Academics

Artist as Teacher

Middle School art teacher Martin Delabano's piece, Family Portrait: 1963, is installed at the Center for Creative Connections (C3) at the Dallas Museum of Art. His piece is used as inspiration for visitors to create works of art. Look for it the next time you're at the DMA!

Caruth Photo Exhibition

Conversation

Each spring, Dallas philanthropist W.W. Caruth, III visits St. John’s, bringing exotic photographs and tales of his extensive travels. From a camel fair in India to Carnivale in Venice, he charms students with his stories, pictures and presence.

View the catalog and purchase a signed photograph from the exhibition of Alaska: The Last Frontier.

The Conversation by William Caruth above

Kindergarten Academic Program

Language Arts

Kindergarten utilizes a workshop approach to help children see themselves as readers and writers and to practice those skills at their own level. Reader’s workshop includes guided and shared reading experiences, songs and poems, and other vocabulary building activities. Students also work independently and in small groups on decoding, fluency, and comprehension strategies. Word study occurs through whole class and small group instruction, games, and activities. Young, emerging writers hone their skills during writer’s workshop, which encourages students to enjoy writing and making books. Handwriting is taught through fine motor activities and games designed to strengthen the hands and to teach correct letter formation and hand position when writing.

Math

Kindergartners experience math as part of their everyday work and play through centers, mathematical games and daily routines. Students are exposed to basic math concepts such as counting by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s; estimating; comparing numbers (equal to, greater than, and less than); reading and writing numbers; solving one-digit addition and subtraction problems; collecting, organizing, and analyzing data through graphing and simple probability; measuring (using both standard and non-standard tools); exploring 2- and 3-dimensional shapes; patterning; and sorting. Topics are introduced and revisited frequently to encourage retention of skills and development of a strong foundation for future mathematical understanding.

Science

The kindergarten science program utilizes a hands-on approach to learning. Students explore and discover scientific principles through centers and experimentation. Topics include the human body, care of pets, construction, collections of nature, air and water, and light and color.

Social Studies

The kindergarten social studies program looks at the relationships of the ever-expanding world. Discussion and activities explore students’ relationship with their friends, family, their neighborhood community and the world at large. By studying traditional holidays, their own culture, and the culture of other countries, students become aware of the interdependence of people and their environment. The interdisciplinary curriculum often involves art, cooking, dramatic play and field trips.