Kindergarten Curriculum

In Kindergarten, teachers use the EnVision Mathematics textbook to support the classroom curriculum, which gives students an early foundation for beginning math skills. The clear step-by-step instruction supports student comprehension and skill development. Each lesson is customized to match student abilities. In this program, students build on their foundational number sense and math skills by using manipulatives and exploring a variety of mathematical concepts and activities.

Students in Kindergarten are natural observers of the world around them. The Kindergarten science curriculum is designed to help students understand that when they observe, they are acting as scientists. We lay a foundation for the study of science by introducing the basic scientific processes: observing, comparing, classifying, measuring, and communicating. Students become observers and record keepers, and are given the opportunity to look at the world around them through this new lens. Through the hands-on curriculum, students engage in the five E’s science instructional model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate.)

Students in Kindergarten begin the year learning about themselves and their families to lay the foundation for exploring the world around them. This class also represents a time for students to think about their place within the classroom and school community, and to learn about the needs and desires of others. Branching out from the classroom community, students expand their focus, and begin to discover the school community, as well as the larger Hoboken community.

Kindergarten Students partake in several co-curricular activities such as music, dance, and world language. Please see our Beyond Core Academics page.

While in Kindergarten, students have the opportunity to transform from urbanites to farmers! Throughout the year, the students study a variety of farm animals as well as the importance of farming.

As part of this study, the students learn about all aspects of the farm and take various field trips to support their studies. Early in the year, the class gets a close-up look at a real farm when then travel to a pumpkin patch. On this exciting field trip, students are able to see a variety of crops and animals, enjoy a hay ride and pick their own pumpkins. As the year continues, the Kindergarten students discuss the different jobs required on the farm and the role that farms play in society. The class takes a walking trip to a local grocery store that carries a large variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. From this experience, students gain a better understanding of where produce is sent and sold after it leaves the farm. This provides an interesting link between farm life and the urban life with which the students are familiar.

The classroom comes alive when the dramatic play area is transformed into a farm! Students are able to engage in imaginative play using plastic farm tools, farm animals, and a variety of plastic fruits and vegetables. The doll house is replaced by a barn, complete with animals and props. The students also have the opportunity to work on a live class garden and read farm-themed books throughout the year.

In advance of Farm Day, the students conduct a more detailed study of farm animals while also honing their technology skills. Each student is assigned one animal to research using the internet, books, and other resources. Once their research is complete, each student creates a poster about his or her animal. These posters are used as information boards during Farm Day.

The year-long study culminates in Farm Day, which occurs during Week of the Young Child in the spring. The Kindergarteners act as hosts for the event and have many jobs to ensure the day runs smoothly. They create and collect tickets, stamp the hands of visitors, help care for the visiting animals, create information boards, and conduct tours for their visitors. Kindergarten students are excited to share their knowledge of farm life with their teachers and peers.