structure using classroom lessons, STEM class, and work with 8th-grade “science buddies” in the lab! Hands-on experience and visual experiments help young learners see how science is part of our everyday world. They learn about changing seasons, animals, environments, plants, and weather and discover how things move. Students learn that God is our great Creator and we learn about Him through science and the world He created.
Visual Arts
Pull up your sleeves and get ready to be messy!!
Kindergarteners begin their arts education at Nativity by exploring the elements of art such as color, line, shape, and texture. An artistic exploration of these elements is chosen to be developmentally appropriate for fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and understanding and use of various art materials and tools. We also learn about famous artists and how they inspire us to express our unique creativity.
Religion
Nativity Kindergarteners learn about God’s love and that Jesus wants us to love others too! Through prayer, song, and Bible stories they learn and try to exhibit their Catholic faith in everyday activities. Nativity young learners experience seasonal church celebrations, take part in active worship at church, read scripture stories and learn about God’s love and the Catholic Faith. Kindergarten leads Mass twice a year, shows appropriate Mass etiquette, learns basic prayers as a solid foundation for growing faith and love of God. The children learn to live their lives with God as their guide and practice the Golden Rule as they interact with their school family.
Technology
Once a week Kindergarteners work with our computer teacher to become familiar with desktop and laptop technology. Students gain confidence in maneuvering through websites and applications. They will focus on using a keyboard and mouse to navigate in Microsoft Word, friendly paint programs, and learning games. Students also use tablets in the classrooms for reading and math stations, experimenting with different apps that work for their level of learning.
Music
Music provides our kindergarten students with an opportunity to explore rhythm, melody, and harmony with song, instruments, movement, and games. We endeavor to implant a life-long love of music through all types of hands-on experiences. Our kindergarten students participate in one concert each year.
Physical Education
Kindergarten physical education standards are incorporated into games and activities. Special emphasis is placed on basic motor skills: running,
jumping, skipping, throwing, and catching. Activities are designed to be non-competitive and fun!!
Click here to learn about our Kindergarten teachers