Academics

Science: Science is taught through hands-on experiences and literature. We learn about weather, animals, and insects. We observe the life cycle of a butterfly in real life, and then release them. We plant seeds and watch them grow. Students practice making hypotheses in class, and then test to see whether or not they were correct. Students are exposed to a rich variety of science-related vocabulary words.

Reading: Early reading skills are taught through nursery rhymes and rhyming songs, repetitive stories, as well as direct instruction on letters and sounds. Since children learn differently, I use a multi-sensory approach to teach letters. We say them (hearing), name them (sight), make them with playdough or draw them in sand or shaving cream (touch), and eat them in alphabet soup or letter fries (taste)! Students are assessed 4 times a year on letter/sound progress, and copies are given to parents.

Math: Children will be taught shapes, counting, sorting,and patterning through lessons and practice activities. Math instruction is primarily hands-on through the use of manipulatives, however, identification of numerals, and later on, writing of numerals, will also be taught. Of course, math occurs spontaneously throughout the day, and you are likely to find us counting how many friends are at the table, or telling what shapes we see on our snack plate!

Handwriting: Handwriting begins with tracing, which builds dexterity and eye-hand coordination, and prepares the student for writing letters. Later on, students will be instructed on proper formation of all of the letters of the alphabet (upper and lower-case) and numerals through ten. Students will generally do one writing worksheet per day.

Social Skills

Social skills: There are thousands of social interactions that take place during one preschool class; some of them spoken, many through body language. It is my job as the teacher to be a role model for positive social interactions, as well as teaching the children specific strategies for getting along with others. Some of the skills we work on are sharing, asking for what we want, using good manners, turn-taking, and telling others how what they are doing makes us feel.

Field Trips: Field trips are an excellent way for families to get to know eachother better. Children have an opportunity to experience new things that they could not have in the classroom. It builds wonderful memories, and becomes an integral part of future classroom discussions.

Holiday Parties: This is a special and fun time for children to celebrate with their classmates! They learn about the meaning of holidays, and how they are traditionally celebrated in our country. We will often sing songs, eat food, and do artwork that relates to the holiday. This increases each child's depth of understanding about the holidays.

Show and Tell: This builds self-esteem and confidence. It allows children the opportunity to practice effective communication with peers and adults, such as eye contact and speaking clearly. It brings the class closer together as we learn about eachother (listening), show interest in eachother (asking questions about eachothers item), and appreciate eachother (applause). It also gives children the opportunity to practice listening skills.

The Arts

Music: This includes song, dance, fingerplays, movement, and musical instruments. Music integrates the left and right side of the brain. When we are involved in music, our brains are fully functional! Music helps us to remember, it uplifts, relieves stress, and unites us as we sing the same words and tune together. In my preschool, children will learn about and play a variety of musical instruments, and also make their own instrument. We sing and move every day, and enjoy listening to many different types of music throughout the year!

Cooking: Children love to cook! They build sensory skills as we smell, taste, and describe the ingredients. Children learn about sequencing as we follow a recipe step-by-step. They are exposed to measurement units, such as cups, tablespoons, etc. Children practice turn-taking (whose turn is it to pour in the ingredients, whose turn is it to stir?) and at the end, they enjoy eating the final product!

Art Projects: Art comes as naturally for children as the air they breathe. In my preschool, they will experience several art mediums, such as tempera, fingerpaint, chalk, markers, crayons, colored pencils, playdough, clay, and many more. Art builds a child's self concept. It allows them to practice decision- making, eye-hand coordination, and to learn about colors. It is an excellent sensory experience, often involving sight, touch, smell, sound, and occasionally even taste! At the end, they can experience the satisfaction and pride of having created something that is uniquely their own.

Strength Builders

Play Dough: Play dough is important! It builds hand strength and eye- hand coordination. It promotes imagination and creativity. It develops problem-solving abilities as well as social skills as children communicate with others about what they are doing. These are just a few highlights; play dough helps develop many other critical skills that are too numerous to list here!

Outdoor Play: Through outdoor play activities, preschoolers are developing their large (gross) motor skills. They experience nature and weather. The play yard is an excellent "open forum" for preschoolers to apply all of the social skills they are being taught in class. Of course, they can also imagine, create, and burn off extra energy!

Scissor Skills: I teach a developmental cutting program. This means that each cutting activity will be slightly more challenging than the previous one. Through scissor skill activities, children will increase eye-hand coordination. They will build hand/wrist strength and dexterity. Cutting practice helps to build foundational skills needed for writing.