Day in the Life
A Peek into Kindergarten
A Peek into Kindergarten
Experience
7:45 am
Kindergarteners arrive at 110 Commonwealth Avenue by car, by foot, by bike, or by scooter. Students, siblings, and caregivers exchange excited greetings with Mr. Hajj before heading into the warm and inviting kindergarten space.
A Peek into Kindergarten
Experience
8:00 am
With jackets hung and lunches put away, the students gather to begin their morning together. The schedule, the calendar, announcements, games and a special morning message set the stage for the full day of learning ahead.
A Peek into Kindergarten
Experience
8:30 am
Students return to their tables to find a variety of colored blocks and a set of dice. There are some curious looks and enthusiastic whispers as math class begins.
A Peek into Kindergarten
Experience
9:30 am
It’s now time for reading instruction and even though each student may be working on something a little bit different from their classmates, everyone is quiet and focused. Teachers meet with children and deliver mini-lessons on phonics and help students build their fluency as readers.
A Peek into Kindergarten
Experience
10:30 am
The students line up and walk to the McCord Building at 107 Marlborough Street where Mx. Carlyle is waiting to welcome them in the bright and colorful art studio. There are scissors, paint and colorful papers arranged on each table and a work by Jean-Michel Basquiat on the screen as the children arrive.
A Peek into Kindergarten
Experience
11:30 am
Lunch and Recess! On the return from art class, the teachers and children stop halfway at the Clarendon Street Playground for recess. Today is extra-special as the kindergartners are having recess with their Sixth Grade Buddies. The students are ready for this break in the day: a chance to play and enjoy each other's company before returning to the classroom for lunch.
A Peek into Kindergarten
Experience
12:30 pm
Back on the rug, the children are listening intently to “The Street Beneath My Feet”. At the end there are so many questions and wonderings about life under a city. The teacher explains that the class will go on a scavenger hunt tomorrow to find manhole covers, storm drains, subway entrances and more. This is the kickoff to their City Studies unit, where children learn how to become active and engaged community members.
A Peek into Kindergarten
Experience
1:30 pm
“Buenos dias, Señor Saez,” the class cheerfully calls in greeting as their Spanish teacher enters. Soon, all the children are standing and singing while learning the Spanish words for colors and numbers.
A Peek into Kindergarten
Experience
2:00 pm
Writing journals open after a quick mini-lesson and the students begin responding to the day’s narrative writing prompt while teachers circulate to provide assistance and positive reinforcement. The session ends with several children proudly sharing their work with the class.
A Peek into Kindergarten
Experience
2:30 pm
As the day comes to an end, the students engage in choice time. Today, there is a restaurant next to a giant block city and a few firefighters reading in the class library. All too soon, it is time to begin cleaning up and getting ready to say good-bye.
A Peek into Kindergarten
Experience
3:00 pm
Still happily chatting, the class exits the building and walks to the McCord Building where they will meet parents and siblings or join the After School Program. Teachers and grown-ups chat, and while the children are tired, they are also ready to see what learning tomorrow will bring.
