ACADEMIC OVERVIEW

KINDERGARTEN

WELCOME TO KINDERGARTEN!

The kindergarten curriculum is not divided into discrete subjects with time allotted for each. Young children can learn reading as they discover information about math or science; they can learn writing when they work on social studies or art projects. The use of themes is helpful in providing an integral curriculum appropriate for young children.

Below, you can find an excerpt of the academics that your child will experience in Kindergarten at TLS.

Mrs. Melanie Teachout

  • Mrs. Teachout grew up in a small farming community in Jeffers, Minnesota. She graduated from Storden-Jeffers High School in 1990. Initially attending Faith Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa, she decided to transfer to Pillsbury College in Owatonna, Minnesota to be closer to home. In 1995, she graduated with a BS in Children Ministry/Biblical Studies. After working as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional in the public school system for several years, she pursued an AS degree in Early Childhood in 2020. Currently, she is attending SMSU in Marshall, MN through online classes to complete her BS in Early Childhood Education and obtain a Birth through 3rd grade license. Mrs. Teachout has been married for 27 years and has three grown children and one in high school. She and her family have resided in Waseca for 28 years.

  • Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice!

    I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

    Phillipians 4:4&13

  • I am thankful that I can teach about God to the students and have Christian coworkers to lean on when I have questions.

RELIGION

The kindergarten religion program is based on Concordia Publishing House Enduring Faith curriculum and centers around three major themes: 1) God and Me; 2) God, Me, and Others, and 3) God, Me, and My World. Students worship God by praying and singing. Through Old and New Testament Bible stories, the children hear about God’s promises for His people in the past and about His willingness to act on behalf of His people today. Kindergarteners also learn weekly Bible verses that pertain to each week’s lesson and learn the 10 Commandments.

READING & LANGUAGE ARTS

Preschoolers are taught to develop positive self-images, sharing, taking turns, and helping others. They are also taught to practice positive conflict resolution and forgiveness. Students learn to follow routines and work and play independently. Preschool may be the child's first experience being separated from parents.

PHONICS, SPELLING, & HANDWRITING

The Saxon Phonics and Spelling program enables most students to develop a solid foundation in phonics that will lead them to become successful readers and spellers. It builds on prior learning. New learning is presented in small steps that are reviewed daily. Kindergarteners become familiar with capital and lowercase letters, their sounds, and how they are written. Given the opportunity to read, many of the students will finish the school year reading on a basic level.

MATH

BJU math curriculum is used from kindergarten through the eighth grade. In kindergarten, math concepts are taught through calendar and small group activities. The children participate in hands-on activities that involve number concepts, counting skills, patterning, sorting, numeral recognition, estimating, graphing, measuring, and spatial concepts.

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES

Children in kindergarten learn scientific concepts through real experiences. Our program promotes the development of the processes that are integral to science: observing, communicating, classifying, measuring, comparing, and predicting. Themes in life, earth, and physical science are covered.