Picture a day filled with laughter, learning, and boundless curiosity. That is a typical day in the life of a kindergartener at BASIS Independent Manhattan. With our small class sizes, outstanding teacher-student ratio, and world-inspired curriculum, we believe in nurturing the whole child through joyful teaching, social-emotional learning, and support for students to achieve their highest potential.
Let us peek into a typical day and find out more about what it is like to be a BASIS Independent Manhattan kindergartner.
A Schedule Built for Success
Our thoughtfully designed daily schedule ensures a balanced blend of academics, social-emotional learning, and physical activity.
8:00 a.m. Morning Meeting
The day begins with community time in Morning Meeting, where routines like discussing the date, weather, and daily schedule set the tone for learning. Then, kindergarteners dive into a focused math block. On any given day they could cover lessons like adding two numbers, subtracting zero, and subtracting a number from itself. They also use tactile activities to learn how to tell time, skip count, measure, or understand the value of coins.
a positive behavior reinforcement system that motivates students to earn points for rewards such as a class party, extra recess, or prizes.
Our Early Learning Expert Teachers (LET) implement differentiation by splitting the class into two groups based on level to provide support and advancement. For example, those eager learners ready for a higher-level concept take on the “Top Ten” grade 1 level problems that prepare them for the next academic year. These activities not only reinforce learning but also motivate students with opportunities to earn Dojo points.
Recess (15 mins)
Now it is time to get outside and get moving! Students head to our spacious outdoor terrace where they have active playtime (developing essential gross motor skills), while also navigating social dynamics (learning the importance of cooperation, sharing, and conflict resolution). After expending the necessary energy, they are ready to return to academics.
9:25 AM – Mandarin and Essentials
Mandarin lessons come alive through singing, storytelling, and hands-on crafts, that immerse students in the vibrant Chinese culture. They actively engage both sides of their brains through visual and creative activities, helping them think critically and connect ideas across different subjects.
The arts are just as important as academics, and students benefit from a daily rotation of our Essentials classes, which include drama, music, visual arts, and engineering. Our unique two-teacher model allows students to dive deep into these subjects with our Subject Expert Teachers (SETs), who have specialized degrees in their respective fields.
10:25 AM – Literacy
Kindergarteners explore storytelling and start writing! A special “Writing Boot Camp” has our budding authors tackling missions to earn star badges. They brainstorm imaginative story ideas, plan narratives, create sentences, and identify nouns and verbs.
Students take on exciting writing adventures, crawl through obstacle courses, go on sentence-fixing hunts, and don ‘writer’s helmets’ for inspiration. By the end of an exhilarating week of boot camp, students have reviewed sentence writing fundamentals and can proudly craft a personal narrative’s beginnings.
11:30 AM – Lunch and Recess
Lunch is a time for social connections, whether students bring meals from home or enjoy healthy options from our partner, Butter Beans. Then, more outdoor play!
12:25 PM – Phonics & Centers
At BASIS Independent Manhattan, we use the Logic of English and Heggerty programs to help students master phonics, surpass reading benchmarks, and build confidence in reading, writing, and spelling. Each day, a “Heggerty Hero” leads a fun warm-up to practice phonemic awareness, with one standout student earning the coveted Hedgie the hedgehog as a reward.
1:30 PM – Physical Education
Having daily P.E. classes means more than just exercise. Here, coaches instill valuable life skills like teamwork, sportsmanship, and following instructions while fostering a love of movement and healthy habits.
Recess (15 mins)
Another chance to recharge with fresh air and free play!
2:30 PM – Civics, History & Science Foundation
These blocks cover everything from space, oceans, and continents, to world discovery and history. Lessons often follow student interests, keeping curiosity at the heart of learning.
One final period allows for activities or crafts. Each Friday, a parent/guardian surprises the class with a read-aloud session in a Mystery Reader series, fostering family involvement in the classroom and a love for reading!
Cross-Curricular Learning in Action
In one interdisciplinary project, kindergarten became ‘Detectives in Training’ seamlessly combining math and literacy to solve a mystery. Using the 5 Ws (Who, What, When, Where, Why), they analyzed clues, solved math challenges, and honed literacy skills like making inferences. This activity exemplifies how our curriculum fosters critical thinking and demonstrates the interconnectedness of different subjects.
Learning Through Play: A Holistic Approach
At BASIS Independent Manhattan, learning is joyful and engaging. Our curriculum is designed to foster a love of learning while nurturing the whole child. By blending advanced academics, social-emotional learning, and creative exploration, our kindergartners develop a strong foundation for future success.
