We believe in equipping a life with a foundation of faith. At St. John’s Lutheran School, our private kindergarten curriculum is focused on the development of the whole child through a faith-based curriculum. Our classes are taught by caring, loving staff that offer decades of experience in Christian education.
Faith Integration and Character Development
Students attend chapel service each Thursday morning and have Jesus Time the other days of the week. But it doesn’t stop there. Within our curriculum we teach the difference between right and wrong, how to treat our friends and teachers, and how to handle our emotions appropriately. We are teaching students to think and act in accordance to what God tells us to do, no matter what they are learning.
Core Classes
Our private kindergarten offers students daily instruction in each our core subject areas: Religion, reading, writing, math, science/STEM, and social studies. Instruction is provided from a Biblical perspective, drawing meaning for each areas of study from the context of God’s Word.
Curriculum
Weekly Chapel and Daily Religion
This area of curriculum is at the very heart of all we are about at St. John’s. It is our goal that our children will grow up understanding God’s Word, His work in their lives, His redemptive life and work for all mankind, and a continuing maturity of faith. It is also our desire that our students develop a faith life that will not only lead them throughout life, but also instill in them a desire to worship and live their faith according to God’s directive as seen in His Word.
Social and Emotional Health
Students practice listening to others, taking turns, sharing, and cooperating during class activities. We emphasize the following values: fairness, self-control, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Daily Centers
Allow for both individualized, teacher instruction and independent, hands on practice in reading and math
Journal Writing
Daily writing that allow for student creativity while focusing on handwriting, reading, math, and art concepts
Daily Circle Time
Allows for a more intimate learning setting where students do calendar time and story time. Calendar time focuses on number sense and math concepts. Story time is a time where students compare and contrast two different books and work on comprehension and prediction skills while reading a variety of fiction and nonfiction books.
Kinesthetic Learning
Hands on learning is at the center of Kindergarten at St. John’s. Some examples include the use of sand, play dough, shaving cream, and other manipulatives. We balance the day by getting up throughout the day to get the body moving.
Mathematics
Math class meets every day for approximately 30 minutes per day. The curriculum is divided into twelve areas of study. Each area of study is extended with resources for literature and technology as well as Center Time ideas, manipulatives, and ideas for the learning environment.
Reading
Reading is held 5 days per week for 30 minutes per day. There are 6 volumes or themes. Small groups are brought together during Center Time to work on specific individual needs.
Science
Students develop a curiosity and interest in the living world around them through exploration, discovery, and observation. We know that the source of all life is God.
Daily PE, Recess and Free Play
Daily movement is a necessary part of our students’ lives. In order to develop God pleasing life skills and values, there needs to be a balanced learning environment with scheduled time for physical fitness, play, and education.
Small and Large Group Learning
Students utilize small group learning for peer discussions, partner reading, science experiments, math activities, and games.
Technology Integration
Students go to the computer lab 1 time each week for a 30 minute computer class. They also use IXL and Lexia as supplemental programs in math and reading.
Creative Expression through Music
Art is incorporated into theme related projects which occur on a weekly basis. Art materials are also provided daily at the “Creation Station for use during Free Choice Time. o Music is a great gift from God. It brightens our days, fills us with joy, provides avenues for expression, and allows us to worship with greater feeling and emotion.
Specials
We believe in a well-rounded education. To that end, students have recess daily, PE three times a week, and attend art, music, Spanish and computer science twice each week. Additionally, they go to our library once each week. All resource classes are taught by teachers who specialize in their field.
Physical Education
This course teaches basic coordination skills along with an introduction to several athletic sports. We incorporate games to reinforce skills and emphasize the importance of teamwork, striving to do one’s best, and sportsmanship. Physical Education classes meet 3 times a week for 30 minutes each.
Art
Art is used in virtually all subject areas. The course encourages student creativity and self expression through the use of a wide variety of craft projects and an appreciation of the beautiful world around us that the Lord created. Art projects will include an array of media, varying from simple teacher-directed crafts to independent explorations with given materials.
Music
Music has played a significant role in human lives from the days of King David to now. Music reflects cultural backgrounds, social groups, and personal preferences. Through hands-on studies as well as experiences, students will be exposed to varying genres of musical compositions and their composers during their 30-minute Music and Choir classes, which each meet once a week. They will also have the opportunity to demonstrate their acquired skills through church and program performances.
STEM
Students participate in STEM class where they explore the exciting worlds of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics through hands-on projects and collaborative learning. The curriculum encourages curiosity and critical thinking as students engage in activities like building simple machines, conducting experiments, coding, and solving real-world problems. By fostering creativity and teamwork, our STEM program aims to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.
Class Traditions, Field Trips, and Events
Kindergarten is a year to build memories and have fun! Along with centers, story time, daily Move & Groove, and free play, the year is filled with many traditions you and your students will come to love!
- Reading Buddies and Tribes (Chapel Groups)
- Grandparents’ Day
- Singing in the Christmas Service
- Celebrating holiday parties with friends
- National Lutheran Schools Week
- Donuts for Dads and Muffins for Moms
- Spring Musical
- Spring Fine Arts Festival
- All School Field Trip
- Kindergarten Graduation
Each year students participate in several fun and educational field trips that correlate with our curriculum. Some of them include:
- Stages Theater
- Mayer Lutheran during National Lutheran Schools Week
- Minnesota Zoo
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