Junior Kindergarten, 3 Year Old Class

Brandie Martin
Junior Kindergarten 3

Hanna Hurd
Junior Kindergarten 3 Assistant

“Children learn through play.” I see this daily as the Junior Kindergarten Teacher Assistant and it is an integral part of my passion with teaching preschool.

Originally from Morganton, my family and I moved back in 2014 to be closer to family and the mountains. We feel so lucky to have found MDS and to be a part of this community. My children attend MDS and I am privileged to have been a teacher at MDS for a decade where each student can thrive in an authentic hands-on learning environment.

With my B.A. in English Education, B.A. in English, and a minor in History from Appalachian State University, I taught 5 years in the NC public school system.  After the first part of my teaching career, I acquired my Master’s of Library and Information Studies and worked in various positions for 9 years in public libraries from children’s programming, circulation and reference positions, to library branch manager.  Along with my extensive learning through various trainings, webinars, and conferences, I am currently pursuing an additional degree in Early Childhood Education.

Junior Kindergarten 3 Units of Inquiry

Throughout each day, we teach key skills in social-emotional intelligence; such as: expressing our emotions through communication, listening to others, working together as a team and compassion for others.

How Our World Works: An inquiry into the natural world exploring animal characteristics, their environments and offspring.

How Our World Works: An inquiry into the natural world exploring animal characteristics, their environments and offspring.

How We Organize Ourselves: An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities: the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making: economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.

How We Organize Ourselves: An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities: the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making: economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.

How We Express Ourselves: An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.

How We Express Ourselves: An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.

Who We Are: An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social, and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means t

Who We Are: An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social, and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.