The content in the book portrays typical years. Please note that with COVID-19 protocols in place, some of our programming has temporarily changed for 2020-2021.
A typical day in
Preschool
Good morning and welcome Preschool students settle down on the rug for the daily class meeting. They listen to a chime and take a few deep breaths, calming their bodies so they can focus on the day’s activities. Then they share news, work with the calendar, and talk about plans for the day, practicing social language and math skills.
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Learning centers Learning centers are areas of the classroom devoted to particular interests or skills. Students work in small groups which include activities like solving problems with math manipulatives, listening and reading, building, playing with sand and water, and studying science. Like every part of the day, learning is a balance of exploratory play and guided instruction.
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Individual instruction in reading and writing Teachers work one-on-one with students to teach foundational skills. Prekindergarteners learn letter sounds with engaging activities, like making pizza in the kitchen when learning the letter P. In kindergarten, students practice “pinching out� the word sounds, building their word recognition and reading skills. Using fine motor skills developed during center time, they also start telling their own stories during writers’ workshop.
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Kindergarten: Deeper and Bigger Kindergarteners are ready for MORE! Students develop collaborative critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they engage in meaningful, elaborate play. Additionally, teachers craft more in-depth projects, strengthen reading and writing skills, and expand students’ study of math and science. At the end of the year, our kindergarteners love learning and are ready to thrive in Lower School!
WHAT MAKES GREENHILL PRESCHOOL
SPECIAL “We educate the whole child by designing thoughtful learning experiences for children that promote their academic, physical, and emotional growth. Our teachers develop meaningful connections with our children in order to help cultivate a sense of community, foster their curiosities, and challenge them.” RHEMA STRADFORD-DAI, HEAD OF PRESCHOOL
Morning snack time The school provides a healthy snack for the whole class every day.
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WHAT MAKES GREENHILL PRESCHOOL
FUN
“For one, our physical space is amazing. From the overhead doors that open outside, to the indoor playground, to our very own teaching kitchen, every inch of our Preschool inspires students to develop ideas and bring them to fruition. We even have a dedicated makerspace where students use science and engineering skills to build their own creations. It’s the perfect place to be a young learner and explorer!”
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RHEMA STRADFORD-DAI, HEAD OF PRESCHOOL
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Outdoor play time Playing outdoors is important because it builds social skills and allows for the natural expression of imagination. Our playground has a “big toy� for climbing, a water table, tricycles, a sound garden composed of five outdoor musical instruments, and room to run.
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Lunch time Preschoolers eat lunch in the dining hall with their teachers, just like the big kids!* The meal plan includes a delicious, nutritious meal to fuel them for the afternoon. The specially designed lunchroom includes tables and chairs that are just their size!
*Lunch routines have changed temporarily for 2020-2021.
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Spotlight on the Nutcracker Greenhill kindergarteners have performed a version of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker since 1951, and it is one of the highlights of the year. The iconic ballet forms the basis of an entire unit of study for the students: · Identify the composers in music · Learn how a nutcracker works in science · Build nutcrackers from geometric shapes in math · Read different versions of the story in reading · Design very own nutcracker in art · Form relationships with the Upper School students who play the music during the performance
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Time for physical education The children head to the gym or the Adventure Room, where they run, swing, jump, twirl, and learn to love being active. Studies show that children on the move improve their fine motor skills, attentiveness, and creativity.
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Small group integrated learning Each classroom tackles projects that include art, science, reading, writing, math, social-emotional, and cultural learning components. The best part is that children always have a say in what they learn. Past projects for prekindergarteners include Change Makers in our World, Occupations, and a Family Heritage Feast. Kindergarteners study color and light, and earth, dirt, and rocks, among others.
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WHAT MAKES GREENHILL PRESCHOOL
WORTHWHILE “In a community as diverse as Greenhill, our Preschool students celebrate their identities, gifts, and graces alongside those of their classmates.” MARCUS INGRAM, PH.D., DIRECTOR OF EQUITY & INCLUSION
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Co-curricular classes Children receive specialized instruction in music, drama, library, Spanish, and art within our rotational schedule. They especially love drama class, where they perform a culminating year-end show with set pieces and costumes. In art classes, students make connections between art, engineering, and science while having fun with bumble bee-shaped robots called Bee Bots.
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Primer: A Gift of Time A bridge year between kindergarten and first grade, Primer gives children the gift of time to mature socially and emotionally before entering first grade. It’s a meaningful year of hands-on, individualized classroom learning, plus a whole lot of fun. All kindergarten students with birthdays between March and August are considered for Primer during the second half of the school year.
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Daily reflections Reflect on the day’s activities then gather backpacks, supplies, and today’s projects to share with family at home.
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WHAT MAKES GREENHILL PRESCHOOL
A GOOD FIT
“Greenhill preschoolers are confident and empowered to ask “why.” Our talented teachers provide learning experiences that offer fundamental academic skills and invite children into opportunities to problem solve, explore, and play! Our Greenhill core principles thread through everything we do, including our community service and cultural awareness events. Our program immerses children in joy where learning blossoms into a positive and lifelong intention.” RHEMA STRADFORD-DAI, HEAD OF PRESCHOOL
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See you tomorrow! Time for goodbyes and dismissal. See you in the morning!
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Let’s get to know each other! We invite you to visit our website to watch a virtual tour, hear from current students, and learn more about the application process. We also encourage you to register for an admission event online. It’s the best way to decide if Greenhill is the right fit for your family. For more information, visit our website, www.greenhill.org, call the Admissions Office at (972) 628-5910, or email admission@greenhill.org. We look forward to seeing you soon!
It is the policy of Greenhill School to administer its educational programs, including admission and financial aid, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national or ethnic origin, or disability.
4141 SPRING VALLEY ROAD | ADDISON TX 75001 | 972.628.5400 | WWW.GREENHILL.ORG