A Kindergartener's Day

Students arrive between 7:15 - 7:30 a.m. and start their day in the Chinese classroom.

VAIS is part of the school district’s free breakfast program. Every student can have a nourishing start to the day. 

Students begin their day with community building time usually as a class meeting. Everyone gets a chance to speak in Chinese about the chosen topic in a fun and engaging way. Topics include self introduction, greetings, calendar, weather, and more as students’ Chinese vocabulary expands.

Students are introduced to Chinese vocabulary in thematic units (family, numbers, animals, etc.). The teacher may use technology and online learning activities to engage students and gather immediate feedback on student understanding and progress.

Students at VAIS participate in art, music, library, and physical education each week.

After the teacher introduces new concepts, students break into small groups and rotate through several math centers. The teacher is available to work with students in small groups and challenge each of them academically.

The students go to recess followed by lunch available for purchase from school or lunch brought from home depending on family preferences. Students return from lunch and find a quiet spot in the room to read, draw, or rest. Rest time is more common during the first month of school when children are still adjusting to a full day of learning.

Students start the second half of their day in the English classroom. Often this is when social studies lessons are integrated into the day. The class might discuss a historical figure, learn about another country, or explore the globe.

Kindergartners also learn English Language Arts using a structured literacy format. This includes systematic, explicit instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, and writing.

Kindergartners play outside (weather permitting) in age-appropriate areas of the playground with K-1 students. A recess teacher provides supervision during this time.

School is dismissed at 2:25 p.m.