P R I V A T E
K I N D E R G A R T E N
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Our ‘open door’ policy means particularly close relationships with parents. You will find a warm welcome at school and plenty of opportunities to meet our staff and share in your child’s progress. 1
Dear Parents, Kindergarten provides students the first experience of their formal education. At Turtle Rock Private Kindergarten, our philosophy places importance in the success of each child’s intellectual, emotional, social and physical well-being. Students are exposed to a wide variety of learning opportunities. Our program provides small group experiences and instruction – with children grouped by specific personal developmental needs, abilities and strengths. During this critical phase of your child’s development, it is important that the school you choose shares that same expansive view. Even at this young age, your child’s Kindergarten experience will shape future learning habits. We are committed to providing a quality, well-rounded program. Children complete this important year engaged in the joy of learning and equipped with confidence, enthusiasm and the skills needed for a positive school experience. Words and pictures can only tell you so much about a school. We welcome you to come and visit us, meet some of our staff and see for yourself what Turtle Rock Private Kindergarten can offer your child. I look forward to meeting you.
Kristen Bold Program Director
A HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE Founded in 1979 - Turtle Rock Preschool, Kindergarten and Academy is a non-sectarian private developmental school for children eight weeks old through kindergarten. Located on nearly one acre, our campus is nestled in the quiet residential village of Turtle Rock, one of the five original “villages” forming Irvine. For over 35 years our Kindergarten program has started children off on a lifetime of learning in a nurturing educational environment where each child feels happy, respected, proud, secure and loved. Ours was the first school in Irvine to attain elite accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Since then we have maintained continuous accreditation by meeting all ten Early Childhood Program Standards – with over 400 individual criteria. NAEYC offers an intensive and thorough accreditation program in which early childhood programs voluntarily undergo a comprehensive process of internal self-study improvement, setting goals, and follow-up – with unique special standards for Kindergarten programs. NAEYC’s main focus is to support and encourage programs in providing high quality, safe and nurturing environments while promoting the individual development of each child.
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CURRICULUM
Our Core Kindergarten program offers students an expanded day of learning that is responsive to their need for content learning, critical thinking, curiosity and discovery, independence, social interaction and movement. The increased number of instructional minutes that kindergartners will receive in our school day provides more learning time as children continue to build a foundation for cognitive development, acquisition of literary and mathematical content, social skills, critical thinking and independence.
LITERACY
WRITING
Literacy is the ability to construct meaning and manipulate the language for a variety of purposes through reading, writing, speaking and listening.
All kindergarten students engage in various writing settings. Methods of writing instruction include: modeled writing, collaborative writing, shared writing, guided writing and independent writing.
Literacy skills are taught in kindergarten through a balanced approach. Our program provides students with a secure foundation to ensure that they emerge as beginning readers and writers. Children are encouraged to demonstrate reading ability when it is developmentally appropriate. Methods of instruction include: reading aloud, shared reading, interactive reading and independent reading. Children will construct and convey meaning supported by a variety of materials and programs. Students will learn to: • • • • • • • •
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Demonstrate phonemic awareness Recognize upper and lower case letters of the alphabet Recite appropriate sounds when shown letters of the alphabet Use their knowledge of letter sounds to decode simple words Develop concept of words by tracking print and identifying familiar words in text Demonstrate an understanding of stories and ability to respond to simple questions Read and recall high frequency sight words Make predictions based on illustrations or story text
Students will learn to: • • • • • • •
Write through illustrations, class books, written response and writing workshop Apply sound-letter knowledge in written communication Write text that is related to a created picture Recognize and read their own writing Develop an understanding of the writing process Use appropriate kindergarten conventions: spacing, appropriate capitalization and punctuation Write words based on letter sounds using initial consonants, some medial sounds and ending sounds.
I can trust that my daughter is receiving the highest level of academic support, quality nutrition and behavioral guidance while building a loving foundation and lifelong friends. We only wish we could stay forever! T H E J E R A B E K F A M I LY
SPEAKING
LISTENING
Students will learn to:
Students will learn to:
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Express ideas, thoughts and feelings verbally Contribute appropriately and meaningfully to group discussions Engage in speaking during appropriate times
• Respond verbally and appropriately to questions in various settings
• Actively engage as a listener • Face the speaker and make eye contact while listening • Listen and demonstrate an understanding of the story • Follow multi-step verbal directions • Recall current events
At Turtle Rock you will find yourself part of a community where everyone works together to provide an environment in which your child will feel happy, secure and confident being herself.
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Every day is a new opportunity for exploration and discovery. Children are empowered to find their voice and express their unique perspective. 5
CURRICULUM
MATHEMATICS Mathematics is a universal language that allows us to make sense of our world. In order to develop and enrich student understanding of mathematics, kindergarten students will have opportunities to experience the utility, power and beauty of mathematics as they become proficient in using and applying fundamental mathematical concepts. The kindergarten math curriculum includes units of study in:
GEOMETRY Students will use geometry to deepen their sense of numeracy. Students will learn to: • Identify and manipulate 2D and 3D shapes • Understand spatial awareness
MEASUREMENT Students will learn to:
N U M B E R S A N D O P E R AT I O N S Students will learn to: • Know number names and count in sequence • Count physical objects • Compare numbers • Understand concepts of addition/subtraction • Work with numbers to gain Base 10 Foundations for place value • Describe and compare measurable attributes • Identify and describe shapes • Analyze, compare and compose shapes
ALGEBRA Students will learn to: • • • •
Sort and classify Explore and extend patterns Use concrete models to solve problems Investigate different expressions that equal a sum of 3, 4, and 5
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Understand comparative terms Compare lengths, weight and capacity of objects Concepts and tools of time Question, collect data, and record observations
SCIENCE Scientific literacy enables us to make informed, responsible decisions that affect our daily lives. As a result of the science curriculum, kindergarten students will be able to ask scientific questions and make decisions based on investigation, observation and discussion of results. The kindergarten science curriculum includes units of study in: • Growing and Changing • Collections from Nature • Construction
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CURRICULUM
SOCIAL SCIENCE The goal of the social science curriculum is to prepare students to become responsible citizens. As a result of this curriculum, kindergarten students will make connections and applications to the question: “How are people connected to each other and the world around them?” The kindergarten social science curriculum includes units of study in:
TECHNOLOGY Kindergarten students learn with, from and about technology in an engaged, educationally focused environment. Kindergartners have opportunities to work with multiple forms of interactive technology in ways that transform learning and impact the manner in which they learn.
VISUAL ARTS & MUSIC MYSELF AND OTHERS • Relationships, needs and wants, environment and national heroes • Physical environment and lifestyles of other nations, our country, state and neighborhood
P H Y S I C A L E D U C AT I O N Physical education will provide every student with a variety of challenges that will contribute to the development and maintenance of their physical, cognitive, and affective well-being. Students will be provided with the foundation for making informed decisions that will empower them to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Physical Education is a lifelong process, which is the primary responsibility of the student, shared by home, school and community.
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Visual art and music are essential to human development. Through inquiry into the origins and traditions of art and music, students become more literate. They learn about concepts, cultural traditions, historical perspectives and the progress of civilizations which enrich their experiences and shape their understanding of the world.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE Our Spanish language program, taught by one of our native Spanish-speaking teachers once per week, encourages students to develop lifelong skills to communicate effectively in the global marketplace, create a greater awareness of another culture, and increase knowledge and appreciation of language. The curriculum introduces students to the skills of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural competence.
Engaging, nurturing, compassionate and professional are amongst the many words we can use to describe this outstanding school and staff.
The teachers kept us well informed of his development, creating a learning atmosphere that was consistent in the classroom and at home.
THE CHOW F A M I LY
THE ENRIQUEZ F A M I LY
We cultivate a love of learning within a warm and supportive environment.
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ADVANTAGES OF TURTLE ROCK
Longer Core Day: • At six hours, our Core Day is 80% longer than the Irvine Unified School District program. • Longer learning days are associated with improved reading and numeracy, smoother transitions into First Grade, and increased post-secondary graduation rates. • Allows for more appropriate challenges for children at all developmental levels. • More opportunities to learn through play. • Extended interaction with other children to help develop strong social-emotional skills and positive self-esteem. • Greater exposure to educational materials to help develop strong literacy skills. • More time for teachers to meet the needs of children. • Fewer transitions during the day. • More individual and small-group activities.
Passionate and experienced teachers that engage students and challenge them academically. Separate reading and math groups to provide students tailored learning for their specific abilities. Extended-day program available to provide seamless before and after-school care. Early placement for developmentally ready children under five years of age. Enhanced curriculum standards with further emphasis on art appreciation, social growth and academic work skills. Accredited program by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Daily verbal and written parent communication. Children are walked into their classroom and picked-up directly from their classroom each day by parents. Teachers are available for phone or email communication as needed. Formal parent conferences are held twice a year.
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Nutritious morning and afternoon snacks, and optional hot lunch prepared by our on-site chef. Meals are served “family style” with classmates and teachers at the table. Small campus with a safe and secure environment. Several enriching field trips during the year. A diverse multi-cultural student body. Presentations occur throughout the year to supplement specific concepts and themes. Closed fewer days than most other schools. School remains open during our non-instructional Spring Break. Interactive Smart Board to actively engage students in the curriculum. Internet-connected Apple and PC computers in the classroom, with hands-on instruction. Effortless transition to our popular summer camp. Kids’ Night Out: Once a month, your child can have an exciting night out with classmates and friends at school while parents enjoy an evening to themselves.
We highly recommend this kindergarten because of its outstanding staff and facilities. School parties are great, too. Our daughters will keep amazing life long memories & friends from their early years spent at Turtle Rock. It certainly is a school unlike any other. T H E Z A H E D I F A M I LY
A TYPICAL DAY
7:00 a.m. Extended Day Arrival 8:30 a.m. Core Day Begins Students begin their day with an outside social time, followed by a nutritious snack served family style.
9:00 a.m. Morning Meeting, Learning Centers and Journaling Students gather for a morning meeting with flag salute, daily helpers, student of the week, calendar, math, songs and reading review. Students participate in theme-based journaling, reading activities, block play, dramatic play and educational games.
10:15 a.m. Recess 10:45 a.m. Academic Time Teachers read a story related to the monthly theme. Students engage in independent learning reinforcing math and reading concepts in small academic groups.
12:00 p.m. Lunch and Recess Students can bring lunch from home or purchase a well-balanced school lunch prepared by our on-site chef.
1:00 p.m. Physical Education and Themed Art Students strengthen motor skills with structured games, and explore art mediums based on the monthly theme.
1:30 p.m. Social Studies, Science and Literature Teachers foster civic knowledge, engage students in science experiments and read theme related stories.
2:15 p.m. Classroom Dismissal Meeting Students review and discuss the day’s events, chart daily behavior and distribute daily awards.
2:30 p.m. Dismissal for Core Program *Extended-day students will have a quiet period from 2:30-3:00 p.m. each day before combining with the After-School Academy until the school closes at 6 p.m.
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ONE CONCORDIA WEST IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92612 (949) 854-7611 turtlerockpreschool.com