Kindergarten ─ A Teacher, Her Students, and a Year of Learning

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 life?the organization, curriculum, and relationships that create a unique class environment?we begin to understand what kindergarten can and should be: a culture that builds children’s desire to understand the world and lays the foundation for lifelong learning.

Kindergarten makes a compelling case for an expansive definition of teaching and learning, one that supports academic achievement without sacrificing students’ curiosity, creativity, or development of social values. Diamond’s celebration of the possibilities of classroom life is a welcome antidote to today’s test-driven climate. Written for parents and teachers alike, Kindergarten offers a rare glimpse into what’s really going on behind the apparent chaos of a busy kindergarten classroom, sharing much-needed insights into how our children can have the best possible early school experiences.

Julie Diamond has taught young children for over twenty-five years in a variety of settings, most recently in the New York City public schools. She has taught curriculum to graduate students at Bank Street College of Education and the City College of New York. She currently supervises student teachers for New York University and City College. Diamond’s published work includes book reviews, short stories, and a critical analysis of education in Pakistan.