Kindergarten
St. Mark’s full day kindergarten is designed for children who are 5 years old by September 1st. The day begins at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m.
The full day model allows children time as they transition into a more structured learning environment, and gives the students opportunities to explore the fine arts.
Our nurturing and supportive environment promotes responsibility, decision making, problem solving skills, strong work habits, and cooperative social behavior.
Language Arts: Language Arts uses the Houghton Mifflin Reading program, which lays the foundation for reading success. Scientifically researched, this method meets the individual needs of the students, providing a strong foundation in phonics, sight word recognition, comprehension, and language development. Target skills include phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency. The road to becoming a writer is through a developmental approach to handwriting and by “experience journaling,” a dynamic writing process that reflects the student’s continual growth and progress. Students continue with Handwriting Without Tears, a program specifically developed by an occupational therapist. It uses fun, multi-sensory, and research-based methods to develop skills and teach correct letter formation.
Math: Singapore Math begins as the children experience math “thinking” with the Singapore Early Bird Mathematics program. Kindergarten children experience systematic, engaging, and fun daily experiences with counting, number bonds, and measurement, shapes, comparisons, subtraction, addition, time, money, and numbers to 100.
Science lessons are integrated into in-depth units during the year including: mammals, space, insects, weather, seasons, rocks, and minerals to name a few. Click here to read about kindergarten seedlings being planted in Jacksonville’s community gardens.
Social Studies lessons are opening up the world to the students. Kindergarteners are traveling around the world as they learn about countries, continents, and cultures.
Spanish: Kindergarten students will have Spanish instruction in their classroom by Sra. Gretell Garces. Their fun and interactive lessons introduce common vocabulary and an exposure to the Spanish culture. The classes are spoken only in Spanish.
Service Learning: Click here to read about Kindergarten service learning.
Resources: Children in Kindergarten attend resource classes in Christian Education, art, music, Spanish, library, physical education, and computer.
Click here for more curriculum information for 12-13
A highlight of the Kindergarten year is the annual Kindergarten Thanksgiving Program. Our little Pilgrims, Indians, and Turkeys sing and recite poems to the whole school’s delight!
