KINDERGARTEN

RAA offers a K-1 (pre-kindergarten) and a K-2 program. While there is ample play time in the kindergarten classes, the program is more academially driven than is typical. RAA tests each child at the beginning of the year to determine which level is appropriate.

K-1 children learn their alphabet, the letters, and associated sounds (or phonics). They learn how to write their numbers and the sequence of numbers. They also learn their colors. For each of these subjects, they have a special paper to work on. If a child becomes frustrated at any point, the teacher stops. The teacher reads to K-1 children while holding up the book for them to see.

K-2 children begin a reading program. The teacher presents a book a week, which they read together, taking a page a day. Phonics are part of this process. K-2 students read to the teacher and to the K-1 children. K-2 students are exposed to other subjects including math, English, science, social studies, art, and music. If a K-2 student becomes frustrated, the teacher stops and approaches the subject from a different angle.

RAA encourages parents to read to their children. Both K-1 and K-2 use an incentive program to reward children for the books that are read to them. Children receive a sticker for every four books. When they have 25 stickers, they get a free book.

The Bible program includes role playing with different Bible characters, memory verses, daily worship and singing.

RAA places an emphasis on quiet, considerate behavior. "Good behavior gets rewarded," says teacher Vera Carson, who was named KRCR-TV "Teacher of the Week" her first year teaching. Each child has a behavior chart with three colors. Green signifies good behavior. If a child gets a warning for out-of-control behavior, the child goes to the chart and changes the color to yellow. Red shows that the child has not corrected the negative behavior.

RAA Kindergarten classes take five or six field trips a year going to places such as PetCo, the Pumpkin Patch, Turtle Bay, a hospital and Safeway to see what community workers do.

Teacher Vera Carson says, "it's amazing to see the difference in children from the first to the end of the year. Parents will say to me, 'what happened to my baby?!'"