Overview
Transitional kindergarten is a year in which students can develop both academic and social skills as they prepare for kindergarten. Though they are young, students are encouraged to see that they have valuable contributions to make as authors, scientists, problem-solvers, and members of the community. Young children learn best through play, so each day I make time to create, move, sing, discuss, observe, read, and of course – play! I want to utilize their natural sense of wonder and love of learning to fall in love with school, as for most students this is their first experience on a multiage school campus. Students in TK will be exposed to engaging experiences and individual support as they develop their cognitive, emotional, and physical skills. A classroom filled with hands-on, play-based learning in a caring social environment will help your child lay a strong foundation for becoming a life-long learner and long-term academic success.
Developmental Level
Relationships are central to the TK classroom. Through our staff and a close partnership with your family, I want students to build upon their ability to engage in positive relationships with adults and other children. During the course of the school year, I will get to know your child very well. I look forward to using this understanding of your child’s unique personality, interests, abilities, and strengths to better support learning and development.
Students at this age are developing self-awareness, so I seek to help them feel competent and confident as learners. They are also learning about social interactions. In my classroom students will develop the vocabulary and skills to engage in positive relationships with adults and peers, understand their roles and responsibilities when being a part of a learning community, and how to communicate assertively with others.
We will also have an ample amount of time for free play in the afternoons. During this time the kindergarten students will join us to help mentor your child as they navigate social situations and develop multiage friendships.
Curriculum
I base my curriculum on the California Preschool Network’s Foundations and Curriculum Framework. Through a balance of child-initiated and teacher-guided activities, children’s hearts and minds are engaged in playful learning experiences.
Students learn language arts and math skills both in large group lessons and individual groups related to their L+1 levels. In science we learn to use our senses to become investigators, then apply those skills to learning about our different classroom pets and the nearby McKinley pond. We also learn to use scientific reasoning to solve problems through STEAM challenges, which are frequently integrated with our language arts stories.
Students take a virtual trip around the world, learning about nine different countries. They learn about each country’s art, music, language, architecture, literature, games, etc. At the end of each month we celebrate by having a feast that features the country’s cuisine. For example, when studying Italy we will paint under our tables like Michelangelo, sing opera, count in Italian, build leaning towers, learn Italian folktales, ride imaginary gondolas through canals in Venice, have a TK fashion show with a runway and paparazzi, and set up a pizza restaurant.
I have participated in performing arts for most of my life through orchestra, band, choir, musical theater, opera, ballet, and drama. I am also passionate about visual arts and frequently visit our area’s museums. I bring my passion for the arts into the classroom. I am even known to randomly break into song, as though I am living in a movie musical! I hope you enjoy the many pieces your child will create and the exciting performances that we stage.
Field Trips
TK students love to engage with the world outside our classroom. Some of the places we visit are:
- Fog Willow’s pumpkin patch
- Seaquest
- B Street Theater
- Sacramento Children’s Museum
- McKinley Park