We are excited to begin our second year of  Sonshine Patch Kindergarten for children!  We include aspects and approaches that make our kindergarten unique and superior in quality. Our kindergarten contains EXPERIENTIAL teaching which gets children out of their chairs and desks and INTO their learning opportunities!

Monday-Friday   5 days/week    9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Tuition-$295.00/month
Book Fee

Experiential curriculum
Most European languages use 2 different words for kinds of knowledge.  The German words are "Kenntnis" or "to know by experience" and "Wissenshaft" meaning "to know about something.  Children must have a rich, interactive sensory environment-touching, smelling, seeing. hearing the real world  n order for the child's brain and mind to develop properly.  Unfortunately much of that has been sacrificed to newer, more "efficient" and test friendly teaching.  Without such real world experiences, the child's cognitive development and the development of a lively passionate curiosity for learning will be impaired.  Kids need to experience the real world.  Our kindergarten curriculum strives to be as much "Kenntnis" as possible so children EXPERIENCE learning. 

Incorporating Gender Differences
Dr. Leonard Sax, author of "Why Gender Matters" and executive director of he National Association for Single Sex Public Education, spoke in Janesville in 2007.  After extensive study of his and other research, indicating that boys and girls need to be taught differently in the classroom to maximize each child's potential, we have adopted gender friendly teaching techniques in our classroom.  We have also developed some of our own materials that have proven to excite both the boys and the girls and make learning appropriate for both sexes.

Small Class Sizes
Our class is limited to 12 students, allowing for maximum individualized instruction.  Miss Jenni Osborn is a DPI licensed teacher with her degree in Early Childhood, Kindergarten and Elementary Education.  In addition, since we do not need to adjust our schedules to fit in specialty teachers as public schools do, our core classes, Phonics, Reading and Math are always held in the morning when children are freshest.

 Guest visits by the Loveable Letter Puppets!
We use Jolly Phonics and Harcourt Brace Reading Series, as does Janesville Public School. However, our foundation is the Christian principles that our preschool is founded on, beginning our day with worship and prayer.  Our Loveable Letter puppets from our Getting Ready for Kindergarten class make trips down the hall to our kindergarten class.

 Love and Logic Classroom Management Strategies
All of our teachers are trained in Love and Logic teaching techniques, creating consistent classroom management strategies.  With this type of secure environment, children can feel comfortable learning from mistakes. They are ten able to develop good decision making and problem solving skills while teachers use empathy to raise the odds of their taking responsibility for their actions.  Love and Logic parenting classes are offered at a discount to Sonshine Patch parents.

  Founded on Christian Principles & Beliefs.
Our days begin with worship and prayer time, during which we lift up children's individual prayer requests.  As in our preschool, Christian teachings are woven within our entire curriculum, since we want children to see Jesus as the center of every part of their lives.  However, each month we focus on one of the fruits of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.  Our Christian Education time includes Bible stories from the old and new testaments about how God demonstrated these, how people live them in their interactions with each other, and how we, as Christians, can let those fruits grow in our individual lives.  In our Social Studies class, as we learn about people all over the world, we invite missionaries to our classes to share first hand knowledge.

Kindergarten subjects 

Reading-we use Harcourt Brace Reading Series as well as many other developmentally appropriate materials

Phonics-Our Phonics curriculum is Jolly Phonics, as well as our Loveable Letter Puppet curriculum

Mathematics-Our math curriculum really brings everyday experiences into mathematics learning.  We opted for this program instead of the public school curriculum becasue we believe it fits better into our philosophy of hands-on, experiential learning.

Penmanship/Journal Writing-Children continue learning to print using the D'Nealian handwriting.  Our Loveable Letter puppets also show up during our creative group story writing times.  Each child has a personal journal for story recording and writing.

Christian Education-Though Christian teachings are woven throughout our entire curriculum, our Christian Education time will be devoted to Bible stories from the old and new testament.  Each month our stories focus on a different fruit of the Spirit. September begins our year with "KINDNESS" as we begin our year together.  October emphasizes "SELF-CONTROL" as we learn to apply ourselves to our studies.  November demonstrates the "GOODNESS" of God as we are thankful for His blessings and December will portray the ultimate gift of "LOVE" in the birth of the Son of God.  In January, we learn more about the Prince of "PEACE" while February emphasizes "GENTLENESS".  As we prepare for Easter, March focuses on the  "FAITHFULNESS" of our Savior, and April brings the "JOY" of a risen Lord.  In May, we learn how God demonstrates "PATIENCE" with us as we seek to grow in His image.

Social Studies- During our time learning about our place in God's world, we enjoy map puzzles and games of the United States, the World and the cities of Milton and Janesville.  We begin map reading skills as we take a field trip and map out where each child lives.  As we learn about other customs in other countries, we recall Jesus' Great Commission to "'Go into all the world  and make disciples".  We enjoy visitors who have taken mission trips to visit our class and share about those countries.

Science-Our Science classes have a very hands on approach with lots of experiments and discoveries. We use Macmillan Science and Kidsparkz Super Science as well as many other materials

Music-Much of our music is integrated into every area of our curriculum, based on research that shows the benefits of using music as a teaching tool.  In addition, we offer enjoyment of musical instruments  and ballet, such as "The Nutcracker", "Peter and the Wolf" and "Carnival of the Animals".  Our classes include exploration and experiencing different music styles, learning rhythm, dynamics, tempo, pitch of music by moving and experiencing it.  Most of all, we want children to ENJOY music as they move, create, and sing..all the while developing the full potential of their minds!  Our kindergarteners especially like the song "Kiss Your Brain"!
Did you know:
Up to 90% of the brain is used when a child actively participates in music.  Math (the next highest area
uses only 76%.
Retention is increased by 50% when a movement/music component is added to any learning experience.
Some neural pathways are only connected during musical activities and once connected they stay connected.
Many pre-reading skills are part of music: rhyme, sequencing, pattern, rhythm, eye-hand coordination, and crossing the midline.
Because music is a whole brain activity, it stimulates development of both hemispheres of the brain.

Art Education-Besides really enjoying a wide variety of art media, we  learn about famous artists such as Monet, Picasso, Matisse, Da Vinci and Rembrandt and try out their media and techniques.  One of our kindergarteners was proudly heard to say,  "This is MY Picasso!"

Physical Education-Our physical education program includes group games, tumbling, adn individual physical developments.  The huge gymnasium at New Life is perfect for these and other activities.  We use state benchmarks for skills.

Young Spanish-Though a separate afternoon this year, next year we will integrate our Spanish class into the regular classroom schedule.
Top Benefits of Early Language Learning:
Higher test scores
Better and more advanced reading skill
Greater confidence
Gives brain a boost
Greater grasp of one's first language-including a bigger, richer vocabulary