We spend a lot of time reading and writing.
We use the Spaulding program to teach the sounds and letters. Each child moves through the process at his own pace. For example, one child might be working on "m" and "c," while another child is working on "mop" and "cop."
We also emphasize sight words - the words children memorize because they see them so often, such as Mom, love, and the. The children enjoy pointing out their sight words whenever they see them: in a book, on a sign, even in a recipe.
To practice reading words, sentences, and paragraphs, we use Reading A to Z. Our Kindergarten children also read selections from the Harcourt Trophy program. We work on decoding (breaking words down), fluency (speed and comfort) and comprehension (understanding). We also study genres, themes, and story development.
We also love writing. Children love to depict stories with squiggles, then pictures, then letters, then words, then entire sentences. We encourage creative writing through fun, interesting activities.
Our Kindergarten children also learn grammar (capital letters, periods, etc) with a little work each day, or with the Daily 5.
Language is the most important academic component of toddler-hood, preschool, and Kindergarten. The language skills they at these stages stay with them for a lifetime.
We also emphasize sight words - the words children memorize because they see them so often, such as Mom, love, and the. The children enjoy pointing out their sight words whenever they see them: in a book, on a sign, even in a recipe.
To practice reading words, sentences, and paragraphs, we use Reading A to Z. Our Kindergarten children also read selections from the Harcourt Trophy program. We work on decoding (breaking words down), fluency (speed and comfort) and comprehension (understanding). We also study genres, themes, and story development.
We also love writing. Children love to depict stories with squiggles, then pictures, then letters, then words, then entire sentences. We encourage creative writing through fun, interesting activities.
Our Kindergarten children also learn grammar (capital letters, periods, etc) with a little work each day, or with the Daily 5.
Language is the most important academic component of toddler-hood, preschool, and Kindergarten. The language skills they at these stages stay with them for a lifetime.
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Handwriting is fun!
In the beginning, children create straight and curvy lines. Then they write their names and their sight words. Later, they write new words such as "dg." (That means dog.) By the end of Kindergarten, they are writing entire paragraphs. Providing opportunities to write is important. For example, after the exotic animals visited, the younger kids made a poster with the names of their favorite animals, and the older kids wrote comparison/contrast paragraphs.
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At Alpine Academy, we prepare the children for success.
People often ask at what age our students start reading. At the end of preschool, most children can recognize 10 to 30 sight words. They can also sound out simple words. How well children do this depends a bit on the quality of the teacher, a bit on how much small-group time the child gets with his teacher, a bit on how often he practices with his family, and a lot on when he is ready. At Alpine, we give children the chance to sprout any day.
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Listen as little Chloe spells her name!
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