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Our Philosophy

Our philosophy is simple...Kindergarten preparedness is best accomplished by preparing the whole child.  What does this mean? 

 

Our Pre-K students are part of a small community that fosters a loving and caring atmosphere.  Being part of such a community encourages and allows children to develop their own unique gifts, talents and abilities, which in turn helps them to learn to value themselves as well as others. 

 

Pre-Kindergarten at St. Bartholomew School is carefully designed to encourage each child to learn and grow in a developmentally appropriate and nurturing environment. We work closely with each child to encourage a love of learning, self confidence, self-respect, and a sense of community - all vital components of a child’s complete pre-primary experience.  

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Our curriculum focuses on all aspects of their early development, including social, emotional, physical, intellectual, creative and spiritual growth. 

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Social, Emotional & Physical Development

Through developmentally appropriate practices, we help our youngest students learn important skills such as:

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  • getting along with others

  • taking care of oneself

  • sharing

  • listening

  • following directions

  • carrying out responsibilities

  • expressing and coping with feelings in an appropriate manner

  • and developing an interest in the world around them 

 

Children develop their gross motor skills through physical education class and extended outdoor play time or, when weather does not permit, play in our new gymnasium.

Intellectual Development

Our program prepares students to be successful in Kindergarten by teaching literacy, pre-reading, writing, math, and elementary technology skills, all of which help improve self-confidence and increase independence.  

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In order to ease their transition into Kindergarten, our students also learn fine motor skills which will help them with correct formation of letters and numbers and the use of a mouse and keyboard.  Methods of teaching include hands-on activities, demonstrations, dramatic play, music, art, and creative movement.  

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Children benefit from a low teacher to student ratio in key areas of our pre-primary program with our Small Group Rotation method.

  • Language Arts
    Kindergarten Language Arts focuses on teaching children to read and write. More importantly, we focus on promoting a love of reading and of writing. Children utilize multi-sensory and hands-on learning through various learning centers spread throughout the classroom. Multiple learning strategies are used where students work in small groups, pairs, or individually. Texts and Methods: Kindergarten uses the McGraw Hill reading series “ Treasures”. We apply the strategies we are learning during Reader’s Workshop. Students either work in small groups, pairs, or individually. St. Bartholomew uses the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Program for writing skills. This widely used program introduces the correct formation of upper and lower case letters, and helps strengthen handwriting skills generally. Kindergarten utilizes Writer’s Workshop to facilitate learning basics for the the writing process.
  • Math
    In Kinder math we learn by doing! Students explore math concepts learned through Math Workshop using the McGraw Hill math series “My Math.” We relate concepts to a child’s experience through a variety of materials, including manipulatives which include unifix cubes, counters, pattern blocks, shells, graphs, and charts. The concepts that we cover include:​ -Position and Classification -Sort and Graph -Explore Patterns -Explore Numbers to 20 -Measurements, Fractions -Solids, Shapes, and Sorting -Number Sense -Time and Money -Explore Actions with Numbers -Larger Number -Explore Addition and Subtraction
  • Religion
    The Kinder Religion Program is based on developing positive self-concepts through prayer, songs, stories, role playing, and art using the curriculum “ God Loves Us.” Kinders learn about their own God-given gifts, their families, friends, church, and school. They learn about a loving and caring God and develop Christian attitudes of sharing, being kind to and respectful of others, loving, helping, thanking, and celebrating. Kindergarten students attend weekly Mass with the whole school and have special sixth grade Mass buddies who sit with them to help them engage in the process.
  • Science
    Kindergarten Science focuses on providing an environment where children find a love for science and the natural world around them. Topics that are covered include: -The Five Senses -Ways to Keep My Body Healthy -Pets -Characteristics of objects -Exploring Forces of Moving Objects -Observing the Growth of Plants -Identifying Living and Non-Living Things Students engage in various learning methods, including experiments and projects that include observation and discussion. Students lessons include hands-on activities that are supported with the Nancy Larson Science Program. This wonderfully structured program provides a good balance between "reading to learn" and hands-on activities.
  • Social Studies
    Kindergarten Social Studies introduces the concept of time and people in our community through various hands-on learning experiences and learning centers. Various social studies topics are studied throughout the school year. Concepts include: -History -Citizenship -Geography -Community Helpers -Culture
  • Spanish
    St. Bartholomew introduces foreign language in Kindergarten to the general curriculum. Our dedicated Spanish teacher coordinates with the Kindergarten class so that instruction is paired and reinforces their general curriculum. Our program exposes Kindergarten students to introductory vocabulary with cross curricular connections to what they are learning in science, language arts, social studies and religion. Spanish Learning at this level includes: -Introductory Vocabulary -Basic Greetings -Colors -Numbers -Parts of the Body -Family -The Alphabet in Spanish
  • Technology
    St. Bartholomew School focuses on making sure that its students are both familiar with current technology, and able to use it safely and appropriately. This learning begins at the earliest ages. Kindergarten students use the computer lab, and with the help of our technology teacher, and are taught Internet Safety, mouse control, and how to find numbers and letters on the keyboard. Our technology classes utilize various educational software packages in cross curricular connections to reinforce skills and concepts that are being learned in the classroom each week in various subjects.
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Stacking Pieces

Creative and Spiritual Development

St. Bartholomew School believes that fostering spiritual growth and encouraging creativity is critical in developing a healthy and whole child.  Children in our program benefit from the many resources already available at our grade school, including a new gymnasium, an art and music department, a warm and inviting library,  weekly Mass, and instruction about how God is part of their lives.

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  • Language Arts
    Kindergarten Language Arts focuses on teaching children to read and write. More importantly, we focus on promoting a love of reading and of writing. Children utilize multi-sensory and hands-on learning through various learning centers spread throughout the classroom. Multiple learning strategies are used where students work in small groups, pairs, or individually. Texts and Methods: Kindergarten uses the McGraw Hill reading series “ Treasures”. We apply the strategies we are learning during Reader’s Workshop. Students either work in small groups, pairs, or individually. St. Bartholomew uses the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Program for writing skills. This widely used program introduces the correct formation of upper and lower case letters, and helps strengthen handwriting skills generally. Kindergarten utilizes Writer’s Workshop to facilitate learning basics for the the writing process.
  • Math
    In Kinder math we learn by doing! Students explore math concepts learned through Math Workshop using the McGraw Hill math series “My Math.” We relate concepts to a child’s experience through a variety of materials, including manipulatives which include unifix cubes, counters, pattern blocks, shells, graphs, and charts. The concepts that we cover include:​ -Position and Classification -Sort and Graph -Explore Patterns -Explore Numbers to 20 -Measurements, Fractions -Solids, Shapes, and Sorting -Number Sense -Time and Money -Explore Actions with Numbers -Larger Number -Explore Addition and Subtraction
  • Religion
    The Kinder Religion Program is based on developing positive self-concepts through prayer, songs, stories, role playing, and art using the curriculum “ God Loves Us.” Kinders learn about their own God-given gifts, their families, friends, church, and school. They learn about a loving and caring God and develop Christian attitudes of sharing, being kind to and respectful of others, loving, helping, thanking, and celebrating. Kindergarten students attend weekly Mass with the whole school and have special sixth grade Mass buddies who sit with them to help them engage in the process.
  • Science
    Kindergarten Science focuses on providing an environment where children find a love for science and the natural world around them. Topics that are covered include: -The Five Senses -Ways to Keep My Body Healthy -Pets -Characteristics of objects -Exploring Forces of Moving Objects -Observing the Growth of Plants -Identifying Living and Non-Living Things Students engage in various learning methods, including experiments and projects that include observation and discussion. Students lessons include hands-on activities that are supported with the Nancy Larson Science Program. This wonderfully structured program provides a good balance between "reading to learn" and hands-on activities.
  • Social Studies
    Kindergarten Social Studies introduces the concept of time and people in our community through various hands-on learning experiences and learning centers. Various social studies topics are studied throughout the school year. Concepts include: -History -Citizenship -Geography -Community Helpers -Culture
  • Spanish
    St. Bartholomew introduces foreign language in Kindergarten to the general curriculum. Our dedicated Spanish teacher coordinates with the Kindergarten class so that instruction is paired and reinforces their general curriculum. Our program exposes Kindergarten students to introductory vocabulary with cross curricular connections to what they are learning in science, language arts, social studies and religion. Spanish Learning at this level includes: -Introductory Vocabulary -Basic Greetings -Colors -Numbers -Parts of the Body -Family -The Alphabet in Spanish
  • Technology
    St. Bartholomew School focuses on making sure that its students are both familiar with current technology, and able to use it safely and appropriately. This learning begins at the earliest ages. Kindergarten students use the computer lab, and with the help of our technology teacher, and are taught Internet Safety, mouse control, and how to find numbers and letters on the keyboard. Our technology classes utilize various educational software packages in cross curricular connections to reinforce skills and concepts that are being learned in the classroom each week in various subjects.
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