Zion Lutheran School

Are you looking for quality, caring instruction for your Kindergartner?

Zion Lutheran School would love to serve your needs!

Zion offers parents of kindergarten students the choice of part-time or full-time instruction. Our program starts with a traditional kindergarten curriculum and adds the option of an enriched curriculum for those that are interested. See below for descriptions of both types of curriculum. More questions, please email our principal.

Traditional Kindergarten

The part-time instruction is known as the TRADITIONAL kindergarten program and consists of the exact kindergarten curriculum that we have been using for many years. This program will continue to prepare youngsters for first grade with the same success as we have enjoyed for many years. The most important and key concepts will be learned in this program. The traditional kindergarten will meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 - 3:15.

Enriched Kindergarten

We also offer an ENRICHED kindergarten program on Tuesday and Thursdays. Those students who attend the traditional kindergarten on Monday, Wednesday and, Fridays may also enroll in the Tuesday and Thursday enriched kindergarten experience. The enriched program is not a review of the traditional program, but offers new and additional experiences which the increased time will allow.

Word of God: The Christ-Light Curriculum is used. Old Testament lessons are taught during a school year which begins with an odd-numbered year. New Testament lessons are taught when the school year begins with an even-numbered year. Daily devotions (OT & NT) are presented from Reaching Tender Hearts. Applications to our daily lives are made through Christ-Light lessons and the devotions.

Reading: Beginning to Read, Write and Listen by Scribner-Laidlaw is a series of 24 letterbooks through which children learn the names, sounds, and formation of each letter. They learn how to blend letter sounds into words and learn to read simple stories. Authentic children’s literature is also used to reinforce reading skills.

Language Arts: Children’s literature, poetry, and the children’s own experiences are used to teach language arts and language concepts. Students write experience stories, make journal entries, participate in shared reading, and are guided to make and illustrate story extensions.

Mathematics: Kindergarten Everyday Mathematics from the Everyday Learning Corporation of the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project is the tool through which children are guided to explore the following math concepts: numeration and counting to 100, measurement, time, geometry, relations, attributes, patterns, money, graphing, operations, and problem solving. Parents are encouraged to investigate these strands with their child through enjoyable mathematics-based activities called “home links.”

Science: Five Delta Science modules serve as the foundation for the science program. Many additional resources are used to extend these units of physical, earth, and life science. Children are provided opportunities to investigate water, shadows, space, properties of matter, seeds and plants.

Physical Education: Areas of study include body image, space and direction, balance, basic body movement, symmetrical activities, eye/hand and eye/foot coordination, large and fine muscle development, ball handling and games.

Music: The series titled Sing and Make Music from Northwestern Publishing House is used for music instruction. Pitch, rhythm and movement, timbre, dynamics, and tempo are studied. Children are taught both religious and secular music. The class sings during worship services several times throughout the school year.

Computer: The children use the computer to reinforce and extend learning of concepts in reading, math, language arts, social studies, science, and music. Children practice mouse-handling skills and may be introduced to some basic keyboarding skills.

Word of God: Students will retell Bible lessons taught on Monday and Wednesday. Students may complete correlated lesson activities as suggested in Christ-Light.

Literature-Based Activities: This time will be used to enjoy children’s literature, poetry, and fingerplays. The children will be engaged in literature-based activities.

Mathematics Extensions: Children will have opportunities to solve problems with manipulatives, pattern blocks, geoboards, tangram puzzles, play math games, and explore “everyday mathematics” concepts for kindergartners.

Social Studies: The children will learn about other countries and cultures, historical figures and significant events through children’s literature and videos (fiction and non-fiction selections). Countries to be explored and compared to the United States include Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Russia. Students will learn songs, games, and crafts from each country.

Music: Students will be introduced to keyboard (piano) with Fiedler’s Keyboard For Kids: A Music Curriculum For the Young Beginner In Group Lessons. The first half of Alfred’s Basic Piano Library--Lesson Book 1A will be used to supplement Keyboard For Kids.

Cooking and Nutrition: Students will learn about cooking and nutrition with Chef Combo’s Fantastic Adventures (by National Dairy Council). Recipes from Book Cooks: Literature-Based Classroom Cooking and recipes from The Kindergarten Mailbox will also be used. The children will prepare one or two recipes from each country studied during social studies time.

Center Time: Students will plan their own learning experiences using High Scope plan, do, review method. The Jesus Center, Computer Center, Art Center, Housekeeping Center, Quiet Center, Sand Table, Movement & Music Center, and Building Center will be available for their use.