Kindergarten

Anser Kindergarten is M-F 8:45am-3:45pm. This all day program is tuition-free thanks to a 3-year grant from the JA and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation.

Using the Idaho State Standards to guide us, we teach intentionally and thoughtfully. This is done through free playtime and play-based opportunities for children to experiment and be creative with skills. There is time for children to choose what they will work on along with a balance of adult guided direct-instruction activities that are engaging to them and adaptable to their varying readiness.

Why full day Kindergarten? 

Kindergarten children need extra time to process in most areas of learning. At times a child might just begin an activity when it is time to clean up.  The time added to our day will give each child more opportunity to experience the arts that are at times, cut short due to other curriculum expectations needing to be taught. Enriching art opportunities are another way children are able to learn and experience their world and express emotion. There will be far fewer limitations to our fieldwork travel and time spent on location with all day kindergarten. Additionally, teachers and students will be able to more deeply explore academic areas of literacy, mathematics and expedition, while providing important free play time for the children.

Expedition: Bird Exploration

Each year, kindergartners engage in a year-long study of birds — ideal for this age group because birds are readily experienced in everyday life. The expedition’s guiding questions are:

• What makes a bird a bird?
• Why protect birds?

Kindergartners use these questions to guide their exploration in studying birds. They will learn bird identification skills and discover the habits, needs and joys of birds, not only in their backyard, but in other parts of the world, too. Through habitat improvement, research and service, the kindergartners will learn about the natural world, the fragile existence of wildlife and the need to be caretakers of living things.