Hailed by renowned educator Deborah Meier as a rare and special pleasure to read, Kindergarten explores a year in the life of a kindergarten classroom through the eyes of the gifted veteran teacher and author Julie Diamond. In this lyrical, beautifully written first-person account, Diamond explains the logic behind the routines and rituals children need to thrive. As she guides us through all aspects of classroom lifethe organization, curriculum, and relationships that create a unique class environmentwe begin to understand what kindergarten can and should be: a culture that builds...

Today's kindergarten teachers face enormous challenges to reach district-mandated academic standards. This book presents a model for 21st-century kindergartens that is rooted in child-centred learning and also shaped by the needs and goals of the present day. Teaching Kindergarten illustrates how a progressive, learning-centred approach can educate the whole child.