A planned curriculum is an essential element in a kindergarten program. The curriculum of Al Hamraa School Kindergarten is designed specifically for your children. We provide an activity - rich curriculum where subject matter is taught in such a way that standards are kept in the background and students are allowed to experience the joy of learning.

In the KG department, students actively participate in a curriculum designed to grow their knowledge and skills in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education, Art and Technology

“Pockets” Thematic Series: A program that takes on a prominent role in the development of skills essential to the progress of preschool children. Each unit and lesson integrates a variety of skills, including gross to fine motor, visual and auditory discrimination as well as pre- reading and writing skills. It also has Values Curriculum, which are age-appropriate values through engaging activities. The Workbook gives students focused reinforcement of what is taught in class, a wide range of exercises recycle and extend vocabulary and language structures. The accompanying Audio CD contains the songs and chants that students learn in class.

“I Can Do Math”: A Preschool program that offers carefully planned and engaged activities. It involves a lot of hands-on experiences and relationships with real objects and people to help develop and utilize their mathematical knowledge as a practical tool for solving problems in the real world.

“All Aboard”: A program that teaches preschool children phonemic awareness, sound/letter recognition, handwriting, visual and auditory discrimination.” 

“Math and Alphabet Booklets”: Specially designed homework booklets that provide our children with extra home practice to improve their mathematical knowledge and language skills.

Qur’an Curriculum: The Qur’an was revealed to nurture a nation, establish a community, and build a system. It helps children develop independent personalities; therefore, Qur’an education is an integral part of the Kindergarten curriculum. Selected short surahs from Juz ‘Amma have been chosen, as they are appropriate for the children’s age at this stage. 

Arabic Language Curriculum: Children are introduced to the shapes of Arabic letters and learn to write them using modern and varied teaching strategies. Teachers utilize specially prepared booklets designed for this purpose.

Mathematics in Arabic Curriculum: The math curriculum includes age-appropriate numbers, as well as shapes, basic concepts, and colors that are suitable for this early learning stage.

Reading: The “Scott Foresman Reading Street”: A program that includes activities promoting language growth in listening, speaking, writing as well as reading and critical thinking. It is organized into four standards: Oral Language, Shared Reading, Letters and Sounds, and Language Arts. The standards work together to meet the needs of all children and to develop the basic reading skills that will enable them to become independent readers and communicate well in English.

 Math: The “Scott Foresman Math”: A comprehensive year – long program that helps students develop an understanding and insight into the patterns of mathematics through use of tangible material.

Science: The “Scott Foresman Science”: A program that introduces preschoolers to the joys of learning through fun, engaging in hands – on activities and age-appropriate science.

Jolly Phonics Starter Kit: A special in-class program that provides further supporting materials for teaching children to read and write.

Math, Science, Alphabet and Reading Booklets: Specially designed homework booklets that provide our children with extra home practice to improve their mathematical, scientific and language skills.

The program aims to enhance the child’s level and ensure mastery of all Arabic letters in their different forms and positions, as well as recognizing their sounds within words in a simplified and age-appropriate manner. It also provides children with general knowledge suitable for their developmental stage.

Qur’an Curriculum:
The Qur’an curriculum focuses on memorizing short surahs from Juz ‘Amma that are appropriate for this age group.

Arabic Language Curriculum:
The program includes a specially prepared booklet that covers the Arabic letters, their sounds, and their positions within words.

Physical Education:

This program has been enrolled as part of our extra curriculum activities to insure and prepare our children to be physically and mentally active, fit and healthy, and improve their self-confidence and self-esteem.

Art:

Learning to create and appreciate visual aesthetics is important to the development of our children; thus, it has been given a part of our extra curriculum activities. The Art program will help your child develop his/her motor skills, usage of language, decision making, visual learning as well as inventiveness and imagination.

Reading: Reading Street:

is a focused program designed to meet the objectives and intent of the Common Core State Standards for a program that includes activities to promote language growth in listening, speaking, writing as well as reading and critical thinking. It is organized into four standards: oral language, shared reading, word work, and language arts. The standards work together to meet the needs of all children and to develop the basic reading skills that will enable them to become independent readers and communicate well in English.

Integrated curriculum subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Arts are to foster Problem Solving, Investigation and Inquiry. All contents are grouped as Big Ideas, allowing children to develop concepts and vocabulary at the same time. Every Big Idea or concept is supported by rich, accessible and engaging literature that enables children to participate in discussions and build new concepts. 

Math:

Go Math! is a focused program designed to meet the objectives and intent of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Go Math! is specifically written to provide thorough coverage of the CCSS with an emphasis on depth of instruction. Lessons begin with context‐based situations and progress toward more abstract problems. Students and teachers are supported as they advance from concrete to abstract content through the use of models and math talk prompts. The program is designed so that teachers can easily create the environments necessary for teaching the Common Core Standards with depth.

Science:

Science Fusion: Offers students the opportunity to ask and answer questions, investigate and draw conclusions through textbook reading, digital lessons, and virtual labs. It's truly a course that appeals to all types of learners. The comprehensive, secular work texts cover all pertinent topics in the areas of life science, earth science, and physical science. Units within each book are divided into lessons which are done weekly. These workbooks are colorful and inviting for students and all information is included right at the student's fingertips on perforated pages. Each lesson begins with an Essential Question which encourages the student to search for the answer in their reading, and/or engage your Brain activities which include a prediction activity.

Kaizen Mental Math:

Kaizen is a child development program based on Mental Math and the Abacus that boosts brainpower in children. Along with strengthening math skills, the Kaizen approach promotes whole brain development and establishes foundational building blocks like memory, concentration, creativity and problem solving – core skills that inspire greater confidence and success in all subject areas and in life. The program equips them with the skills they need to improve overall academic achievement and to confidently meet life’s challenges and achieve greatness.

Qur’an Curriculum:

The Qur’an curriculum includes memorizing and studying the entire Surah Ar-Rahman throughout the academic year.

Arabic Language Curriculum:

The curriculum follows “My Enjoyable Words” by Dr. Jassem Al-Mutawa, with the addition of reading stories related to the Arabic alphabet and practicing dictation (imlaa’) to master correct word writing.

Physical Education

This program has been enrolled as part of our extra curriculum activities to insure and prepare our children to be physically and mentally active, fit and healthy, and improve their self-confidence and self-esteem.

Art

Learning to create and appreciate visual aesthetics is important to the development of our children; which it is why it has been given a part of our extra curriculum activities. The Art program will help your child develop his motor skills, usage of language, decision making, visual learning as well as inventiveness and imagination.

 Morning Arrival: (From 7:30 am till 7:40 am)

Children will arrive and stay in morning duty classes and will be supervised by the assigned duty teacher. During this time, they begin to develop their independence as they place their files in labeled boxes and prepare for the day. They participate in a variety of selected and choice activities such as independent reading, writing, phonics, or manipulative work. Social skills are developed as students are encouraged to interact with the teacher and with each other.

Assembly Time: (From 7:40 am till 7:55 am)

The day begins with morning announcements, group time focused on activities such as the activities of the day, singing, read-aloud, building concepts of weather, holidays, character education, math concepts and calendar activities.

Breakfast Time: (From 8:30 am till 9:00 am)

Children have their morning breakfast in the inner courtyard and are supervised by their teachers.

Centers Time:

The classroom is divided into learning centers including a block center, art center, writing center, math and counting center, drama center and a book center. Some classrooms also have a science and discovery center and/or a listening center. The children are given daily opportunities to choose activities from some or all of these centers. Teachers rotate the activities in the centers depending on the theme of study and on children’s interests.

Children will secure any “take- home” projects, books and assignments in their blue files and bags and get personal items together before departing for home.

Orientation

Kindergarten orientation starts on the first day of school. Parents are requested to escort children to their classrooms; meanwhile, teachers and administrators are available for any needed support. Parents are requested to stay with their children for a short period of time to help them get acquainted with the new environment.

A short introductory meeting with the parents is held by the Head of Department and the Academic Coordinator to discuss the department’s general rules and regulations. During this time, the teachers continue with the orientation program with the children; the program lasts till the end of the week.

During the orientation week, teachers set their routines, discuss class rules and allow children to identify everything related to their school.

Drop off and Pick up

The school day officially begins at 8:00 a.m. Children should not be left at the kindergarten until a staff member has been made aware of their presence.

Children must be picked up on time at exactly 1:30 p.m. A waiting child may become anxious or lonely.

A pick-up card is sent to parents at the beginning of the school year. The teacher doesn’t release a child without a pick-up card. If the person in charge of picking up the child fails to present the card, the parent/guardian is contacted to grant the approval to release the child. Children are not be released by anyone without parent’s permission. Please send a written authorization to the kindergarten administration if someone other than yourself or the pickup holder is picking up your child on a given day.

Attendance and Absence

It is very important that your child attends school daily. He/she is learning many new things every day, and it is difficult for children to catch up on missed lessons and work later on. Naturally, children at a young age do have a tendency to get sick, if your child is absent, please send a written note on the following day to report the absence as excused. If you do not send a note, the absence is marked as unexcused.

Early Pick- Up

If it becomes necessary for your child to leave school early, please make sure you pass by the office, not your child’s classroom to pick your child. This enables the learning process in the classroom to continue uninterrupted. A staff member releases your child from his/her class.

Tardiness

Punctual attendance is important to your child’s adjustment to school. When arriving to class late, we do ask that you check your child in at the kindergarten office and allow the administrative staff to take your child to the classroom so as not to disturb the class in progress.

Illness and Medication

All students must be fever-free, diarrhea-free, and vomit-free for 24 hours before returning to school. Students with any type of infectious illness or condition, such as childhood communicable diseases, infections of the skin or eyes, or head lice, must receive proper treatment from a physician before returning to class. Please notify the school in the event of these illnesses so that others can be informed to watch for symptoms. 

If your child becomes ill during a school day, you are notified immediately to pick up your child. If you cannot be reached, an emergency name will be contacted.

No medicine is administered to your child at school without your approval.

Head Lice

The school nurse conducts a weekly lice check. In case a child’s hair is infected, the parent is contacted to pick up the child.  An educational pamphlet with detailed instructions on home treatment and removal of lice and nits is given to the parent upon request. The child returns to school as soon as and not before treatment is completed.

Injuries

If your child receives a minor injury, such as a bruise, bump, cut, scratch, etc., the school nurse administers first aid. You are notified of your child’s injury at the time of pick-up or in your child’s diary. If your child sustains a head injury, the staff contacts you immediately as a precautionary measure.

For an illness or injury that requires immediate medical attention, you are contacted immediately. Your child is taken to the nearest hospital (United Doctors Hospital) for medical attention. A staff member remains with your child until you arrive.

Emergency Drills

We practice fire and evacuation drills twice a term. Our children are trained and walked through the process in advance. They become aware of the exits as well as of the procedure of evacuation.

Report Cards

Report cards are issued twice a term for kindergarten students. Grading reflects a child’s achievement primarily with respect to his/her developmental/aptitude level. Children are evaluated based on their individual growth and development.

Retention

Retention is recommended when a student demonstrates a lack of success in school to a point where a repeat of the current grade is warranted. The staff make every effort to notify parents of impending difficulties as soon as they appear, so that a course of action is outlined.

Child’s Diary and Blue File

Your child receives and brings a diary and a blue file labeled with his/her name to school on daily basis. This file contains work and projects done in class during the day/week. Projects done in class are for the parent to keep at home.

The diary, books and booklets are kept in the child’s file at all times unless the teacher informs you to keep them at home.

The diary is an effective communication tool between parents and the school; therefore, you are kindly requested to check your child’s diary and file daily for any assignments that need to be completed.

All notes, messages or money sent with the child should be stapled to your child’s diary.

Homework

Homework is an essential part of your child’s learning process as it teaches your children responsibility and helps them develop good studying and learning habits. In addition to that, it helps reinforce lessons given in class and helps prepare children for weekly assessments. Children are expected to complete their work daily on their own with the help of the parent. Teachers provide instant feedback and follow-up on a child’s class work and homework progress.

Please notify the teacher in the diary if the child has trouble catching up with lessons or homework.

Discipline

The school uses logical consequences for inappropriate behavior. Staff attempt to avoid conflicts through redirection and other activities. Should conflict arise, staff will:

a. Guide the child through verbal discussion to arrive at a resolution that is agreeable to all parties.

b. Remove a child from an activity if the conflict continues.

c. Invite parents’ input through informal communication.

• Parents will be notified in cases of a child’s repeated inappropriate behavior so that, together, we may bring a resolution to the situation.

Uniform & Extra Set of Clothes

Children are required to wear a compulsory Kindergarten uniform each day. These uniforms are bought from the school. Each child should bring an extra set of clothes, too (a pair of track pants, an extra shirt, a pair of socks and an extra set of underwear) in a labeled Ziploc bag that is kept in your child’s bag daily.

Kindly ensure that all clothing items are clearly labeled.

Lost & Found

Please label all your children’s personal items. Articles of clothing and other items that are found are placed in the lost and found box in the school office. Items remaining for an extended period of time are donated to local charities.

Toys

Children are not allowed to bring toys to school since they easily distract them. A toy which becomes broken or lost may become a source of great distress to your child. Toys that are found with the child are removed and the parent is contacted to retrieve the toys.

Breakfast & Snack

Your child needs to bring 2 meals every day (Breakfast and Snack) packed in a labeled lunch box. Please separate breakfast from snack. These meals should include healthy and nutritious food such as: milk, juice, a light sandwich, fruits and vegetables. Chips, candies, gum, chocolate, etc. are not allowed at school. In case they are found with the child, they will be returned home. It is also essential that your child eats a good breakfast meal at home before coming to school.

Food may not be kept in the refrigerator; therefore, please pack food that will not spoil easily. We also have several children that have severe allergies to peanuts. Please do not bring any snacks / lunches that contain peanuts.

Birthdays and Other Celebrations

If the parent/guardian wishes to celebrate their son/daughter birthdays, they may send the cake or the cupcakes to school on his/her birthday or on any other special occasion. However, the kindergarten administration must be contacted in advance to be advised of any allergies affecting children in the classroom and to make any necessary arrangements.

Trips and Activities

Children will take part in school activities, fun and educational trips throughout the year. You will be notified of the corresponding dates and fees through a note attached to your child’s diary.   Children who are not going to the trip should be kept at home and not brought to school on that day.

Occasionally, there will be new faces in the Kindergarten when volunteers and students visit to gain experience in the education field. These new faces will also include relief staff who will sometimes be present at the Kindergarten. Each visitor is interviewed and provided with guidelines to ensure that there is no disruption to the children’s daily routine. All volunteers must wear a nametag indicating their individual positions. These visitors will be under the supervision of regular staff members.

The school has an “Open Door” Policy and our office business hours are from 7:20 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Parents are welcome to visit the office to discuss their child’s progress in our school or to address any issues concerning their child.

We also conduct regular parent conferences throughout the year, which is a valuable opportunity for parents and teachers to meet. However, parents are requested not to enter their children’s classes during an ongoing lesson in order not to interrupt the class and the teacher.

We value parent participation and expect 100% of our parents to be involved in their child’s education. Opportunities are available for all parents to volunteer both inside and outside the classrooms.

Several events throughout the year offer ample opportunities for students and parents to get involved including: classroom parties, celebrations, fund-raising and other events. In case you are interested in volunteering, kindly contact the Kindergarten Administration.

As a parent, you are requested to:

• Complete all required paperwork prior to the start of the school.
• Provide accurate phone numbers to reach you in case of emergency.
• Provide accurate, up-to-date medical information about your child.
• Indicate accurate authorization on the camp registration form if your child will be released to anyone other than yourself.
• Pick up your child on time each day.