Welcome to
Del Mar Hills Academy

Mrs. Hilary Bradshaw

I love every minute of Kindergarten and First Grade! I continue to get excited and have such an appreciation of children at this primary age. I look forward to helping them establish independence in their academic and social skills as they continue to advance their learning. I feel truly honored to participate in the inspiration that will be shared in our learning studio this year.

Kindergartners will begin their Reading journey by securing letter names and sounds and begin to create and write fluent sentences in each of the writing genres. The focus will be on creating a strong foundation in their phonological awareness skills paired with a joy of literature as they set on the path to literacy in the areas of Reading and Writing.

First Graders will continue to develop writing  skills within our three focus areas. Students will expand their fluency as they practice writing Opinion, Narrative, and Expository  pieces. They will be taking a deeper dive into making meaning from various texts and using critical thinking skills in examining text in all forms. The growth is truly amazing in this special, First Grade year. 

Our Kindergarten Mathematicians will build their understanding of numbers through counting, beginning addition and subtraction, and learn how to notate their  thinking, and beginning problem solving skills. Counting Collections will be a staple for the facilitation of their beginning number sense.

First Grade Mathematics is filled with fact fluency, graphing skills, and learning shape characteristics and attributes. Students will really develop problem solving skills in the areas of addition and subtraction, with single and double digit numbers. The emphasis on base ten knowledge will continue to be present as it becomes the foundation for their developing number sense. 

Robust opportunities for igniting genius in Social Studies and Science are prevalent in both Kindergarten and First Grade, as students consistently collaborate  together investigating and experimenting. Kindergarten will experience in Science, learning around the different kinds of weather, pushes and pulls relative to force and motion, and what plants and animals need to survive. Social Studies will bring the understanding of what makes them a good citizen, what are the roles and responsibilities of workers in our communities, and the ability to identify our American symbols. First Grade will engage with historical events, times past and present, and their place in the world. They will continue their thinking around the ever evolving scientific world and the involvement of Animal Structures, Light and Sound, and Our Earth in space. These are just a few scientific subjects that will entice students this year.

I am dedicated to the support of all students in our classroom as they take risks, collaborate, invent, cooperate, critically think, and learn through every modality possible. I love to watch the twinkle in the eyes of my students as they lead each other to greater things.  I work to establish a safe and comfortable learning environment where my students feel secure and encouraged as they confidently reach their goals academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.  We will learn as a community to create a culture that facilitates thinking, sharing, and perseverance as they strive for success as Global Citizens. I will foster each child's love for Reading, Writing,  Mathematics, and our STEAM + subjects through cooperative learning and problem solving. Kindergarten is a magical year, and First Grade is a building block to independence and higher level skills.

With emotional integrity at the forefront, I have always lived by the following philosophy for myself, and I work hard to instill the same in my family, and the students in my learning studio: "Live to learn, laugh and love". Kindergarten and First grade is the beginning of many wonderful accomplishments as we experience together as a classroom family, the awe inspiring realization that each student thrives in their own way. We embrace everyone as a unique and valued individual, and uncover that we can do great things together!

I am looking forward to a fabulous Kindergarten and First Grade year, with all of my students and families!

With Honor and Appreciation,

Mrs. Hilary Bradshaw

hbradshaw@dmusd.org

Del Mar Hills Academy

14085 Mango Drive

Del Mar CA. 92014

(858) 755-9763 ext. #3418