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Why Kindergarten at Friends Academy?

Kindergarten is a time of enormous growth, when children are eager to learn and make connections. Friends Academy creates a positive foundation for the years of schooling that lie ahead, whether students rise up from the Farmhouse or are starting their first year here. By nurturing their natural interests, curiosity, and creativity, children in Kindergarten begin to see themselves as capable learners and build their confidence as members of a community.

Through a hands-on curriculum in literacy and math, students start to string together letters, identify words, and put meaning to numbers. But they don’t simply memorize the information – they take ownership of their learning, demonstrate it to others, and make connections between subjects.

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    Slide 1: Writing prompts, such as Weekend News each Monday morning, teach Kindergarten students how to communicate on paper. At the beginning of the year, this often looks mostly like drawings.
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    Slide 2: With one-on-one support from their teacher, students’ writing progresses to include phonetically spelled words, sight words, and basic punctuation.

Kindergarten at Friends Academy fosters the development of strong social and emotional skills – which we consider just as important as teaching young students how to read and write. Those vital “people skills” include empathy, friendship, communication, self-expression, conflict resolution, taking a friend’s perspective, and more. The majority are practiced and strengthened through play, which is why free play (both indoors and outdoors) is an integral part of each day in Kindergarten.

Building students’ independence is also woven into every activity: from putting away their own belongings when they arrive in the morning to selecting an Academic Choice activity to close out their afternoon. Additionally, Kindergartners are taught the expectation of quality work and the value of giving their full effort. As a result, Kindergarten students soon begin to think, speak, and solve problems for themselves, which is key preparation for first grade and beyond.

“Our child is thriving here and learning so quickly — it’s incredible to see how much progress he’s made since starting Kindergarten. It’s clear that the teachers genuinely care about the kids and are dedicated to helping them succeed.”

– Parent of a Kindergarten student

Features of the Kindergarten Experience

  • Introduction to Traditional Classroom Learning

    For some Kindergarteners, it is their first time in a classroom. Kindergarten at Friends provides a structured schedule while also leaving plenty of space for flexibility and fun.

  • A Kindergarten student at Friends Academy in Dartmouth, MA practices reading the morning message.

    Daily Literacy and Math

    The academic curriculum engages Kindergarten students each day in learning about phonics, numbers, and handwriting through hands-on activities and teacher-led lessons.

  • Four Kindergarten students at Friends Academy in Dartmouth, MA play together on the playground.

    Learning Through Play

    Children best strengthen their “people skills” (such as empathy, communication, and conflict resolution) through play. That’s why free play and a long outdoor recess are integral parts of every Kindergarten day.

  • Academic Choice

    Each afternoon, students work independently on academic activities of their choice to reinforce lessons. At the same time, the teacher works one-on-one with students to review and strengthen skills.

  • Early Literacy Screenings

    All Kindergarten and first grade students are screened for early signs of reading difficulties, which gives them a head start with literacy support. Some students ultimately transition into the Sally Borden Program.

Start Your Child’s School Journey in Kindergarten at Friends Academy

Submit an inquiry or begin an application for your child today. Students must be five years old by Sept. 1 to start Kindergarten.

Get Started Now

Meet the Kindergarten Team

The Kindergarten team at Friends Academy includes classroom teachers, specialists, and administrators. They work together to get to know each child personally and create a comprehensive, interdisciplinary education.

Kindergarten Curriculum

Each week, the Kindergarten teacher sends out a newsletter to families with photos and updates about what students learned. (See a sample newsletter.)

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Language Arts (Reading and Writing)

  • Detailed focus on each letter’s shape and pronunciation before moving on to sight/CVC words
  • Emphasis on helping students expand their thoughts and write fuller, more descriptive sentences
  • Orton-Gillingham literacy approach teaches students how to apply their knowledge of phonetic sounds
  • Learning Without Tears used to teach letter formation
  • Digital tools (e.g., Lexia) supplement class lessons
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Mathematics

    • Understanding numbers 0-20
    • Learning different strategies for addition and subtraction
    • Introduction to the calendar and the concept of time
    • Exploring two- and three-dimensional shapes
    • Experimenting with measurement using nonstandard tools (such as blocks)
    • View the full Illustrative Mathematics Kindergarten Curriculum

 

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Social Studies

  • Develop a foundational understanding of identity
  • Begin to understand the responsibilities of living in community and citizenship
  • Learn to celebrate their peers as individuals and community members
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Science

  • Explore different branches of science and how they help us to understand the world around us
  • Investigate the needs of plants and animals, using the Friends Academy campus
  • Raise questions and investigate the differences between states of matter (liquids, solids, and gases)
  • Learn about forces by comparing push and pull and the effect on the motion of an object
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Physical Education

  • Promote physical activity and the benefits of healthy living
  • Develop movement skills – including locomotor movements, ball manipulative skills, and dance/gymnastics – and understand when to apply skills in game play
  • Practice life skills such as teamwork, cooperation, respect, taking turns, following directions, and communicating with peers
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Art

  • Identify the basic elements of art (such as lines, colors, shapes, and textures) in two- and three-dimensional forms
  • Explore artistic methods and materials (including drawing, painting, clay, textiles, printmaking, and construction) to communicate ideas, express emotions, and make connections to the natural world around them
  • Discuss, plan, and brainstorm ideas; demonstrate effort and progress; and share thoughts and listen respectfully
  • Maintain proper care of tools and materials
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Music

  • Develop a foundation in music through singing, listening, chants, movement, and improvisation
  • Learn about musical traditions of the world and the role of music in various holidays and cultures
  • Begin to introduce musical notation through rhythms
  • Identify characteristics of music by ear
  • Develop singing skills such as pitch matching, melody, and round singing
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Library

  • Instill basic concepts of being a good library citizen, including appropriate library behavior, sharing materials, and borrowing and returning books
  • Help students get to know themselves as readers by exposing them to many different books and authors
  • Learn what research is and how to use print and electronic resources to do research