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Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum Guide
Religion:
Children are introduced to our Catholic faith through the God Made the World curriculum. The emphasis is on caring about one another. The children are encouraged, praised and rewarded for helping others and showing kindness. The class participates in group discussions, songs and stories about good and bad choices. The following prayers are taught: The Sign of the Cross, Grace, The Hail Mary, The Glory Be, The Our Father, and The Guardian Angel.
Social Studies:
Children are just beginning to understand that they are part of a bigger world. Community is emphasized. We explore other countries through food, art and music.
Math:
Children begin the year with an introduction to shapes, spatial relationships, size, weight, and patterns. Math is taught through “hands-on” experiences and students are introduced to “Math Their Way” materials. As the year progresses, more abstract concepts are introduced including simple addition and subtraction, fractions (half/whole), money, and time. All activities are enriched with age appropriate worksheets.
Science:
Science units are based upon Natural Science topics such as plant growth, human growth, health and safety, dinosaurs, new life, butterflies, weather, solid/liquid experiments and color. All projects are “hands-on” and allow children time to explore materials.
Language Arts:
Children are given time for dramatic play, group discussions, individual sharing times and begin to learn the “magic” that will enable to read! Whole language and phonics are used as instructional techniques for the children to explore the alphabet and beginning letter sounds based upon their personal development. In addition, students are exposed to the Pre-K edition of the Weekly Reader and several reading series.
Penmanship:
Our students use the same text book as our Kindergarten students. Practice really does make perfect in this area of children’s development. Our emphasis is centered on small motor control, holding a pencil correctly, and writing out names in capital and lower case D’Nealian letters.
Activities:
The Pre-Kindergarten curriculum focuses a great deal on developing happy independent learners. A number of developmental centers have been established to help the child learn through experiences. Here are a few examples of the learning centers used in Pre-Kindergarten: Computers, reading, art easel, craft table and the listening corner.
Music:
Students participate in singing and musical games, focusing on awareness of Beat, Rhythm, and Melody. Singing will enhance awareness of the sound of their own voices and how to improve the singing sound. Class participation will foster group participation and the idea of working together for a common goal. Games and handling rudimentary instruments will help students develop Beat awareness and readiness (also important for preparing to learn to read in regular class.) Much of the class is intended to help learn cooperation with others and working for a common goal.
P.E.
The emphasis during the course of the year is large motor development through planned recess times, music exploration and general movement activities. The school P.E. teacher does visit our classroom once a week for “formal” P.E. instruction and exploration.
Computer Technology:
Children have the opportunity to experience “hands-on” introduction to the keyboard. We have a variety of Math, Language Arts, and educational programs as well as Art and Health related CD’s for the children to explore using the computer.
Health:
Children learn how to stay healthy. How eating good foods, washing our hands and taking care of ourselves when ill, help our bodies to grow.
Message to Parents:
Pre-K is a very exciting place! Your child’s natural sense of
wonder and eagerness to learn will be nurtured and cared for daily. You
are making a very important decision for your family and we understand
and appreciate your commitment to your child’s education.
February 2005