Dolphin Room
Ready for tomorrow, thriving today — kindergarten preparation through joyful, project-based learning.
About This Classroom
Ready for Kindergarten and Beyond
The Dolphin Room is where four-year-olds discover what they are truly capable of. Confident, verbal, social, and brimming with ideas, they are ready for deeper learning — and our Dolphin Room meets them with exactly that.
Project-based learning anchors the Dolphin curriculum. Children pursue multi-week investigations into topics that captivate them — whether it's how bridges are built, where butterflies come from, or how a garden grows. These projects weave together literacy, math, science, art, and social studies in a way that feels organic and exciting.
Advanced literacy skills — recognizing sight words, writing their names and simple words, retelling stories with detail — are developed through daily reading and writing activities. STEM foundations are embedded throughout: measuring, predicting, building, coding concepts, and scientific thinking are part of every week.
Leadership and responsibility take on real meaning in the Dolphin Room. Children take turns as classroom helpers, lead circle-time portions, and mentor their own problem-solving — building the executive function and self-regulation skills that predict kindergarten success.
As a cooperative classroom, parent members are present and engaged, modeling real-world skills and deepening the community that makes UPNS so special.
Classroom Info
Daily Routine
A Day in the Dolphin Room
A rich, purposeful day that blends structure with exploration and independence.
Arrival & Morning Work
Journaling, reading, fine motor work — children settle in with purposeful independent activities.
Morning Meeting
Full-group gathering with calendar, news sharing, read-aloud, and launch of the day's investigations.
Project Work & Centers
Deep learning time — literacy centers, math activities, science experiments, writing, and project research.
Outdoor Play & PE
Structured games, free play, team activities, and gross motor challenges that build coordination and cooperation.
Snack & Community Time
Family-style snack with rich conversation, news sharing, and building the Dolphin Room community.
Creative Arts & Special Projects
Studio art, music, drama, or project presentations — children share their learning with the community.
Closing Circle & Reflection
What did we learn today? Children reflect, share, and prepare for a strong send-off into the afternoon.
What Children Learn
Learning Focus Areas
The Dolphin Room curriculum is designed to build the knowledge, skills, and dispositions children need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.
Advanced Literacy
Sight word recognition, phonics, writing name and simple words, retelling stories with detail, and a genuine love of reading.
Mathematical Thinking
Number sense, addition and subtraction concepts, measurement, geometry, and data — embedded in meaningful, real-world contexts.
STEM Foundations
Scientific method basics, engineering challenges, coding concepts, and hands-on experiments that build lifelong curiosity.
Project-Based Learning
Multi-week investigations that integrate all subject areas around captivating real-world topics chosen by the class.
Leadership & Responsibility
Classroom jobs, helping younger children, taking initiative, and practicing the executive function skills needed for kindergarten.
Critical Thinking
Problem-solving, asking why, evaluating ideas, and collaborating on challenges that require flexible, creative thinking.
Kindergarten Ready
Dolphin Room graduates leave UPNS academically prepared, socially confident, and emotionally ready for the exciting journey ahead. Our alumni thrive in kindergartens throughout the Los Angeles area.
Your Child's Team
Meet the Dolphin Room Teachers
Highly credentialed educators with a passion for preparing children to leap confidently into kindergarten and beyond.
Jennifer Williams
Lead Teacher
M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction, ECE Specialist
Jennifer is a gifted project-based learning educator with 12 years of experience preparing four-year-olds for kindergarten success. Her Dolphin Room investigations are legendary at UPNS — children have studied everything from ocean ecosystems to how cities work. She holds an ECE specialist credential and is a National Board Certified Teacher.
Michael Torres
Assistant Teacher
B.S. Child & Adolescent Development
Michael brings a background in STEM education and a contagious excitement for science and math to the Dolphin Room. He designs the weekly science experiments and engineering challenges that have children talking about school all weekend. His patience and humor make the Dolphin Room a place every child looks forward to each morning.
Enroll in the Dolphin Room
Set your four-year-old up for an extraordinary kindergarten experience. Apply today or contact us to schedule a visit.