Kindergarten at Hausner

The Phonics Workshop (Orton Gillingham and Handwriting Without Tears) is used to teach letter and sound correspondence as well as letter formation. Students learn foundational skills such as decoding, blending, and isolating letter sounds. In conjunction with Phonics, students learn proper letter formation for lowercase and uppercase letters. Reading Workshop (Heinemann and Teachers’ College) units include: We are Readers, Super Powers, Bigger Books, Bigger Reading Muscles, and Becoming Avid Readers. Reading books, telling stories and drama are all part of the learning. Students learn to be independent writers using Writing Workshop (Heinemann and Teachers’ College) units include: Launching the Writing Workshop (narrative), How-to Books (informative) and Persuasive Writing of All Kinds (opinion).

Math in Focus helps begin explorations that lay a foundation for more advanced mathematical development. Identifying numbers and continuing with concepts such as greater and less than, length and height and math story problems are part of the program. Students skip count and learn to identify and write numbers to 100. They learn to make a mathematical connection from concrete to the abstract.

NGSS aligned Mystery Science units include: Plant & Animal Secrets (plant and animal needs), Wild Weather (severe weather), Circle of Seasons (weather patterns), Sunny Skies (sunlight and warmth), Force Olympics (pushes and pulls).

We look at celebrations and how we mark Thanksgiving, Memorial Day and all Jewish holidays. We bring to life the teachings of Gideon Hausner, Martin Luther King, Jr. and others through literature, drama and conversation. We also examine current events in an age appropriate manner and keep the focus of our conversation and actions toward kindness, creating a caring and thoughtful community.

Technology is approached as an integrated subject within the full curriculum. Students learn to take pictures and videos integrated into the curriculum. RAZ Kids and BrainPOP Jr. are used to supplement the curriculum. Students learn hands-free programming with KIBO robots, Bee-bots and coding applications.

Students create Ir Shalom (City of Peace) by looking outside the greater community. Over a period of 3 months, this experience takes students through the creation and development of a Jewish City of Peace. Guest speakers share their expertise with students about the infrastructure and social support systems needed in a city; the implications of architectural style; the design of a city and the consideration of electric vehicles. People who hold professional positions in the Jewish community are invited to explain their role and relevance of their organization in a Jewish city. Students build buildings and vehicles as the city comes to life. Finally, the city opens and students “inhabit and live their plan.”