Happy Hollow School Kindergarten Program
Happy Hollow School Kindergarten Program Philosophy
We at Happy Hollow believe the kindergarten experience is one of the most vital years in the thirteen year educational process. We shall endeavor to help your child learn to learn, to acquire the ability and willingness to extend his/her intellectual and emotional resources and bring them to bear in making decisions, organizing experiences and utilizing knowledge.
Each child comes to school with his/her own unique background of preschool and life experiences, as well as a unique style of learning. We appreciate your child's individuality and will strive to help him/her realize the fullest potential by providing an environment that is developmentally sound and an atmosphere of warmth and concern.
Ideally, the best education is a team effort of the home, school and community. Let us join together to provide a positive experience for your child. We welcome your comments and concerns.
The appropriate age to begin kindergarten can be a contentious issue. Happy Hollow School respects but is not emcumbered by the public system's age cut offs. However, Happy Hollow School is committed to doing what is best in the long run for its students. Please click here to read our philosophy and admissions process for children turning five between August and December.
Kindergarten Program Themes
Happy Hollow's programs are balanced to provide a strong foundation of both academic and aesthetic experiences. The program is carefully organized to provide activities for individual and group needs. The School uses a thematic approach in teaching the individual disciplines. Our daily schedule includes play, instructions in the curriculum content area, listening and relaxation.
Morning lessons usually involve vertical learning, introducing new skills by building on knowledge the children already have. The afternoon brings horizontal learning, by which new-found skills and knowledge are put to use.
Work and play should not be differentiated in the learning process of children, because play is a child's way of learning. As a child uses toys and objects to represent things, he/she begins to understand the symbolic process of reading and writing. Through play, children also develop imagination and powers of concentration. Their thinking capacities and problem-solving skills are strengthened. Our activity-oriented program fosters and supports this natural way of learning.
Kindergarten Program Goals
Happy Hollow provides new experiences that help our children grow in attention, interest and readiness for new skills and knowledge. Click on each heading to learn more
about the curriculum topic.
Language Arts
Our Language Arts program encompasses four areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Progress in school depends upon language development. Listening and speaking are fundamental to reading and writing. Therefore, the development of oral language skills is emphasized in the kindergarten program.
Listening and Speaking Objectives
- To listen for and use new words to develop a larger, more accurate vocabulary
- To listen to and react appropriately to directions
- To develop good oral language habits of usage, enunciation and pronunciation by listening and speaking with peers and teachers
- To participate in and respond to a wide variety of literature and poetry
Reading and Writing Objectives
- To recognize differences and similarities between shapes, objects, letters and words and to recall details
- To identify letters and recognize sounds of the alphabet
- To observe left-to-right and top-to-bottom orientation and mature in eye-hand coordination
- To develop mechanics of writing (formation of letters and numbers)
- To grow in ability to comprehend, to reason, to judge, arrive at logical conclusions, make predictions and differentiate between fact and fantasy
- To learn to create and interpret simple written language involving words, letters and symbols on holiday greeting cards, easy signs and painted pictures,
short pupil-dictated phrases and stories
- To provide instruction in pre-reading and decoding skills in a variety of ways for those students for whom it is intellectually and developmentally appropriate
Specific Activities and Materials for Language Arts
class meetings /sharing experiences group discussions/ story and library time/ work papers/ dictation about experiences/ book-making/ records, tapes, films, filmstrips/ manipulative toys and games/ puppets/ flannel boards/ puzzles/ interest areas, such as block corner, computer center, dramatic play, art
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Mathematics
The Mathematics Program provides concrete manipulative materials and sequential learning experiences, leading to the development of more abstract concepts. Our focus is on process.
Mathematics Objectives
- To be able to describe, sort and classify objects by attributes
- To understand quantity relationships
- To identify and reproduce geometric shapes
- To understand the association between numeral and number
- To understand one to one correspondence
- To identify and extend patterns
- To explore simple ways of measurement
- To create simple graphs
- To develop computational skills necessary for mathematical problem solving
- To develop the organizational skills necessary for mathematical problem solving
- To understand time and make use of a calendar and a clock
- To identify coins and understand the use of money
Specific Activities and Materials for Mathematics
pegboards/ flannelboard cutouts/ puzzles/ building blocks/ colored beads/ geoboards/ georules/ parquetry blocks/ pattern blocks/ tangrams/ attribute logic blocks/ geometric solids/ dice/ dominoes/ measuring tools/ cuisenaire rods/ scales/ clocks/ calendars/ play money/ cash register/ work papers/ group discussions and experiments/ cooking projects/computer activities
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Social Studies
Social Studies program will endeavor to link the child's family and home experiences to those of the school, the community and the world at large. It will focus on the importance of living cooperatively within this larger community.
Social Studies Objectives
- To help the child understand human likes and differences and to learn to value them
- To develop the child's concept of family
- To develop the child's understanding that his/her actions affect others
- To help the child understand that there are acceptable ways of living together in a home, a school and a community
- To develop an understanding that people are dependent upon others in a community
- To develop the child's awareness of different types of housing, transportation and communication
- To develop the child's awareness of the significance of certain holidays
Specific Activities and Materials for Social Studies
interest centers and displays/ visits from community workers/ group discussions/ stories/ work papers/ weekly periodicals/ audio/visual materials/ photographs/ books/ dramatizations/ making of models/ art projects/ music/ games
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Science
Science is learned best when young children experience it through their senses, through simple experiments, enrichment materials and stimulating discussions. The child's innate sense of discovery and curiosity in the physical world and in living things is encouraged and developed through an activity-based program.
Science Objectives
- To develop keen observational skills
- To develop the child's ability to make predictions based on his/her observations
- To develop the child's ability to describe, sort and classify objects according to their properties
- To instill in the child respect and care for his/her natural surroundings
Specific Activities and Materials for Science
Observing nature's life cycles/ observing the weather/ observing, describing and caring for plants and animals/ schoolyard nature walks/ games/ water and sand experiences/ a study of dinosaurs/ sensory explorations/ scales/ magnets/ bulbs and batteries/ aquarium/ terrarium/ magnifying glasses/ thermometers/ collections of nature objects/ work papers
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Health Curriculum
Health is a way of living, not just freedom from illness. Our program will focus on establishing and maintaining good health. Units of study will include: Nutrition, Dental Care and Body Care.
Health Curriculum Objectives
- To encourage good health practices at home and school
- To promote an awareness of desired posture and balance in sitting, standing and walking
- To define proper nutrition and encourage good eating habits
- To foster an understanding of a balance of activity, rest and physical exercise
- To promote correct brushing and flossing of teeth
- To teach children how to judge appropriate dress for various weather conditions as well as activities
Specific Activities and Materials for the Health Curriculum
visits from community health care professionals/ interest centers and displays/ group discussions/ work papers/ audio-visual materials/ books/ photographs/ games
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Creative Arts
The Creative Arts Program includes experiences in ART, MUSIC and DRAMA. It concentrates on developing a general appreciation for these Arts, as well as the attainment of certain basic skills. Creative self-expressive experiences will provide an opportunity for your child to develop his/her own potential in the Arts. These experiences will include using a variety of visual and auditory materials, processes, techniques and media. Happy Hollow strongly believes a sound, enriched kindergarten program should encompass all the disciplines. Our holistic approach to learning supports the theory that children receive and transmit knowledge through a variety of modalities, and that sometimes certain modes are favored.
Specific Activities and Materials for the Creative Arts
drawing/ painting/ constructions/ scissor-cutting/ assemblages/ printmaking/ weaving/ woodworking/ sand and water play/ bookmaking/ crafts/ listening/ rhythm bands/ singing/ dancing/ creative movement/ dramatics/ puppet shows/ a large variety of art materials/ audio-visual materials/ musical instruments/ dress-up-clothes/ props/
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Safety Curriculum
The kindergarten child needs to develop desirable attitudes, skills, habits and competence of safety at an early age. All living, working and playing experiences in which the child becomes involved require an observance of some basic safety rules. Units of study will include: Household Safety, School Safety and Seasonal Safety.
Safety Curriculum Objectives
- To define various dangers in the home and teach precautions
- To teach proper use of tools, toys and equipment
- To include fire drills and fire emergency procedures
- To teach traffic rules
- To define proper bicycle and automobile travel
- To develop attitudes of responsibility and carefulness in seasonal activities
- To provide discussions of proper use of seasonal equipment/toys
Specific Activities and Materials for the Safety Curriculum
visits from community workers/ interest centers and displays/ group discussions/ stories/ dramatizations/ audio-visual materials/ work papers/ photographs/ games/ books
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Physical Education
Our Physical Education Program focuses on developing physical skills and coordination which are necessary for everyday living. We shall endeavor to develop gross motor skills, muscular coordination and balance. In addition, we shall encourage leadership abilities and a sense of sportsmanship within your child. The importance of exercise and fitness as it relates to the child's good health will also be stressed.
Specific Activities and Materials for Physical Education
creative movement/ body management/ listening to and following directions/ flexibility and agility skills/ balance games/ body rhythms/ manipulative skills/ ball skills/ parachute activities/ low organization games/ exercises/ a variety of game and sports equipment
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Interest Centers
Our Interest Centers are an integral part of our kindergarten program. Children need a time to be themselves and to direct themselves. They need the opportunity to independently decide on an activity, how to accomplish the activity and with whom to accomplish the activity, if anybody.
As most peer relationships are built around play, our Interest Centers provide valuable social experiences for the children. Leadership roles change frequently, so there are considerable opportunities for your child to be an observer, an active participant and a leader.
As stated in our Program description, work and play must not be differentiated at this level. Play at the Interest Centers fosters academic learning. Solving problems, learning concepts, improving motor and communication skills, controlling impulses and satisfying curiosity are best accomplished through meaningful play. Intellectual growth emerges as the child gathers information, raises questions, tries out ideas and tests hypotheses.
Some of our Interest Centers are permanent, and others change throughout the year to reflect our current curriculum. Our permanent centers include:
Art Centers, Block Center, Computer Center, Library Center, Listening Center, Manipulative Activity Centers, Math Center, Pretend Play Center, Science Center, Playground
Some specific developmental skills associated with our centers are: fine and gross motor control, eye-hand coordination, following directions, spatial relationships, size and shape relationships, balance, problem-solving, measurement, part-to-whole relationships, evaluation, creative thinking, and body strength, agility and flexibility
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Kindergarten Screening
During the first few weeks of school each child will be screened by the teachers. The screening is designed to be a brief survey of the child's development in the areas of cognitive skills, speech and language, and fine/gross motor skills. From this information, individual goals will be established to further the child's optimum development and academic success.
Although formal assessments are made bi-annually, continuous dialogue between parents and faculty is welcomed and encouraged.
Happy Hollow's reputation is renowned for the nurturing and supportive relationships between teachers/children/parents.
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Full Day Kindergarten Schedule
Flexibility will often intervene in class schedules.
However, the following structure is observed, and parents
are requested to have their children on time for the day's
activities.
8:30 - 9:00am:
Arrival Activities
putting away of clothing and lunch; quiet activities
9:00am - 3:00pm:
Circle Time
planning for the day; sharing
Instruction in Curricula
Content Areas
language arts, pre-reading/reading, math art, science, social studies, etc.
Activity Time
teacher-guided independent or small group activities, i.e. computers, block-building, creative play, cooking, art
Recess
Lunch
Quiet Time
listening to stories, music, looking at books
Activity Time
teacher-guided independent or small group activities, i.e. gross motor physical activities, drama and music
Closing Activities
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