Wide-eyed. Curious. Trusting.

Transitional Kindergarten students are often taking their first steps into the larger world around them, and there is no safer or kinder environment for them to step into than our lower school. Below you will find a general breakdown of content-specific learning areas that would encompass a year in Transitional Kindergarten.

Because we believe in an integrated approach to learning that weaves Biblical principles all throughout the day and throughout the subjects, Transitional Kindergarten students are literally immersed in the knowledge that God loves them, values them, and wants a personal relationship with them. Practically speaking, the Bible curriculum covers: Creation, The Birth of Jesus, The life and death of Jesus through the Easter story, several parables of Jesus, the Lord’s Prayer, and selected morning prayers and blessings.

The language and literacy component of our TK curriculum covers alphabet sounds and letter construction, correct posture for writing, as well as an abundance of exposure to quality, engaging children’s literature. From books like “How to Be a Friend” or “The Ugly Duckling” or even “The Carrot Seed,” literature is used as a launching point for integrating subject areas. Children listen, craft, play, and even sing along with the sights and sounds they learn from their time in Language Arts.

Early childhood educators know that learning must incorporate sensory experiences that captivate their students. In math, this looks a lot like game playing and rhymes. Students sing, count, jump and memorize their way through the identification of numbers 1-50 as well as counting by 10’s to 100. Add on the recognition of patterns, simple bar graphs, and the days of the week, followed by ordinal numbers, and your Transitional Kindergartener is well on their way to a solid math foundation in preparation for Kindergarten.

History does not take a front seat in the scope of Transitional Kindergarten primarily due to the average TK student’s developmental understanding of “the past.” However, popular holidays and historical figures are covered. Students are also exposed to the ideas and specifics of city, state, and country.

Science lends itself beautifully to the need for hands-on learning at this age. From introductory physical science lessons on light, shadows and rainbows, to practical lessons on healthy foods and hand washing, Transitional Kindergarteners love their science time! Created with the senses in mind, these lessons might just be the ones that elicit smiles and laughter the most often. A wide variety of topics are covered throughout the year.

Students are given formal instruction once a week in shapes, colors and mixing colors, and the use of different art mediums. Of course, informal art is a way of life in the Transitional Kindergartener’s classroom as the teacher uses art to develop expression and creativity all day long.

Students are given formal music instruction using the Kodaly method of teaching. Through purposeful movement and games, students explore pitch, song fragments, form and expression, and song tales. Lots of singing, dancing and giggles can be heard when standing outside the lower school music classroom!

Students look forward to PE all week! Spatial awareness, creative movement, fitness, relays, and manipulative skills all combine to make this curricular item one of the most popular in our lower school. Under the guidance of a loving and enthusiastic PE teacher, these young ones begin to hear the message that being fit is fun! Transitional kindergarten students are even given opportunities to participate in after-school running clubs led by our PE instructor.

Bible

Because we believe in an integrated approach to learning that weaves Biblical principles all throughout the day and throughout the subjects, Transitional Kindergarten students are literally immersed in the knowledge that God loves them, values them, and wants a personal relationship with them. Practically speaking, the Bible curriculum covers: Creation, The Birth of Jesus, The life and death of Jesus through the Easter story, several parables of Jesus, the Lord’s Prayer, and selected morning prayers and blessings.

Language Arts

The language and literacy component of our TK curriculum covers alphabet sounds and letter construction, correct posture for writing, as well as an abundance of exposure to quality, engaging children’s literature. From books like “How to Be a Friend” or “The Ugly Duckling” or even “The Carrot Seed,” literature is used as a launching point for integrating subject areas. Children listen, craft, play, and even sing along with the sights and sounds they learn from their time in Language Arts.

Math

Early childhood educators know that learning must incorporate sensory experiences that captivate their students. In math, this looks a lot like game playing and rhymes. Students sing, count, jump and memorize their way through the identification of numbers 1-50 as well as counting by 10’s to 100. Add on the recognition of patterns, simple bar graphs, and the days of the week, followed by ordinal numbers, and your Transitional Kindergartener is well on their way to a solid math foundation in preparation for Kindergarten.

History/Geography

History does not take a front seat in the scope of Transitional Kindergarten primarily due to the average TK student’s developmental understanding of “the past.” However, popular holidays and historical figures are covered. Students are also exposed to the ideas and specifics of city, state, and country.

Science

Science lends itself beautifully to the need for hands-on learning at this age. From introductory physical science lessons on light, shadows and rainbows, to practical lessons on healthy foods and hand washing, Transitional Kindergarteners love their science time! Created with the senses in mind, these lessons might just be the ones that elicit smiles and laughter the most often. A wide variety of topics are covered throughout the year.

Art

Students are given formal instruction once a week in shapes, colors and mixing colors, and the use of different art mediums. Of course, informal art is a way of life in the Transitional Kindergartener’s classroom as the teacher uses art to develop expression and creativity all day long.

Music

Students are given formal music instruction using the Kodaly method of teaching. Through purposeful movement and games, students explore pitch, song fragments, form and expression, and song tales. Lots of singing, dancing and giggles can be heard when standing outside the lower school music classroom!

PE

Students look forward to PE all week! Spatial awareness, creative movement, fitness, relays, and manipulative skills all combine to make this curricular item one of the most popular in our lower school. Under the guidance of a loving and enthusiastic PE teacher, these young ones begin to hear the message that being fit is fun! Transitional kindergarten students are even given opportunities to participate in after-school running clubs led by our PE instructor.

Trinity Academy Distinctives

In addition to the classes above, students are exposed to:

Yes, Latin! Utilizing songs, chants, and rhymes, our Latin teacher has crafted a dynamic program designed to teach the students numbers, colors, animals, foods and more.
Even our youngest students are given opportunities to develop into confident orators. Students learn proper speaking posture, appropriate volume, how to make eye contact, and what it means to speak fluently. Each spring, Transitional Kindergarten students participate in a school-wide TK-8 “Poetry and Prose” competition that never fails to delight the audience with the students’ skill and poise.
Latin
Yes, Latin! Utilizing songs, chants, and rhymes, our Latin teacher has crafted a dynamic program designed to teach the students numbers, colors, animals, foods and more.
Oration
Even our youngest students are given opportunities to develop into confident orators. Students learn proper speaking posture, appropriate volume, how to make eye contact, and what it means to speak fluently. Each spring, Transitional Kindergarten students participate in a school-wide TK-8 “Poetry and Prose” competition that never fails to delight the audience with the students’ skill and poise.