Kindergarten

“Life is a joy, so should be learning.” - Mae Carden

Kindergarten at Highlands Christian School continues to lay the foundation stones of learning through joy filled days as they embark on the next step of their educational journey. Your child is formally introduced to The Carden Reading Method, where students first learn the “Long A” vowel sound and then quickly to words like “cake” and “bake,” where just a letter swapped out makes a whole new word! Students are taught to read through a phonetic approach that emphasizes an understanding of the letter sounds and the combination of these sounds to form words. Through careful reading, listening, correct speaking and clear writing, your child will learn by first using rhythm and then using analysis to understand the connectedness of subjects.

Careful attention is paid to letter formation and handwriting, so that students have a strong foundation of writing as they move into elementary school.

In Science, your child is introduced to ocean life, caves, animals that hibernate, nests, eggs, insects, astronauts and outer space! When studying outer space, the students get the opportunity to make and eat astronaut food.

Students also take part in real world studies through field trips and parties, so your child can see the interconnectedness of classroom studies and the world around them. They will have the opportunity to see a real life working farm and the Dallas World Aquarium, celebrate the Pilgrims and Indians with a Thanksgiving Feast, and celebrate the 100th day of school.

Teacher-led reading time develops vocabulary, reinforces phonics development, encourages rhythmic reading, aids in the organization of ideas and stimulates imagination. While completing their daily “jobs” in a structured classroom setting, students begin to understand how magical learning can be. This gives them a sense of pride and ownership, and they flourish in mastering their tasks.

Weekly music classes allow children to experience the great composers and musical genres of history, while their weekly French classes build the foundation of their future language pursuits.

Children must be 5 years old by September 1.

Michele Patterson

Mrs. Patterson’s philosophy of teaching is to teach the whole child — academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Her classroom is a caring and supportive environment that encourages a love of learning. She provides a balance of expectations, consistency, and structure combined with the right amount of fun!

Mrs. Patterson is a Baylor alumna, and has taught for almost 30 years. She joins HCS from Highlander School, where she taught for 15 years. Mrs. Patterson has a long history of learning and teaching the Carden Method. She learned to read through the Carden Method, as did her two daughters. Mrs. Patterson is happily married to her husband Scott, and they love to travel.

"It was amazing to see my son not only learn to read, but learn to read out loud with confidence over his Kindergarten year with Mrs. Patterson. A year later, he's still reading avidly thanks to her teaching."

“The teachers in Early Childhood make learning fun! In Pre-K, my son was memorizing and reciting nursery rhymes to his class. In Kindergarten, he is learning to not only read, but also spell out words due to the Carden curriculum. The growth in his confidence and self-discipline has been amazing to witness. This isn’t a school; it’s a second home for my children.”