Kindergarten at SMES is focused on the development of the whole child. Kindergarten has a 1:6 teacher to student ratio with the majority of time spent in small group or one-on-one instruction.
Curriculum is research-based and balanced between the needs of the individual students and the class as a whole each year. The experienced teachers use the Kindergarten TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) as well as the following curriculums & curriculum models to guide their instruction:
- Everyday Mathematics
- Teacher’s College Reading & Writing Project: Reading Workshop & Writing Workshop
- Learning without Tears
- Small group reading instruction
- C R Success (phonics instruction)
Social Emotional Development is at the forefront of all teacher-student interactions. Students learn to work independently and in small groups to accomplish goals fostering self-confidence and an excitement for learning.
The Kimochis Social Emotional Learning program is designed to give children the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to recognize and manage their emotions, demonstrate caring and concern for others, establish positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and handle challenging situations constructively. These skills have been identified by leading researchers in the field of social and emotional learning as necessary for school success, academic achievement, positive social relationships and the development of emotional competence.
Physical Development is an important aspect of early childhood education and the SMES kindergarten program. The class takes two outdoor recesses daily to encourage gross motor development as well as participating in multiple physical enrichment classes. While in the classroom, teachers address fine motor skills, strengthening fingers & hand-eye coordination, through games, manipulatives, the Learning without Tears program, and more.
Service & Community Involvement are woven throughout the kindergarten year: class meetings to discuss & solve classroom issues, hosting a lemonade stand for Canine Companions, collecting canned goods, reading to & supporting younger students at SMES.