Kindergarten (5 year olds)
Kindergarten at Caedmon serves as a transition from our Early Program into our Elementary Program. For this reason, while most of the Caedmon Program combines two age groups in one classroom, Kindergarten does not. The daily schedule in Kindergarten is divided between open-ended activities, reminiscent of Early Program, and the directed group instruction that is typical from first grade onward. The children learn to complete assigned tasks within a specific time frame, while enjoying the creative play and exploration that are such important parts of the natural learning process at this age. Important skills such as listening, expressing themselves, working independently, and behaving responsibly are continuously reinforced.
With great flexibility, teachers are able to tailor their instruction to the individual learning styles and levels of each child. In language arts there is a deliberate emphasis on the teaching of reading and writing, while in math the primary goal is to understand number concepts and introduce the enjoyment of problem solving. In social studies, the theme of "All About Me" plants the seed of social awareness, by teaching the children about themselves in relation to their families. As with other classes in the Elementary Program, the classroom teachers maintain close communication with the specialist teachers to ensure continuity and connections among the various classes.
