Classes: Nursery / Pre-Kindergarten
Curriculum Overview: Nursery
The Nursery school program offers a full-day; developmentally-appropriate program designed for three and four year olds. A blend of directed and self-chosen activities promotes a love of learning and encourages social, emotional, physical and intellectual development within a supportive, lively learning environment.
Features of the Nursery School Program:
- A full day program within a developmentally appropriate classroom environment
- Curriculum based instruction provided by a head teacher
- Development of social skills is emphasized in order to create and sustain a successful learning environment within the classroom
- Strong focus on phonetic sounds and letters of the alphabet, as well as the recognition and rote counting of numerals 1-10
- Curriculum integration centered on monthly thematic units.
- Numerous opportunities for drama, arts and crafts, free play, construction, as well as fine and gross motor development
- Instruction by specialists in music, art and library.
- Implementation of small group, large group and independent learning activities, designed to meet the needs of all students in diverse and creative ways.
| Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 8:45 – 9:00 | Arrival and free play | Arrival and free play | Arrival and free play | Arrival and free play | Arrival and free play |
| 9:00 - 9:15 | Calendar and circle time | Calendar and circle time | Calendar and circle time | Calendar and circle time | Calendar and circle time |
| 9:15 - 9:45 | Library | Theme | Library | Theme | Library |
| 9:45 – 10:05 | Theme | Printing | Theme | Math | Printing |
| 10:05 – 10:25 | Snack | Snack | Snack | Snack | Snack |
| 10:25 – 10:50 | Recess | Recess | Recess | Recess | Recess |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
| 11:30 – 12:15 | Rest and quiet time | Rest and quiet time | Rest and quiet time | Rest and quiet time | Rest and quiet time |
| 12:15 – 12:35 | Outside play / P.E | Outside play / P.E | Outside play / P.E | Outside play / P.E | Outside play / P.E |
| 12:35 – 1:00 | Yoga | Yoga | Yoga | Yoga | Yoga |
| 1:00 – 1:30 | Art | Music | Art | Music | Video |
| 1:30 – 2:15 | Story time | Story time | Story time | Story time | Story time |
| 2:15 – 2:40 | Snack | Snack | Snack | Snack | Snack |
| 2:40 – 2:55 | Clean up | Clean up | Clean up | Clean up | Clean up |
Curriculum Overview: Pre-Kindergarten
Pre-Kindergarten classes at the Elementary School offer a full-day, developmentally-appropriate program designed for 3 and 4 year olds. The program promotes a child’s active learning by offering a variety of developmentally appropriate activities with which the child can become involved. Children are guided in activities designed to promote the social, physical, and intellectual growth needed within a supportive, dynamic atmosphere.
Features of the Pre-Kindergarten Program
- A full day program set mostly within a self-contained classroom, with daily visits to the art room and library.
- Instruction is provided by a head teacher, with the help of an assistant to attend to the children’s basic needs.
- An emphasis on the social skills and behavior required for successful learning and living within the classroom community is enforced during the various instructed activities, as well as during free play.
- A variety of materials and resources are provided for children to explore and use both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
- Pre-reading development emphasizing letter recognition, hearing and manipulating the sounds in our language (phonemic awareness).
- Language and literacy will be enhanced by having fun with language by listening to stories and poems, making up stories and rhymes, participating in sharing times, and role playing.
- An Integrated curriculum is being used, which is based on monthly thematic units, with an additional focus on basic skills, personal health and hygiene, and large and fine motor skills.
- Math skills are supported through many activities dealing with classification, sequencing, counting, and experimenting with spatial relations.
- Activities designed to promote physical, mental and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips are regularly organized.
- Children’s performance, behavior, social development, and physical health are observed and evaluated
Curriculum Overview: Kindergarten
Kindergarten offers a full day developmentally-appropriate program designed for five and six year olds. A blend of directed and self guided activities develops a love for learning, and encourages social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development.
Features of the Kindergarten Program
- A full day program set within a self-contained classroom.
- Instruction provided by a head teacher.
- Emphasis on the social skills required for successful learning and living within the classroom community.
- Pre-reading development emphasizing phonemic awareness.
- A blend of teacher-directed activities, projects and learning centers provide a variety of large group, small group and independent learning experiences.
- A range of materials to support the varied needs of learners in the beginning reading program.
- Integrated curriculum based on thematic units.
- Instruction by specialists in music, physical education, library and art.
- Regular opportunities for construction, drama, arts and crafts, field trips and free play.
- A buddy program which pairs kindergarten and upper grade students for a variety of learning experiences.