A Day in the Life of a Kindergartener
As a Clark Fork School Kindergarten Student your morning begins with a block of time set aside for greeting and socializing with your friends, playing games, reading, recording weather, drawing, and imaginative play. This allows you to ease into a busy day filled with many activities that include circle time, centers, small group time, clean-up, lunch, and outside play. We also enjoy many field trips as well as swimming and downhill ski lessons.
Circle Time
Circle time begins with a song as we gather on the big rug. We then talk about the weather andobservations we’ve made on our way to school. Next we read a morning letter written by your teachers, and we update our daily calendar. The morning letter includes a description of the centers you will explore that day.
Centers
Center time is a busy and fun part of your kindergarten day. During this time you may explore and practice letters and numbers, create art projects, cook a tasty snack, or predict and observe a science experiment-all related to the subject you are studying.
Clean-up
Now that you are a kindergartener and ready to take on some responsibility, you will be a part of a clean-up team. You and your team will be in charge of cleaning up a center
as well as a daily classroom job.
Lunch
After washing your hands you will sit at a table with your friends to eat while listening to music or a story.
Outside Time
We spend a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes outside each day, weather permitting. During this time youcan choose to be involved in a large group game such as freeze tag or join a smaller group of children in imaginative play. Or maybe you prefer to get some exercise playing tetherball, basketball, swinging, sledding, or working your muscles as you go across the monkey bars. Because children from the Preschool and Primary programs are outside at this time also, you have the chance to play with children of various age groups and interests or see your brother or sister to say hello.
Thankful Circle
As the morning winds down, we gather once again in a circle. At this time we practice our listening and speaking skills as we take turns going around the circle sharing an appreciation.
Afternoon Time
This special time of day is spent in a very relaxed environment. You will enjoy some quiet time on individual mats while listening to a story. During this time you are free to just simply rest, draw quietly, or look at books. We also work on larger more open-ended science and art projects. Each day of the week offers a different activity such as yoga, music, bingo, or art, and always ends with time to play outside.
Field Trips
Our goal in kindergarten is to spend at least one day a week (generally more) in activities outside theclassroom; because we value the natural world around us, we strive to use it as our classroom whenever possible. We are fortunate to be within walking distance or a short city bus ride to many wonderful parks and nature trails. These meaningful excursions and experiences include saunters to local parks and nature trails where you are encouraged to use your senses to take in the natural world around you, and you will be given an opportunity to journal about your experiences.
Swim & Ski Programs
Every year the kindergarten program participates in swimming lessons at the YMCA and/or Cuurrents and ski lessons at Snowbowl Ski Area. Transportation is provided for both programs, which take place during school hours. There is an additional fee for these activities and financial aid is available.
Classroom Expectations
Because we try to ensure that everyone feels welcome, safe, and part of our group, you will help to create Community Agreements (our rules) for our class. You will spend time learning how to be a friend to others and how to use words to solve problems.
