Our Junior Kindergarten program is a unique program offered at Belle’s and Beau’s Academy. It is specifically designed for those children who have already had at least one year of pre-school but have missed the cutoff date for Kindergarten or have chosen to delay the start of Kindergarten for one year. In this program there is a strong academic emphasis along with continuing to allow the children to learn through play and their environment.
The Junior Kindergarten classroom is a full day program with an academic schedule from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Our teachers use the research based, developmentally appropriate Creative Curriculum program. Creative Curriculum gives teachers specific learning objectives while allowing them the freedom to develop their lesson plans around the current dynamics and interests of their children. Along with Creative Curriculum, the teachers use “Everyday Math”, “Handwriting Without Tears”, and a formal phonics program. These programs are also used in the Cherry Creek School District, which provides a familiarity to the children and a smoother transition to public school. The teachers use these programs to differentiate their lesson plans to meet the varying needs of all of the children in their classroom.
There is a mix of teacher-directed and child-initiated activities throughout the day. There is also a balance of active and quiet play along with a “quiet time” for half an hour in the afternoon. During “quiet time” the children are asked to participate in quiet activities such as individual reading, puzzles, and computer to allow their bodies and brains some down time to relax. Homework is sent home each week pertaining to the letter of the week, sight words, or theme of the week. Homework is not mandatory but is highly encouraged to establish and maintain a home/school connection and continue the child’s education.
9:15 a.m. – Morning Snack – watermelon and water
9:30 a.m. – Handwriting – practice writing upper and lower case letter “S”
10:00 a.m. – Outside Time – use the big parachute and swing on the swings
10:30 a.m. - Morning Art – paint to music and stamp with apples
11:00 a.m. – Open Centers – ooblek in the sensory table, lacing cards, and gears
11:30 a.m. – Lunch – cheese tortellini with marinara sauce, carrot sticks, pineapple, bread, and milk
12:15 p.m. – Quiet Time – individual reading, puzzles, and computer
12:45 p.m. – Journal Writing – “My favorite smell …”
1:00 p.m. – Math & Science – taste test different apples and graph our favorites
1:30 p.m. – Outside Time – jump rope, hula hoops, and hoppers on the patio
2:30 p.m. – Cooking/Afternoon Snack – make applesauce
3:00 p.m. – Afternoon Art – draw examples of our five senses
Please Note:
Times vary by classroom.
Meals and activities change daily.
The Junior Kindergarten classroom is a full day program with an academic schedule from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Our teachers use the research based, developmentally appropriate Creative Curriculum program. Creative Curriculum gives teachers specific learning objectives while allowing them the freedom to develop their lesson plans around the current dynamics and interests of their children. Along with Creative Curriculum, the teachers use “Everyday Math”, “Handwriting Without Tears”, and a formal phonics program. These programs are also used in the Cherry Creek School District, which provides a familiarity to the children and a smoother transition to public school. The teachers use these programs to differentiate their lesson plans to meet the varying needs of all of the children in their classroom.
There is a mix of teacher-directed and child-initiated activities throughout the day. There is also a balance of active and quiet play along with a “quiet time” for half an hour in the afternoon. During “quiet time” the children are asked to participate in quiet activities such as individual reading, puzzles, and computer to allow their bodies and brains some down time to relax. Homework is sent home each week pertaining to the letter of the week, sight words, or theme of the week. Homework is not mandatory but is highly encouraged to establish and maintain a home/school connection and continue the child’s education.
A Sample Day In A Junior Kindergarten Classroom
9:15 a.m. – Morning Snack – watermelon and water
9:30 a.m. – Handwriting – practice writing upper and lower case letter “S”
10:00 a.m. – Outside Time – use the big parachute and swing on the swings
10:30 a.m. - Morning Art – paint to music and stamp with apples
11:00 a.m. – Open Centers – ooblek in the sensory table, lacing cards, and gears
11:30 a.m. – Lunch – cheese tortellini with marinara sauce, carrot sticks, pineapple, bread, and milk
12:15 p.m. – Quiet Time – individual reading, puzzles, and computer
12:45 p.m. – Journal Writing – “My favorite smell …”
1:00 p.m. – Math & Science – taste test different apples and graph our favorites
1:30 p.m. – Outside Time – jump rope, hula hoops, and hoppers on the patio
2:30 p.m. – Cooking/Afternoon Snack – make applesauce
3:00 p.m. – Afternoon Art – draw examples of our five senses
Please Note:
Times vary by classroom.
Meals and activities change daily.