Junior Kindergarten Teachers

Learning Environment

The classroom environment is conducive to learning with the carefully prepared materials, individual and small group presentations, large group circle time and promotion of independence. Practical Life exercises help establish a broad foundation for more advanced training. These exercises include pouring, polishing, scrubbing, transferring, sweeping and folding. They promote the development of independence, order, coordination, and concentration. The Sensorial exercises help establish a solid foundation for math and language. These exercises include sorting, matching, and patterning. These again promote the development of independence, order, coordination, and concentration.

Social/Emotional Development

Teachers strive to create a safe, nurturing environment and sense of community for the children in the classroom. An emphasis is placed on character education and students are guided in using a problem solving approach to conflict resolution. Teachers consider the home school relationship of utmost importance. Students are encouraged to demonstrate grace, courtesy, and a respect for others.

Language Arts

Activities are constructed to support the many learning modalities and developmental stages of a child’s literacy growth. These activities are implemented through immersion, demonstration, and small/large group instruction. Through the Rowland "Happily Ever After" reading Program, we emphasize oral language development, phonological and phonemic awareness, print and book awareness, alphabetic knowledge, awareness of the alphabetic principle, emergent writing, and shared reading. Our Handwriting Without Tears program uses multi-sensory teaching methods and hands on manipulatives. Research shows this combination complements all learning styles of children (visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic).

• develop letter recognition
• develop correct letter formation
• be exposed to rhyming stories, poetry, and songs
• develop comprehension skills
• sequence events in storytelling
• be exposed to a variety of literature
   

Mathematics

EarlyBird Kindergarten Singapore Mathematics program provides opportunities for consolidation, remediation and enrichment. Activities in the form of practical tasks provide hands on experiential learning for students forming the basis for a concrete, pictorial and abstract approach.

Social Studies

The social studies curriculum is designed to encourage each child to develop an understanding of self, others, and his/her relationship to the world with an emphasis on character education. Hands-on experiences, field trips, and guest speakers are utilized to enhance the children’s educational experience. 

Thematic Units of Study

• My Family & Me
• Where I Live and Community Helpers
• Fall & Friends
• Celebrating Holidays
• Winter
• Transportation
• The Five Senses
• Springtime
• Farm Life 
• Summer Fun

Junior Kindergarten Teachers

Art 

The development of fine motor skills and confidence through creative expression, color blending and exploration of materials highlight the Junior Kindergarten Art program. 

Computers

Students have the opportunity to work individually with the computer on a daily basis. Each classroom is equipped with a complete computer, printer and developmentally appropriate software. These students visit the computer lab once a week for 30 minutes where they are instructed in the use of the keyboard, mouse and basic terminology. Computer software is used to develop problem solving abilities and to reinforce concepts presented in the mathematics, literacy skills, science and social studies.
 

Library

Students develop an appreciation of literature and participate in stories and activities in the library. Students also learn beginning library skills through checking out books.
 

Music

Students meet with the music specialist once a week. They participate in movement and dance activities, sing and play rhythm instruments.
 

Physical Education

Students participate in weekly physical education program. Children work on balance, ball handling, agility and muscle strengthening activities. We continue to work on fine and gross motor patterns.
 

Spanish

Students will have Spanish language twice a week beginning in Pre-Kindergarten. Spanish class is an immersion experience in which children play, interact and learn in a Spanish-only environment. The workbook curriculum, designed specifically for OHLS, supports the acquisition of vocabulary as a means to participation and fluency. The objectives of our foreign language program for Lower School are to generate enthusiasm, and to achieve basic understanding and conversation skills. We invite parents and friends to join us in Spanish class whenever possible!