Kindergarten
Welcome to Kindergarten!
My name is Shelby Thiner and I grew up in St. James, MN. After graduating from high school, I attended and graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education (birth-3rd grade) and a Reading Licensure (kindergarten-12th grade). I also received a Master’s Degree in Education along with a Catholic School Leadership Certificate through Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Throughout my teaching journey I have taught either kindergarten or preschool in Ivanhoe, Jackson, and Jordan. I enjoy being here in Fairmont and teaching at SJV! During my spare time I enjoy reading, baking, listening to music, shopping, and spending time by the lake!
Our Approach
In kindergarten at SJV your kindergartener will learn a lot and have fun! In math we learn about numbers, measurement, shapes, time, money, and simple addition and subtraction. In reading we have both whole group and small group lessons. These lessons include reviewing uppercase and lowercase letters along with letter sounds, sounding out new words and reading common words for kindergarteners. We also cover vocabulary words and your standard reading skills. We also spend a lot of time learning about phonics and grammar. Occasionally, your kindergartener will get the opportunity to further their knowledge of math and reading on iPads. In kindergarten we also learn about social studies, science, and handwriting. We follow the D’Nealian handwriting series. In religion we learn about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Mary, Saints, Advent, Lent, Christmas, and Easter. We also cover respect, kindness, empathy, friendship, prayer, and the “Golden Rule”. Your kindergartener will also learn responsibility when given the opportunity to be the “Teacher’s Helper for the Day.”
The kindergarteners have PE every day, music three times a week, and library, computer lab and art once a week. Every week each kindergartener will have the opportunity to bring an item from home to share with their classmates. The kindergarteners get the opportunity to lead a prayer service. Also, at the end of the school year, the kindergarteners get an opportunity to be responsible for Mass parts and participate in a community service project. Besides everything we cover in kindergarten, your kindergartener will also get some playtime each day in the afternoon, as playtime is important to teach kindergarteners social skills.
As being a part of SJV, your child will have many opportunities to bond with their classmates and other students at SJV throughout whole school activities and weekly Mass.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
