Hilltop School's Kindergarten Program of Studies is aligned to the Common Core Standards and is designed to foster each child's cognitive, kinesthetic, and social-emotional development. We believe that a strong Kindergarten program will foster a love of learning that will last a lifetime, and that love of learning will in turn serve as the foundation for a high quality K-12 education.
In Kindergarten, students will be introduced to many new and exciting concepts. The following serves to provide a glimpse of the typical day of a Hilltop School Kindergartener:
Circle Time
After some general “housekeeping” chores, the typical day begins with Circle Time. During Circle Time, students learn social skills, such as, active listening, sharing, and appropriate participation in a large group. It is during this time that educational concepts such as the calendar, the weather, counting by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s, and the alphabet are introduced and reviewed through rhymes and songs. Circle Time also serves to develop valuable social and behavior skills that students will utilize for years to come. The most notable Circle Time activity is “Today is the __ day of school” activity that leads to the 100th Day of School Celebration.
Letterbook
During Letterbook activities students learn the letters and sounds of the alphabet, to recognize and read many sight words, and to begin to read words and simple sentences. The typical pace of the Letterbook activities schedule enables students to learn a new letter every five to seven school days. Parents will be amazed with their child’s progress in a short amount of time.
Literacy
The Kindergarten Literacy program consists of six themes including: All Together Now, Animals Live Here, Watch Me Change, Let’s Explore, Going Places, and Build Our Homes. Through the reading of high interest and exciting stories, students are introduced to oral and written language skills, and speaking and listening skills.
Science
The Kindergarten Science program enables students to develop an awareness of Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, and Space and Technology. In Life Science, students learn the needs of plants and animals, how plants and animals grow and change, and how plants and animals are all around. In Earth Science, students learn about land, water, air, weather and seasons. In Physical Science, students learn about matter, heat and light, and how things move. Finally, in Space and Technology, students learn about day and night and how things work.
Mathematics
The Kindergarten Mathematics program serves to introduce students to fundamental mathematical concepts and to develop functional mathematical skills. Students learn to count to 100, to write the numbers 0 to 100, to add and subtract, the concepts of measurement including weight, length, and height. Students also learn to sort, classify, count, and categorize data, and to identify shapes.
Measuring and Reporting Student Achievement
Kindergarten students receive quarterly report cards. In addition, parents are strongly encouraged to attend the annual parent-teacher conference. Parents and guardians are also welcome to contact their child’s teacher if they have any questions or to receive a periodic update regarding their child’s progress.