Senior Kindergarten
Wheeling Country Day School’s Reggio-inspired Senior Kindergarten welcomes five and six-year-olds into a learning environment driven by curiosity and discovery. Building on the independence and early literacy foundations of Junior Kindergarten, children dive deeper into open explorations shaped by their own interests. Here, student voices guide the journey, whole-child growth is nurtured, and a spirit of community thrives – preparing each child with confidence, creativity, and compassion for the adventure of elementary school.
About Senior Kindergarten
Senior kindergarten provides a strong foundation from which each student can grow to become a lifelong learner. As a Reggio-inspired program, learning is done through open explorations and discovery with topics driven from the interests of the children.
With a focus on collaboration and communication, students are encouraged to investigate and reflect on their own learning processes. Documentation of such processes gives value to the many languages our students use to gain new knowledge. The classroom acts as a “third teacher” and is often extended outdoors. We strive to feed the innate curiosity of each child so that they can grow to their fullest potential as learners.
Wheeling Country Day School’s senior kindergarten program focuses on the child within the learner. It is an engaging centers-based curriculum that matches the way children develop and learn, meeting their personal learning needs in a hands-on and nurturing environment.
Children need time for fantasy and spontaneous play. Therefore, the classrooms invite pretending and storytelling, which provide the most fertile ground for language growth, both contextual and semantic.
In addition, the campus layout allows children to be active and to follow their natural sense of wonder. They play and learn in nature with found objects that inspire creativity.
Far from curriculum in a box, the program allows the teachers to take their cues from their students, and then actively guide and encourage their curiosity, intellectual strengths, and above-average skills.
Throughout the year, the class engages in various creative activities, including painting, designing art pieces, and exploring different art mediums. They use their imagination and artistic skills to create collaborative dream-inspired art pieces, design their own dream cars using cardboard and other materials, and explored different painting techniques. The emphasis on creativity allows the students to express themselves and develop their artistic abilities.
In addition to the traditional subject areas, students participate in fine arts, physical education, foreign language, and technology classes. An emphasis on the fine arts has been a part of the school since its inception. Biweekly classes in art and music are highlights in the children’s experiences. Daily physical education classes enhance physical development, while the morning intramural program fosters team relationships across grade levels. Children learn to use both the library and the computer as valuable resources for information.
The students have opportunities to develop their mathematical skills, particularly in the area of measurement. They engage in activities such as estimating and measuring using tools like rulers and measuring tapes. Through games and real-life applications, they practice measuring different objects and explore concepts of size, length, and capacity. These activities aim to enhance their understanding of measurement and develop their mathematical thinking.
Character development instruction highlighting respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship complements the academic offerings. Each teacher weaves this special program into the class’s regular curriculum.
Literacy plays a significant role in the class’s learning journey. The students read various books, including those about dreams and musicians, which spark their imagination and lead to engaging discussions. They also practice writing by sharing their experiences during breaks, crafting stories about dreamers, and participating in the Virtual Talent Show. These literacy activities aim to improve their reading and writing skills while fostering their creativity and self-expression.
While being part of the Wheeling Country Day School community, children prepare for an increasingly global society with language and culture classes. Students explore the rich cultural heritage represented by the school’s families. Special school-wide and classroom activities throughout the year expand this understanding of the relationship between self and community.
The class delves into the world of music, particularly focusing on jazz and pop genres. They listen to jazz music, learn about scatting, and explore different instruments in jazz bands. The students also enjoy dancing and expressing themselves through music, showcasing their dance moves and engaging in pop painting. The incorporation of music and rhythm fosters an appreciation for different musical styles and encourages self-expression.
Senior Kindergarden Teachers & Staff
Arden Wolle
Senior Kindergarten
Hanna Williams
Senior Kindergarten
