| Everything you need
to know about kindergarten at Pinecrest School
Van Nuys |
 Class
Placement
Students in kindergarten are grouped
homogeneously according to the number of sounds
and letters they know and recognize as well as
their ability to count and their knowledge of shapes
and colors.
Reading/Language
Arts:
 Those students who recognize and know
most letters and sounds begin reading using phonics
and whole language. Our reading series is published
by MacMillan which is core literature based. Core
literature is a program where literature is the main
focus and all other subjects are interrelated.
Those students who do not recognize all
sounds and letters as well as numbers through 100
are taught just that in preparation to learn to read
at a latter time during the year. It is our goal
for all kindergartners to finish the three kindergarten
readers in the MacMillan series.
Our teachers use many hands on learning
methods to teach the students reading, language,
art, science, and health. Projects are all created
to develop the students cognitive skills in reading
and language. Field trips enhance this portion
of the curriculum.
Mathematics:
 The
goals in mathematics for the kindergarten student
include counting and writing numerals 0-100, adding
sums from 0-10, and subtracting differences from
0-10. The students are given a basic introduction
to concepts including: money, time, place value,
measurement, fractions, and problem solving. Students
are taught with visual, audio, and "hands on" approaches
in order to meet the needs of each student. Addition
and subtraction are introduced through a system called "touch
points." This method is quick and effective
in calculating operations without the use of fingers.
Handwriting:
When we teach kindergartens to write,
the goal is to achieve fluent, legible writing. We
begin by having them trace circles and lines. This
helps children develop visual perception, size discrimination,
numerical and letter formation. We try to make
learning fun by incorporating games, activities,
and art projects as well. Practice three to
four times a week is important because it strengthens
eye and hand coordination.
Social
Studies:
 Our social studies program in kindergarten
is conducted through discussions, worksheet activities,
field trips, and guest speakers. By means of these
activities, your child will become more aware of
himself or herself and the world around us. We
discuss how people learn, communicate, change, and
interact with other people.
Science
and Health:
Our science program covers plants, animals,
space, seasons, weather, and an
awareness of the environment around us. We explore
these science areas with outdoor and indoor experiments,
observations, hands on activities, and discoveries. We
discover how our five senses help us learn, how people
have a variety of feelings, and how we change and
grow.
Our health program teaches students about
their bodies, senses, healthful habits, growth, and
our feelings. This core content area allows
us to bring in special guest speakers, play unique
games, engage in cooking projects, art projects,
and use videos to reinforce ideas and goals.
Discipline:
The kindergarten program at Pinecrest
uses an assertive discipline approach. Our goal
is to strengthen each and every student's self esteem.
Teachers seek to provide interesting lessons that
include class participation and involvement, hoping
to deter desires for misconduct. Positive programs
including "Go For Green" and "Warm
Fuzzies" award students for good conduct. However,
when unacceptable behavior causes harm or disturbance
to the students and their learning environment a "time-out" is
issued. When this behavior continues the parent
or parents are notified and parents are called in
for a conference.
Activities:
 As
well as providing a strong academic curriculum, the
Pinecrest kindergarten program has many seasonal
activities and events. Some of these events
are the school's annual Halloween Parade, Thanksgiving
Kinderfeast, Holiday Show, Spring Carnival, Easter
Egg Hunt, and the end of the year Luau Celebration. We
also have special days such as Teddy Bear Day, a
100th Day of School Celebration, and class parties.
We try to integrate these events into our academic
lessons such as doing a science unit on rabbits during
Easter time.
Cross-Age
Tutoring:
Cross-age tutoring is a time when the
kindergartners get to meet with their 5th/6th grade "buddies." We
meet with our "buddies" twice a month and
do fun and exciting activities together. Sometimes
our "buddies" might help us with an art
project, a special game, or even a party. It is nice
to see our "buddies" around school and
we enjoy having "big" friends.
Extra
Curricular Activities:
 In addition to the regular school curriculum,
Pinecrest offers the childrenSpanish, library, computer,
and music once a week scheduled within the week's
activities. Physical education is taught daily
at 11:00 a.m. During P.E. manipulative skills
and sportsmanship are emphasized. Spanish is
taught once a week.
Before
and After School Activities & Care:
Before and after school care is available
from 6:30 A.M. until 8:30 A.M. and from 3:00 P.M.
until 6:00 P.M. We do have art classes available
after school for an additional fee. Gymnastics
is also offered after school as yet another option
for your children.
Field
Trips:
Field trips are scheduled for kindergartners
each month. Field trips enhance the students' learning
in the classroom and expose children to new and exciting
places. Several children's plays, Green Meadows
Farm, museums, conservation stations such as the
Tree People are visited during the year by our students.
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