The Avalon School: Kindergarten
Students in the primary school are introduced to nature, literature, drawing and sports by teachers serving as enthusiastic role models who are well-versed in the rich heritage of the humanities. The traditional rigors of mathematics and grammar form the counterbalance to varied and frequent adventure trips that afford small classes an opportunity to explore their world.
"How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!"
from "The Swing" by Robert Louis Stevenson
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!"
from "The Swing" by Robert Louis Stevenson
Curriculum
Religion
We learn and pray daily prayer, celebrate holy days and liturgical feasts, sing hymns (some in Latin), and learn stories from Scripture and the lives of the Saints. In all things, but especially through our religion program, we hope to form boys into men who will make a more human, more vital society. On Fridays, kindergarteners are invited to partake in special Catechesis of the Good Shepherd programming. Learn more about it here: CGS Students are taught the basic prayers, the various articles of the Apostle’s Creed, major stories from the Old and New Testaments, and lives of selected saints. Mathematics
The Avalon School has adopted the Saxon Mathematics series for our math program. Using manipulative and short worksheets, students will learn to write numerals, count to 100, recognize numbers 1-30, count by 10's, 5's, and 2's, perform simple addition, add doubles, count money, tell time, understand large numbers and perform simple subtraction. The learning is incremental with continual review. The classes will be supplemented with math puzzles and games, and various mental math exercises. History
Kindergarten covers World Geography, Native Americans and the pioneers, which are covered through stories, biographies, maps, coloring pages, and various hands-on activities and crafts. Physical Education
Daily physical education for students in grades K-8 allows them to test their physical limits and to test each other. The Avalon School exposes boys to the regular passel of sports that are commonly played, helping them to develop the skills necessary to compete capably, and encouraging the boys to use their imagination and innate competitiveness to develop games of their own. |
Natural History
Science is a hands-on subject. Boys will be encouraged to catch insects, frogs, turtles, snakes and other small animals (little brothers and sisters excluded). By the time they are in the third grade, we expect them to be able to identify over 30 birds, over 20 trees, and other wildlife. Rocks, fossils and artifacts will be observed, classified, and collected. Peterson, Stokes, and the Golden Field Guides will be the students' guides and Anna Botsford Comstock's great opus, Handbook of Nature Study, is the teacher's guide.* In Kindergarten, students study weather, plants, and animal classification. They participate in daily nature outings, short hikes, and creek exploration in the neighboring 20+ acre park. Poetry
The reading, memorization and recitation of great poetry is an essential part of the Avalon curriculum and experience and comprises a part of the English literature course offerings. Each grade memorizes and recites a number of poems throughout the year. In addition, the competitive recitation of poetry by House representatives is a staple of festival day celebrations. Poet Laureate Contests are held for the Lower and Middle schools each spring. In Kindergarten, student practice nursery rhymes and simple poems, memorizing and reciting them out loud. Reading/Phonics/Writing
In grades K-2, students work on spelling, grammar, phonics, reading and writing. Students will also listen to stories read aloud from the teacher. Reading is done everyday using classic stories written in beautiful and age-appropriate prose. Phonics worksheets and drills are taught to help kindergarteners begin to read. The focus is on mastery of the alphabet, phonics, blending sounds, and reading simple words and sentences. Texts for Kindergarten: Memoria Press, First Start Reading Program Handwriting without Tears McRuffy Kindergarten SE Phonics Readers Arts & Crafts
Students create simple crafts that are genuinely their own work. |
Hands-on Faith for our Youngest Learners
Avalon introduced the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd into the kindergarten curriculum for the 23–24 school year. This program is the only program in Montgomery County offered kindergarten classes within the school curriculum. Learn more by clicking the buttons below.
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THE DAILY SCHEDULE
8:30-8:40 Arrival in Homeroom
8:40-9:00 Warm up
9:00-10:15 Reading & Handwriting/ Religion
10:15-10:40 Snack & Recess Outside
10:40-12:00 Math & Poetry
History/Science/Geography
12:00-1:00 Lunch/ Outdoor Recess with Lower School
1:00-2:00 Daily Nature Walk and Outdoor Free Play
2:00-2:30 Rest/Quiet Time
2:30-3:15 Parent Activities, Crafts, Games, Songs, and Stories
3:15-3:30 Clean up
3:30 Dismissal
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