It's All About the Quality

It’s all about the quality…but don’t think we’re not having fun too! Last month, The New York Times featured an article, “Want to make $1000 More A Tear? Try Kindergarten” (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyID=129187436&f…) (August 14, 2010, NPR Staff). Harvard economist, Raj Chetty explains that an “excellent-quality class” is worth the investment for your child’s future. His study determined that a quality kindergarten program is the catalyst for developing positive social and emotional skills as well as academic skills. And, it is these skills that help us to become successful adults. Who doesn’t want that for their child?

In these difficult economic times, I can see how one might consider spending money on a private kindergarten education a bit daunting. But, The Zimmer School’s commitment to authentic learning experiences might just be the catalyst for inspiring your child’s future success!

At Zimmer, we create our environment with intention. With a natural inspired backdrop, each area of the classroom is carefully planned and stocked with evocative materials based on clear objectives for how the space will be used. Safety is always our priority in planning each space. Our beautiful grounds and access to the surrounding woods and river, beckons us to a classroom outdoors! The Zimmer teacher is trained to provoke thought and inquiry through meaningful dialogue with each child. Deep respect is always demonstrated toward the child and his/her opinion, point of view and interests. The small class size allows for discovering and embracing the children’s interests. Ultimately, our children love to learn!

Academics are based on the state standards, and each child is permitted the time and space to grow, mature and learn at an individual pace. As we began this school year together, so began a New Year as we greeted Rosh Hashanah. We learned new routines, like signing in and marking our self “here” on the attendance chart. Each day we look forward to the message Morah has written for us to respond to in our journals! Learning proper handwriting is a lesson in “fun” as we use our fingers, chalk, and damp sponges to practice forming letters on individual chalkboards.

We explored our surroundings outside! A walk to the river prompted wonder and amazement after the children discovered an “empty” turtle shell. The large river’s bank gave way to discussion about the height of the river! “Look Morah, I can see the roots of those trees!” exclaimed one child. “Why do you suppose that is?” I asked. The children looked around. “I know, because water used to be there and now it’s not!” a child explained. “Well, if that’s true, would that mean that we are standing on what was once water?” I asked. “Yes!” they said. “Well, how can that be?” I asked. The children thought for a bit and offered: “Well, it went into the mud!” “It is hot, it dried up!” “We need rain!” As one child looked up at the tree he asked, “Morah, can that tree fall down now?” “Hmmm, interesting, what do you think?” I asked!

Learning math is always fun at Zimmer kindergarten. The Everyday Mathematics curriculum helps children make those real life connections to math in their “everyday” lives! Math has a purpose, and it’s fun. Exploring measurement led us in to discussing whether the height of our bodies would determine the length of our feet! Well, there was one way to find out! First, the children measured themselves “back to back” in order to put themselves in height order. Okay, that was fun! But would the size of our feet measure up in the same order? Determined to find out, the children traced their foot, cut it out, colored it then they carefully measured each foot cutout. We made sure to match the bottom of each foot in

order to accurately measure them. Can you guess what we discovered?

Reading is fun, but it is most fun when reading to a buddy. The children were delighted to share some stories with a reading buddy of their choice…a furry stuffed animal. The children love our cozy library. After reading our first shared reading book, Birthdays, they can often be found reading it to their buddy! We also enjoy reading High Five, a fun magazine published for children.

Our office area is perhaps one of the most popular. Morah’s old college typewriter is once again getting plenty of use! Learning to put the paper in and finding the proper key to return the carriage was fascinating! But, locating the keys to type our name…was perhaps our greatest discovery! Of course, the stamps, ABC tiles, stencils, rhyming props, finger puppets and more….have also been a source of great discovery and fun.

Building builds patience, coordination, planning skills, friendships and pure enjoyment. An interesting mix of blocks, tubes, tools, animals, Lincoln logs and mini furniture pieces makes for tremendous potential! The children work together to develop ideas, problem solve and overcome “creative differences.” Cleanup often involves a strategy, “you get the window blocks, and I’ll get the tubes!” And as the end of our day nears, and the children anxiously clean up so we can share our memorable part of the day with each other and hear a story, I often overhear, “I can help clean up, even though I didn’t play in blocks today!” We are truly building a beautiful community of learners and friends! Now that’s worth the investment!