Kindergarten 2023 - Yavneh Day School

Kindergarten

The Gan (kindergarten) year focuses on social and emotional development, encouraging a child’s natural curiosity and emphasizing problem-solving skills, independence, and identity building.

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World-class academics

Learning is meaningful when it is relevant. Yavneh is dedicated to cross-curricular integration while considering a multitude of learning styles. We proudly use a structured literacy program, FUNdations, a science-based curriculum that uses multi-sensory lessons to lay the groundwork for life-long literacy. This program focuses on reading, writing, spelling, and handwriting.

Our math program uses the Singapore Math learning method, which uses three distinct approaches to understanding mathematical concepts and problem-solving. It uses the concrete to pictorial to abstract approach and encourages students to actively think, understand, and communicate to solve math problems.

Daily life at Yavneh focuses on character and skill-set development, such as teamwork, empathy, kindness, perseverance, etc. We utilize our signature Keshet of Kavod program, morning meetings, closing circles, and buddy activities to help our students develop resilience and healthy social-emotional awareness.

View the Kindergarten Curriculum Guide here

Whole child approach to education.

Project-Based Learning

Through projects and investigations that align with emerging interests, students learn how to learn while developing a lifelong love of learning. Reading and literacy are taught in ways that are developmentally appropriate to individual students. Numeracy is taught in a relevant, experiential way, building number sense and problem-solving skills through a combination of hands-on exploration and the sharing of different strategies and approaches.

Play is a Child’s Work

In the words of a noted kindergarten teacher and author, Vivian Gussin Paley, “play is a child’s work.” Through projects, choice time, tinkering in STEAM lessons, recesses, and on the playground, students are provided ample opportunities each day for engaging in that important work, expressing themselves creatively while engaging in the real-life challenges of navigating and exploring their world.

Mindfulness

We incorporate mindfulness into our day using short video clips, meditation, or yoga.

The benefits of daily practice:

Improved Attention
Emotional Regulation
Greater Compassion
Reduction of Stress and Anxiety

Buddy Program

Yavneh students are given a unique opportunity that lays the foundation for meaningful, cross-grade-level friendships: the Buddy Program. Each year, Kindergarteners are assigned an 8th-grade buddy. We learn with our buddies, who mentor gan students throughout the year.

My big buddy is nice to me and makes me feel special during the day.

-Talia, Gan/Kindergarten

Typical Day in the Life of a Gan Student

Daily Schedule
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 8:15 am – 3:30 pm
Wednesday: 8:15am – 2:30pm
Friday: 8:15am – 3:00pm

Flow of Our Day:

Morning Routine
Language Arts/Hebrew
Recess
Centers – Math/Language Arts
Lunch
Quiet Time
Mindfulness
Choice Time
Closing Circle
Dismissal

Specialist Classes:

Monday – Art / Music
Wednesday – Art / STEAM
Wednesday – PE
Thursday – STEAM
Friday – PE

After-School Enrichment Activities

Yavneh offers aftercare in our fun-filled, HaMoadon (The Club) 5 days per week until 5:30 pm. There is also a variety of after-school enrichment programs that provide a great opportunity for students to explore their interests. Classes include cooking, art, music, movement, Hebrew, reading, and math. Yavneh after-school counselors can also bring students to the classes offered by the JCC, such as swim, soccer, dance, tennis, and coding.

Experiential Learning

Field trips are tied to our integrated curriculum.

Kindergarten News

FUNdations Structured Literacy Program

In the past few weeks, Yavneh students in grades K-3 have significantly advanced their literacy skills using our new structured literacy program, FUNdations. Teachers introduced the first models in FUNdations [...]

Rosh Hashana Learning, Activities, and More. L’Shanah Tovah – Happy Jewish New Year!

Message from the Principal Rosh Hashanah, which means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew, is the Jewish New Year. It is one of the most important days on the Jewish [...]

Welcome back! First Day of The 2023-24 School Year (Photos & Official Music Video)

Love Learning at Yavneh (Lyrics) Power of love, is an amazing thing Makes one kid read, makes another kid sing Takes your math, to the clouds above More than [...]