Full-day Kinder

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Full-day Kinder
By Sherri Andreas

I teach an all-day program at a Christian school in California, and I love it! It gives so much more time for projects, acting out stories, social times, music, p.e., and computer lab. I have set up a schedule that alternates
"carpet" and "table" sitting times with more active "center" and recess times. It has worked well for me for the last 4 years. I'm often complemented on the great behavior the children have, and I think a lot of credit is due to the schedule! Here it is; I hope it helps!
8:25-8:35 pledges, anthem, and prayer
8:35-8:45 calendar
8:45-9:00 religion
9:00-9:50 learning centers

(starting about October I teach reading groups during this time; September gives me time to help children make "learning choices" during this time.) They choose from various centers (writing, puzzles, markerboards, science, etc.) on a chart. Tuesdays and Thursdays I also do computer lab during this time.
9:50-10:00 clean up centers, write our sight words on chalk or markerboards (I introduce a new one each week)
10:00-10:15 wash hands/snack
10:15-10:30 recess
10:30-10:45 share time (the children share stories they have written or other work done during center time)
10:45-11:10 Language (letter activities, literature stories, pocket charts, etc.)
11:10-11:30 Math
11:30-11:35 wash hands
11:35-12:00 lunch
12:00-12:20 recess
12:20-12:45 rest (I read stories to them during this time)
12:45-1:00 music and movement
1:00-1:20 science / social studies
1:20-1:45 art (make-it-take-it books, our poetry page, theme-related crafts, free-art, etc.)
1:45-2:00 journal (as they finish journal they choose an activity center on the chart-I conference with them during activity time.)
2:00-2:30 activity time (blocks, playhouse, Legos, art, etc.)
2:30-2:40 clean-up
2:40-2:50 Sharing bag time (1 child each day gets our special "sharing bag". They may bring up to 3 items to show and tell about.)
2:50-3:00 Talk about the day, give out hand stamp rewards, prayer.

The afternoon flows rather freely - more time where the children's interests are on a certain day or more time for a science experiment, etc. I have p.e. about twice a week; more before our school trackmeet. At the beginning of the year, the afternoons are very easy - a longer rest time, more singing, not as much science, and a longer playtime. By the end of the year our rest time, music, and playtime are shorter, and we do more "work" in the afternoon. I have LOVED this schedule and so have the students...I hope it helps you create the perfect schedule for your class!