PreK4: An Overview of the Curriculum
August 22, 2008 | Print This Homework Post
Dear Families,
I feel very privileged to be your child’s preschool teacher this year. I am excited about the curriculum that we will be using and would like to share a little information about the programs that we have chosen.
For phonics, reading readiness, and handwriting we will be using a very well respected program called Zoo Phonics. It is time tested and very kid friendly with an emphasis on making the activities age appropriate. What makes this program so successful is that it is multisensory. The children will be speaking, listening, singing, feeling, and moving. The more modes of sensory input, the better. We will start out the year learning letter sounds and how to write lowercase letters. The second half of the year I will introduce capital letters and by the end of the year, those that are ready will be putting together basic three letter words. I look forward to sharing more about this program with you as the year progresses.
For math we will be using Saxon K. At this level, it is auditory and manipulative based. This is a survey course that introduces them to many different math concepts such as sorting, acting out story problems, shapes, money, time, measuring, geoboards, and more. There is also a strong emphasis on calendar activities, which will introduce them the days of the week and months of the year, as well as weather, graphing, patterning, and skip counting.
We will be using the Little Saints- A Catholic Preschool Program as a supplement. Each week has a theme such as “Fun on the Farm” or “Planets and Stars”. Our storytime books will be drawn mostly from this program, as well as crafts and learning games that tie into the theme. The class will listen to classical music recommendations and will enjoy an overview of children’s poetry. This program also incorporates Bible passages and ideas on celebrating the liturgical year.
Science at this age is best learned through a study of the child’s own natural surroundings, so we will focus our atttention on nature study. We will take nature walks, children will be encouraged to bring nature items from home and we will build insect and leaf collections in the classroom. We also have a designated spot behind the school where we will be able to have a garden. We will start right away with planting different types of sugar snap peas. (drawing by Anne Runyon)
Most importantly, we will spend time this year learning about our faith. Faustina Academy’s mission is to work collaboratively with the parents to get all of our children to heaven- to make saints. At this young age, it is important to gently nurture in the children a love for the faith. We will read stories of the lives of the saints, read Scripture, sing songs about the faith, and say prayers throughout the day . We will celebrate the feast days, with the first celebration being a birthday party for the Nativity of the Blessed Mother on September 8th.
I look forward to getting to know you this year as we work together to educate your children. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Mrs. Skinner
Comments
Got something to say?