2013-2014

Pre-K Curriculum Description

General Information
Our pre-kindergarten curriculum is developmentally appropriate providing for all areas of a childs development: spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and cognitive through an integrated approach. The learning activities and materials are concrete, real, and relevant to the lives of our young children. A variety of individual, small group, and large group activities are incorporated into the daily program. Our classroom environment provides opportunity for children to learn through active exploration and interaction with adults, other children and materials. Our Early Childhood program recognizes that play is an important avenue for learning Academics are incorporated into unit themes of study. This enables the children to receive an integrated experience that enhances thinking skills and creativity rather than exclusively promoting the rote memorization of facts. Daily activities include circle time, which includes calendar time, pledges to the American flag, the Christian Flag and to the Bible. Center times incorporate math and language arts activities as well as our thematic units. Enrichment activities include art, music, PE and library opportunities.

Handwriting

Pre-kindergarten through first grade utilizes the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum. This developmental approach provides one of the foundational skills of language development. Our goal is to help students learn proper handwriting habits (ie. posture, paper and pencil skills) that will transfer to all of their writing experiences.

Mathematics

Students are introduced to mathematic concepts through hands-on learning centers. Centers are designed to develop an understanding and insight related to the patterns in math through the use of concrete materials. Emphasis is given to shapes, objects positions, and size.

Social Studies and Science

Bible

Our Bible curriculum is Walking With God and His People, by Christian Schools International. The goals of the curriculum are to provide opportunities to begin establishing the authority of the Word of God, develop some knowledge of Bible stories, and focus awareness on principles of Christian living. It focuses on familiar childrens stories of the Bible such as creation, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David and Jesus.

In the pre-kindergarten curriculum, we examine the theme of All about Me, and discover how God has created each of us uniquely. Following this unit we practice Busy Bee Manners which teaches us how to get along with others with care and respect. Flowing from this, we look for opportunities to serve others both inside and outside our school. Throughout the year, we introduce a taste of farm life, the first Americans, different kinds of transportation, and how to keep our bodies healthy. In the spring, our unit is Over in the Meadow where we explore plants, bugs, insects, and different animals.

Language Arts
Phonemic Awareness
The language arts approach incorporates thematic units centered on the letter of the week. Various types of prereading skills are daily presented to the children. Oral language development is encouraged through centers and through circle time. Children are introduced to nursery rhymes, finger plays, and songs that encourage students to hear rhyming words and to increase vocabulary. Reading comprehension strategies are taught by modeling thinking with the use of picture books and other literature. Students will deepen their understanding of text by making connections, visualizing, and asking questions.