Kindergarten

The Kindergarten curriculum draws on varied programs to present a healthy, happy, and exciting environment for a child's first school experience.

Using a thematic approach, children explore a topic with stories and songs, art activities, problem solving and hands-on learning.

Kindergartners will enjoy meeting the bright, lovable characters from the Land of the Letter People who will introduce them to letter symbols and sounds. In conjunction with each letter person, formal handwriting will be taught through the Zaner-Bloser program. This handwriting program will carry them all through Fuller School.

Relying heavily upon manipulatives, kindergartners use concrete experiences to help formulate early math concepts using the program Every Day Math, The Every Day Math program focuses on number recognition, shapes, patterning, graphing, telling time, identifying coins, adding and subtracting. Zero the Hero comes to visit every 10 days. He always brings a counting story and activity.

Children use chants, songs and poems to enhance the literacy program, Houghton Mifflin, as well as charts, big books and class-generated books. Sight words, or "popcorn words", are introduces weekly. The Collins Writing Program introduces them to writing thoughts on paper at this early age. Kinder-spelling is emphasized. This program continues as they move through the grades.

To keep parents informed, a newsletter goes out every week. Parents are encouraged to stay involved with their Kindergartner's Fuller School experience! Home/school communication folders are used daily. Donations of many items (paper goods, snack, etc.) and volunteering are ways to stay involved and are always needed at this grade level. Detailed report cards are given each trimester. Conference are scheduled around each report card trimester break.

During the school year there are many opportunities for family involvement. The Kindergarten Holiday Show is in December, parties/celebrations through the school year and Kindergarten Celebration, which is in June. Fuller School also has events, which are school wide, and lots of fun for all. Watch the fliers and information that comes home. The backpack is always full of the current events at school. One important note is the Fuller Funesta, which is usually in June. This is an event that Kindergartners cannot participate in without individual adult supervision because of the size of the event. Mark your calendars early so that it's not missed.