| In Pre-K and Kindergarten, children learn to read, write, better understand one another, and develop the independence to accomplish tasks that would have been unheard of in any school five years ago.
Five years ago, educators didn’t think Kindergarten children could read with an understanding that matched that of children much older! Kindergarten children at Staten Island Academy can accomplish all of the above. They can share textual inferences and, based on past experiences with genre and author, can thoughtfully predict the next plot move. They listen to one another, respond, and debate and disagree with one another, all with the sophistication and respect of children much older. Our five-year-old children can write a personal narrative, put together an instructional guide, write a thank you letter, and craft an informational piece about mammals.
Social Studies
In Pre-K, children study “My Family” and “My Physical World,” focusing on family, community, and transportation around a city. Kindergarten children study the Brooklyn Bridge, build the bridge, walk over the bridge with their families and write stories about the bridge. Recently, the Kindergarten launched a study of bread, learning that bread tastes a particular way and uses specific ingredients based on cultural traditions and environment. As the children work their way through the Lower School, the studies expand geographically and historically.
Language Arts and Reading
The language arts learning process begins in Pre-K, where the youngest students are exposed to a variety of written materials. Print-rich classrooms help the students develop a curiosity about letters, words and phrases. They begin to construct an understanding of how reading happens. Students learn to recognize lower and uppercase letters, write the alphabet, and identify the variety of sounds.
Writing
The children participate in daily reading and writing workshops. Kindergarten children publish several forms of writing during the year, ranging from a short personal narrative to an instructional guide. Multiple strategies are used throughout the program to build confidence and comfort as children move from letters to literature, all with one goal in mind: to become avid readers and writers!
Math and Numbers
From their earliest days at the Academy, students in Pre-K and Kindergarten develop familiarity and dexterity with numbers, learning how to count to 20 and beginning to work with money and computation, length, capacity, volume, weight, and geometry. They are exposed to the earliest forms of mathematical concepts in their daily work with numbers, shapes, and patterns, first understanding math from the fingers on their hands to the objects in the room.
Computers
Beginning in Pre-K, students become familiar with the computer and the keyboard, building an appreciation for technology as a learning tool and as a rich medium for expression. Each classroom is equipped with the latest computer hardware and software.
Library
Each class in Pre-K and Kindergarten meets for a formal class period once a week with the librarian to explore books and resources. The library houses over 16,000 volumes, as well as computer facilities and wireless laptops.
Additional Special Units
In addition, the Pre-K and Kindergarten curriculum includes “specials” -- visits with specialized teachers in science, art, dance, music, and physical education.
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