🎒 Dougherty Academy Kindergarten Syllabus
A Joyful Beginning to Lifelong Learning
At Dougherty Academy, Kindergarten marks the start of an incredible learning adventure a place where curiosity, creativity, and character come together. Our program nurtures each child’s natural wonder while building a strong foundation in academics, the arts, and life skills.
Designed with balance and purpose, the Kindergarten Syllabus blends early literacy, movement, and real-world experiences in a joyful and supportive environment.
🌟 Core Learning Foundations
Kindergarten students at Dougherty Academy begin their journey into reading, writing, and math through play-based, hands-on learning.
- Reading & Phonics: Children explore letters, sounds, and sight words to build early reading confidence.
- Early Writing: From tracing to storytelling, students learn to express their thoughts with creativity and clarity.
- Math Foundations: Counting, shapes, and simple addition create excitement for numbers and patterns.
🌿 Science, Nature & Community
Our youngest learners develop curiosity about the world around them:
- Science Exploration: Weather, plants, animals, and seasons come alive through observation and discovery.
- Social Studies & Community: Lessons about families, friends, and helpers teach responsibility and empathy.
- Gardening / Homesteading: Children plant seeds, nurture growth, and learn the joy of caring for living things.
🎨 The Arts & Music
Creative expression is central to early education — it builds confidence, patience, and joy.
- Art & Craft: Drawing, painting, and craft activities spark imagination.
- Music & Movement: Singing, dancing, and rhythm activities promote coordination and listening.
- Ballet: Grace, posture, and rhythm are explored through joyful movement.
- Music Theory (Intro): Students learn basic rhythms and musical notes through songs and games.
- Piano (Intro): Simple tunes introduce melody and pattern recognition.
- Violin (Intro): Students practice posture, holding the bow, and listening to pitch.
🧠 Building Strong Minds & Kind Hearts
At Dougherty Academy, learning extends beyond academics — we build character and confidence every day.
- Character Education: Students practice kindness, patience, and teamwork through stories and daily routines.
- Religion: Foundational Bible stories teach love, gratitude, and faith.
- Spanish & ASL: Language lessons build communication skills and appreciation for diversity.
- Technology Basics: Children learn safe, guided computer use while building digital curiosity.
🏃♀️ Movement, Health & Life Skills
Physical growth and practical experiences form a key part of our program.
- Physical Education: Movement, balance, and coordination games promote fitness and fun.
- Golf (Intro): Students learn basic grip, form, and sportsmanship through mini golf-style activities.
- Cooking: Measuring, mixing, and preparing snacks help children learn independence and responsibility.
💕 A Joyful Start to Lifelong Learning
The Kindergarten year is filled with discovery, laughter, and milestones — from learning to read their first books to planting their first garden. Each subject in the syllabus works together to develop a confident, kind, and curious learner ready for the years ahead.
📄 Download the full Kindergarten Syllabus below
🗓 Dougherty Academy Kindergarten 36-Week Plan Overview
Quarter 1 (Weeks 1–9): Foundations & Friendship
- Reading & Phonics: Letter recognition, letter sounds, early sight words
- Writing: Pencil grip, tracing, and drawing stories
- Math: Counting to 20, shapes, and comparing sizes
- Science: Seasons, weather, and exploring nature
- Social Studies: Family, community helpers, and classroom rules
- Art & Music: Colors, rhythm, and free drawing
- Ballet: Posture, balance, and basic steps
- Music Theory: Recognizing rhythm and beats
- Piano: Finger awareness, identifying keys
- Gardening: Planting seeds and caring for plants
- Cooking: Safety and simple snack prep
- Religion: Creation and gratitude
- Spanish & ASL: Greetings, colors, and numbers
- P.E. & Golf: Movement games, balance, and teamwork
Quarter 2 (Weeks 10–18): Building Confidence
- Reading: Blending sounds and sight words
- Writing: Simple sentences and labeling pictures
- Math: Addition to 10, patterns, and time awareness
- Science: Animal life cycles and five senses
- Social Studies: Holidays, maps, and traditions
- Art & Music: Collage, seasonal crafts, and singing
- Ballet & Piano: Coordination, rhythm, and short routines
- Music Theory: Learning simple note values and rests
- Gardening: Watching plants grow, seasonal care
- Cooking: Measuring and following simple recipes
- Religion: Bible stories about kindness and sharing
- Spanish & ASL: Family words and simple phrases
- P.E. & Golf: Coordination drills, swing practice
Quarter 3 (Weeks 19–27): Curiosity & Creativity
- Reading: Early reader books, comprehension questions
- Writing: Journals and creative stories
- Math: Subtraction, graphing, and comparing numbers
- Science: Earth, weather changes, and recycling
- Social Studies: People around the world and cultures
- Art: Painting, textures, and mixed media
- Music: Songs with rhythm instruments
- Ballet & Music Theory: Timing, musical movement, steady beat
- Piano & Violin: Short melodies, coordination
- Gardening: Composting, garden journals
- Cooking: Healthy snacks, baking basics
- Religion: Parables and moral lessons
- Spanish & ASL: Animals and classroom signs
- P.E. & Golf: Team activities and motor skills
Quarter 4 (Weeks 28–36): Mastery & Celebration
- Reading: Review and reading simple storybooks
- Writing: Writing names, full sentences, and short stories
- Math: Review, money, and measurement
- Science: Nature review and plant life
- Social Studies: Community, responsibility, and helping others
- Art & Music: End-of-year projects and performances
- Ballet & Music Theory: Mini performance, identifying notes
- Piano & Violin: Practice for recital songs
- Gardening: Harvest and sustainability
- Cooking: Preparing simple dishes and class party treats
- Religion: Faith, kindness, and reflection
- Spanish & ASL: Review and conversational skills
- P.E. & Golf: Fun review games and outdoor celebration
Free 36 week printable below
🗂 What to Include in a Kindergarten Portfolio
Capturing Growth, Joy, and Discovery at Dougherty Academy
A Kindergarten portfolio is a treasure chest of memories — a collection of work that shows your child’s growth, creativity, and curiosity throughout the school year. At Dougherty Academy, we believe portfolios tell a story that grades and checklists can’t: they show progress in confidence, independence, and imagination.
Below are ideas for what to include in your child’s Kindergarten Portfolio to create a keepsake that celebrates this special first year of learning.
📚 Early Academics
Kindergarten is a year full of firsts — first words, first sentences, first math patterns!
Include:
- Reading & Phonics pages (letter recognition and sight words)
- Writing samples (name writing, first stories, and tracing practice)
- Math activities (shape sorting, counting worksheets, and number crafts)
- Science exploration pages (plant drawings, weather charts, and simple experiments)
- Social Studies projects (family trees, community helper art, and class rule posters)
🎨 Arts & Expression
Creativity blossoms in Kindergarten! Add:
- Art projects: seasonal crafts, drawings, and free-choice paintings
- Music & Ballet photos: performance pictures or reflection pages
- Music Theory & Piano pages: color-coded notes, rhythm drawings
- Violin (Intro): bow practice reflections or music sheets
🌿 Life & Homesteading Skills
Our hands-on life lessons teach responsibility, patience, and joy. Include:
- Gardening journal pages: seed planting, observations, and photos
- Cooking reflections: favorite recipes or photos of snack prep
- Golf & P.E.: practice charts, pictures, or teamwork certificates
💬 Language, Faith & Character
Kindergarten students learn to express kindness and gratitude. Add:
- Spanish & ASL vocabulary pages
- Religion drawings or Bible story reflections
- Character Education pages: kind acts or gratitude journals
🏅 End-of-Year Reflections
Close the portfolio with celebration:
- “My Favorite Part of Kindergarten” page
- “This Year I Learned…” reflection (written or dictated)
- Certificates, art show photos, or a Teacher Letter to parents
💖 A Year to Remember
A Kindergarten portfolio captures more than lessons — it captures heart. Each page tells the story of how your child discovered the joy of learning, the excitement of growth, and the love of community that makes Dougherty Academy so special.
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