CURRICULUM
Good Shepherd
School provides a rich array of
subjects and curriculum for the
kindergarten students.
The classroom teacher plans
and teaches Language Arts, Math,
Science, Social Studies, Art, and
Character Development. Teaching and
modeling Catholic Values and
Self-Esteem Development are evident
in the classroom throughout the day.
An hour of Language Arts each day
includes: reading, handwriting,
writing, and a wealth of
children’s literature presented to
the class. MCGRAW HILL math
workbooks are used. There is an
abundance of math manipulatives for
the children to explore. Weekly
themes are chosen by the teacher and
are woven throughout the curriculum.
For example, one of the first themes
in the fall will be “apples”.
Fiction and non-fiction books will
be read about apples in Language
Arts. The children will do some of
their first writing about apples.
For Math they will make apple
graphs, count apples, make apple
patterns etc. The class will study
life on the apple farm for Social
Science, and make applesauce
(measuring) for science. Apple
prints will be created and displayed
for Art. Even songs about apples
will be sung. The teacher will also
plan field trips a few times during
the school year.
Besides the
classroom teacher, the kindergarten
students will have teachers for
Religion, Computer, Spanish,
Library, Music, and P.E.
PURPOSE
The staff of
Good Shepherd School provides a full
day kindergarten class for young
students that will pave the way for
success in all their school years
ahead. We hope to nurture a love of
learning and a core of Catholic
values that will serve each child
throughout life. We hope that each
day will be filled with surprises,
challenges, excitement, and new
experiences. We also strive to build
each child’s sense of self-worth
and a strong self-esteem. The
potential for these children to
change the world is awesome. We hope
to be a part of launching these
young folks into a future beyond our
wildest dreams.
METHODS
The teacher’s
objective is to create a safe, warm,
welcoming environment for students
to grow at their own pace. Students
are taught at the beginning of the
year how to take responsibility for
themselves, others, and things. The
morning consists of structured
activities which are sometimes
conducted in a whole group lesson
setting, and other times in a
rotational center setting. Adult
volunteers are recruited for the
center activities. Afternoons will
include non-directed choice
activities where the children may
explore art material, manipulatives,
tubs, writing materials, a listening
area, library, housekeeping area,
puppet theater, and more. Choice
will often include activities
centering around the weekly theme.
See also: Admissions, Academics and Tuition
