Junior Kindergarten

Exploring the Imagination

“Wish I were still four years old!” is the most often heard comment when visitors peek into our “made-to-order-for-little-ones” Junior Kindergarten room.

Our Junior Kindergarten program is a play-based, developmentally appropriate exploration of the world around us, rooted in a rich, engaging and nurturing environment.

The focus on discovery, high-level thinking, creative problem solving and observation lays the foundation for learning, which is then built upon throughout each grade level at Rossman School.

Our expectations are not focused on a rigid academic ladder of skills or the ability to show mastery in academic areas. Our focus is the joy and playfulness inherent in your child, enriching each child’s learning experience in a physically and emotionally safe environment.

Activities that seem like play are in fact well-planned methods for developing math, reading and social skills.

The chatter and laughter of happy children are proof positive that the right setting and the right guidance make learning pure enjoyment.

Please come into our room and see how we prepare our youngest children for their next big steps.

Teachers
view the faculty page

Christie Castagno
Mary Dryden
Diane Vujnich

Character Development

Introduction of the four Rossman principles — kindness, honesty, respect, responsibility — with special emphasis on respect and kindness.

Reading and Language Arts

• Phonemic awareness
• Handwriting Without Tears handwriting program
• Cooperative books
• Introduction to letter sounds
• Writing Center
• Listening Center
• Library Corner
• Journals

Math

• Pattern
• Sort and Classify
• One-to-one correspondence
• Color and shape
• Number recognition
• Introduction to number formation
• Sequencing and ordinals
• Exposure to "reading" number sentences
• Math Centers

Discovery

• Conservation curriculum used in conjunction with the Pollnow
Nature Trail
• Art appreciation — monthly introduction to a famous artist with corresponding art activity

Social Studies

• Maps and globes locate vacation spots and places in books
read to the class
• Discussing and celebrating holidays of various cultures

Special Projects

The introduction of public speaking begins in Junior Kindergarten using the following activities:

• Cooking
• Fun with Junior, a stuffed animal representing an animal
adopted by the class from the St. Louis Zoo with a diary
• Museum Day
• Mystery Baby
• Mystery Person