Transitional Kindergarten PROGRAM

The Transitional Kindergarten is designed to challenge and enrich those students who are ready for a more rigorous academic day, while still providing playful learning experiences and a focus on the arts. As we continue to nurture children’s individuality and support their social skills, we help to build the confidence they need to succeed in the years to follow.

Health and Safety in the
Transitional-K Classroom

  • Regular health screenings of children and teachers
  • Daily sanitization of toys and other classroom materials
  • Regular disinfection of high-touch surfaces
  • 1:10 teacher-to-child ratio for individualized learning experiences
  • CPR- and First Aid-certified staff

Our T-K Day

The typical T-K day includes:

  • Engaging arrival/transition activities
  • Healthy snacks (morning and afternoon)
  • Circle Time (songs, stories, movement)
  • Thematic learning center activities
  • Outdoor play (morning and afternoon)
  • Lunch
  • Enrichment activities and in-depth project work
  • Self-selected activities

Home-School Connections

In addition to sharing information at pick-up and drop-off times, GHES teachers communicate with families through Procare Engage, a digital communication app. iPads in each classroom allow T-K teachers to send daily reports on:

  • Meals
  • Classroom activities (photos and videos)
  • Special events

Families can also use Engage to update teachers on any special considerations for the day.

Assessments of children’s progress towards developmental goals are done three times each year. Parents/family members are invited and encouraged to attend conferences with the teachers at least twice each year to set goals for each child and discuss growth and development over the course of the program year.

We also welcome all our families to become involved in their campus community through classroom visits, volunteering, and special family events.

P.L.A.N.

Play:

  • Creating learning opportunities through play in centers designed for block building and floor play; dramatic play and make-believe; art exploration; puzzles, games, and manipulatives; and science explorations
  • Enjoying outdoor play: running, climbing, sliding, balancing, bike/trike-riding, and sports

Learning:

  • Introducing a variety of texts (storybooks, poems, non-fiction texts, etc.)
  • Understanding the organization and basic features of print
  • Understanding syllables, alliterations, and blending sounds (phonemic awareness)
  • Utilizing the scientific method to answer questions
  • Expanding math understanding through oral counting and writing numbers, measurement, constructing 2-D and 3-D shapes, and exploring number operations
  • Investigating new interests through monthly thematic units including Country Studies, The Human Body, and Engineering and Robotics

Arts

  • Expressing creativity through process-oriented art
  • Studying well-known artists and emulating various artistic techniques
  • Experiencing music and movement daily

Nurturing

  • Seeking new and varied experiences and challenges
  • Taking responsibility for self-care and problem-solving
  • Communicating emotions and thoughts verbally
  • Playing cooperatively with peers and forming friendships
  • Focusing on tasks for extended periods of time with teacher support

P.L.A.N.

Play:

  • Creating learning opportunities through play in centers designed for block building and floor play; dramatic play and make-believe; art exploration; puzzles, games, and manipulatives; and science explorations
  • Enjoying outdoor play: running, climbing, sliding, balancing, bike/trike-riding, and sports

Learning:

  • Introducing a variety of texts (storybooks, poems, non-fiction texts, etc.)
  • Understanding the organization and basic features of print
  • Understanding syllables, alliterations, and blending sounds (phonemic awareness)
  • Utilizing the scientific method to answer questions
  • Expanding math understanding through oral counting and writing numbers, measurement, constructing 2-D and 3-D shapes, and exploring number operations
  • Investigating new interests through monthly thematic units including Country Studies, The Human Body, and Engineering and Robotics

Arts:

  • Expressing creativity through process-oriented art
  • Studying well-known artists and emulating various artistic techniques
  • Experiencing music and movement daily

Nurturing:

  • Seeking new and varied experiences and challenges
  • Taking responsibility for self-care and problem-solving
  • Communicating emotions and thoughts verbally
  • Playing cooperatively with peers and forming friendships
  • Focusing on tasks for extended periods of time with teacher support
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