Kindergarten  |  Kindergarten Tuition  |  Sample Schedule

Kindergarten

Kindergarten Program 8:00am – 3:00pm M-F with an option to leave at 12:00pm
The kindergarten activities revolve around a planned curriculum based upon State of Ohio Board of Education standards. Our teachers are certified with the State of Ohio.

Objectives

1. To provide a strong foundation for elementary school education.
2. To set a Christian environment for learning, including teacher example and instruction in Biblical truths and Christian values.
3. To afford a format for learning that furnishes everyday contact to promote rapid understanding of materials presented.
4. To provide a half-day program in keeping with child's age level, attention span, and physical needs.
5. To provide a student/teacher ratio for an optimum-learning environment which allows the teacher to provide personal attention when needed.

Curriculum
Reading Readiness-Math-Science Basics-Writing-Bible-Physical Education
Our teaching staff is dedicated to making RiverTree Christian School a positive learning experience for all children. Our kindergarten offers play based learning centers where children are able to make choices and participate in small group activities. We offer a well-planned curriculum that the teachers utilize to prepare activities each day. The activities are organized around themes and learning centers that include Bible, art, dramatic play, music, science, nature, crafts, fine motor skills, listening skills, cognitive skills, puppets, finger plays, rhymes, and group time. The daily schedule includes both active and quiet indoor activities and playground or gym time.

Our program is based on a curriculum of learning centers that are appropriate for kindergarten level. The following explains this curriculum:

1. Children's development and learning are integrated.
2. Learning results from the process of interacting with materials and people.
3. Learning activities and materials should be concrete, real, relevant, and multi-sensory.
4. Learning takes place as children touch, manipulate, and experiment with things while interacting with people.
5. As children work with materials or activities, teacher listen, observe, and interpret children's behavior.
6. Children need uninterrupted periods of time to become involved, investigate, select, and persist at activities.
7. Repetition of acquired skills through child-initiated and directed activities is most valuable for full assimilation.

Children acquire communication skills through hearing and using language, and as adults listen and respond to what they say. (Taken from Dr. John R. Cryan, University of Toledo).

Skills Emphasized

• Language Development - Reinforcing ability to verbalize thought, ideas, and events.
• Listening Skills - Hearing simple directions and following through with appropriate action.
• Reading Readiness - Recite the alphabet in order. Identify the letters of the alphabet and their sounds. Blend these sounds together to read words (some will read stories). Print upper and lowercase letters, print name.
• Math - Identify shapes and colors. Number recognition and writing 1-20. Number sequences by ones, counting by 5's and 10's to 100. Value of coins, telling time, and using the calendar. Addition and subtraction facts through 10.
• Science, Health, and Social Studies - Learn about themselves and the world around them.
• Large Muscle Development - Climbing, jumping, running, skipping, handling blocks, and balance beam.
• Fine Motor Development - Cutting, pasting, use of clay, play-doh, and crayons.
• Creativity - In arts and crafts, songs and rhythm, stories, games, finger plays, shape and size perception, likes and differences perception.
• Communication/Social Interaction - Interaction with his/her peers and with adults, how to care and share, and how to work and play together.

Parent Involvement
We encourage parent participation in special events (i.e., holiday parties, field trips, Spring Fun Days, and Physical Fitness Days). If you have a special talent/hobby, or would like to share your occupation with the children, please inform your child's teacher or the director.

Field Trips
We will be taking periodic field trips. Before departing the school, a count will be taken of all of the children, and they will be marked on a separate attendance sheet, specifically created for the trip. Upon arrival at the destination, another count will be taken to assure that all of the children have safely arrived. This process will be repeated upon leaving the destination and returning to school. During the course of field trips, each staff member will have specific children that they are responsible for supervising. Before any child participates in either a routine or field trip, the school will obtain written permission from the parent or guardian. No child will be allowed to be dropped off or picked up from the field trip destination. Children must leave and return on the school bus under the direct supervision of a staff member.

Snacks
The school provides the snack for the kindergarten. Parents are able to sign up on a voluntary basis to provide snacks for class parties. Teachers may ask parents to bring in a special food item that enhances the monthly theme or special activity. Birthdays are very special occasions for children. We would like you to help us celebrate by bringing a special birthday snack. Cookies or cupcakes are appropriate for the occasion. Please talk with your child's teacher about a date to bring birthday treats.