Junior Kindergarten, 4 Year Old Class

Brandie Martin
Junior Kindergarten 4

“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 4
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 We Express Ourselves: An inquiry into the idea that we can express traditions, values, characters and actions through stories.

How We Express Ourselves: An inquiry into the idea that we can express traditions, values, characters and actions through stories.

Who We Are: An inquiry into the idea that our attitudes and actions make a difference to our families and friends, with an in-depth look at being part of a family, qualities of friendship and how our actions and attitudes affect others.

Who We Are: An inquiry into the idea that our attitudes and actions make a difference to our families and friends, with an in-depth look at being part of a family, qualities of friendship and how our actions and attitudes affect others.

How the World Works: An inquiry into the idea that all living things grow and change, with an in-depth look at life cycles, needs of organisms and observable patterns.

How the World Works: An inquiry into the idea that all living things grow and change, with an in-depth look at life cycles, needs of organisms and observable patterns.

How We Organize Ourselves: An inquiry into the idea that within our community, there are people who help others. There is an in-depth look at the tools community helpers use and how they work alongside them.

How We Organize Ourselves: An inquiry into the idea that within our community, there are people who help others. There is an in-depth look at the tools community helpers use and how they work alongside them.