Pre-Kindergarten 4
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Pre-Kindergarten 4
At FRA, we believe each child is a unique person with an individual pattern of growth and development. Different learning styles, developmental stages, and ability levels are expected, accepted, and used to design appropriate experiences. Our belief is that young children learn best through active involvement in meaningful experiences. We incorporate hands-on activities in a center-based classroom to provide children the opportunity to succeed and progress at their own rate. Our curriculum is theme-based, which allows us to incorporate many of our social studies and science concepts in a meaningful context throughout the year. Within these themes, we weave in math and literacy instruction in such a way that many of the activities and lessons are cross-curricular. Our instruction is guided by the Tennessee Early Learning Standards/Common Core Standards, which serve as a starting point for our learning goals and objectives. Because we strive to be developmentally appropriate, most of the activities are hands-on and interactive. Our center-based approach to learning naturally allows for differentiated instruction based on each child’s individual needs and abilities. Because we have developed our own curriculum, it continues to be fluid and can be adapted each year to fit the needs, abilities, and interests of the children in our program.
Program Highlights: We provide a variety of playful and educational events throughout the year for our younger children enrolled in our pre-kindergarten programs, including:
• Field Day
• 100th Day of School Celebration
• Dr. Seuss Read Across America Week
• Week of the Young Child
• Annual End of the Year Water Party
• Interim Week
• Philanthropy Focus: Children attend numerous field trips throughout the year to engage in learning experiences outside of the classroom. We partner with the Center for Philanthropic Studies, which allows children to utilize their time, talents, and treasures to connect and apply classroom knowledge to hands-on community outreach programs, such as Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
• Thanksgiving Program: One of our most treasured events in the preschool is our annual Thanksgiving Feast. Our students dress up and perform a brief program of song and dance for our guests.
Academic Highlights
Curriculum used: UFLI, Handwriting Without Tears, Heggerty
Literacy:
• Writing first name
• Identifying letters and sounds
• Recognizing color words
• Recognizing rhyming words
• Introducing verbal motor skills
• Identifying title of text
Math:
• Counting to 20 or beyond
• Identifying numbers 1-10 with a model
• Writing numbers 1-10 with a model
• Corresponding one-to-one when counting objects
Why Choose our Pre-K4 program?
• Identifying the role of author and illustrator
• Using a combination of dictation and drawing to convey thoughts
• Writing letters using the correct form with and without a model
• Writing CVC words
• Measuring the length of objects
• Obtaining a knowledge of patterns
• Identifying basic shapes
• Collecting and sorting materials used for graphing
Children must learn the pre-academic foundations for formal reading before they enter kindergarten. In pre-k, children become familiar with new vocabulary and ways to use language, as well as numbers and problem-solving strategies. Children also learn the social skills they need to get the most out of school— how to pay attention in class and interact with peers. In addition, they have opportunities for further gross-motor and fine-motor development necessary for writing. The intentional small class settings at FRA allow the teachers the opportunity to differentiate their instruction to best meet the needs of their students.
Pre-K4 Program Schedule
7:40 a.m. Arrival: Students unpack belongings, sign in, choose pre-selected, small-group learning centers, and engage in social interactions with peers.
7:50 a.m. Devotion: During this special time, students will have the opportunity to share prayer requests and praises. We then read together and discuss a Bible story and verse before closing with prayer time. On Wednesdays, we attend a lower school chapel program led by various FRA staff members and individual classrooms.
8 a.m. Literacy Block: Through thematic integration and implementation of our Starfall literacy program, students are provided hands-on opportunities in whole-group and child-guided, small-group settings to develop listening, reading, early phonological awareness, oral expression, and pre-writing development. Art, fine-motor activities, word-work stations, classroom library, computers, iPads, and other hands-on centers are available each day for children to engage in active learning and reinforce independence and social skills.
9 a.m. Snack: The school provides children with a nutritious snack in the classroom. We recite a blessing together before eating each snack or meal daily.
9:30 a.m. Recess: Students enjoy a common recess time on the playground. Recess is split on designated P.E. days (30 minutes, twice weekly).
11 a.m. Math: Math is incorporated throughout the day in a variety of ways. We also dedicate time every day for a math block, where we focus on a whole-group math lesson. The students are then given an opportunity to practice new concepts individually or in small groups using our BUILD program.
10:30 a.m. Enrichments: Students attend one of six enrichment classes for 30 minutes each day:
11 a.m. Math: Math is incorporated throughout the day in a variety of ways. We also dedicate time every day for a math block, where we focus on a whole-group math lesson. The students are then given an opportunity to practice new concepts individually or in small groups using our BUILD program.
12 p.m. Lunch: Students bring a lunch from home and eat in the classroom. Water and milk are provided. Children are asked to clean their table spot after eating as this supports independence, responsibility, and classroom community.
1 p.m. Rest Time: Because our Pre-K4 program is licensed by the state, a minimum one-hour rest time is required.
2:15 p.m. Free Center Exploration/Teacher Read Aloud: During this time, children wrap up their day by visiting a learning center of their choice and engaging with peers. This time is also designated for a teacher read aloud and occasional guest readers.
2:35 p.m. Departure: Children are walked to their cars during car line at the end of the day. Students enrolled in After School Extended Care or Afternoon Enrichment Classes are walked to their designated pickup areas.