Preschool At a Glance Below are a few of the exciting experiences that await your preschooler in Langley’s Primary School:
• Play and inquiry-based experiences that allow
students to think logically, make connections, and become problem-solvers
• Classroom structure that promotes autonomy, social skills, and work habits
• Thematic units that develop pre-academic skills The Langley School’s Arc of Development recognizes that the steepest part of a child’s development comes early, and that while every child’s path is unique, there are predictable cognitive, emotional, and social milestones. With this model, our students receive age-appropriate, inquiry-based instruction.
and creativity
• Access to upper-level students, facilities, and
specialists that enriches learning while in a safe environment
• Primary School assemblies that promote community, leadership, and public speaking
Learning in Action “While learning about the letter ‘w’ and focusing on water, students build and design their own sprout house and floating boat. They hypothesize how many marbles it would take to sink their boat and then test their hypotheses in the water. This project allows preschoolers to create, imagine, and explore materials as they build scientific reasoning and design-thinking skills.” -Preschool Teacher “After reading The Little Blue Truck, students bring the story to life by making their own ‘mud’ out of household ingredients and recreating the scenes with toy trucks and farm animals. This is a wonderful example of an inquiry-based, sensory experience that connects to children’s literature.” -Preschool Teacher “Preschoolers sing and play instruments during a division-wide thematic unit study, marking their first experience performing on stage before an audience – quite an accomplishment for a three-year-old!” -Music Teacher
Units of Study: These units of study are examples of how we build age-
appropriate, interdisciplinary lessons. The goal is to challenge, expand thinking, and inspire students to act on their curiosity, ask good questions, and solve problems. Social Studies: People and How They Live Essential Question: How do you make and keep a good friend? Skill/Activity: Create a letter for a friend by drawing a picture and sending with a stamp Science: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth, and the Environment Essential Question: How can we respect and care for our world? Skill/Activity: Explain what a flower needs to grow Math: Number Recognition and Sense Essential Question: Why are numbers important? Skill/Activity: Identify numbers and represent them with objects Language Arts: Alphabet Knowledge, Letter Recognition, and Phonological Awareness Essential Question: What makes a great story? Skill/Activity: Discuss and give reasons why something is real or pretend
Sample Schedule 8:00-8:30 a.m.................................Free Choice 8:30-8:50 a.m........................Morning Meeting 8:50-9:20 a.m............................“Specials” Class 9:20-10:00 a.m.....................Curricular Activity 10:00-10:50 a.m...........................Snack/Recess 10:50-11:30 a.m......................................Literacy 11:30-11:50 a.m............................Closing Circle 11:50 a.m..............................................Dismissal
What “Specials” Classes Will My Child Have? Movement (2x/7-day cycle): gross motor development; understanding of self and general space; balance and coordination; locomotor skills; introduction to yoga Music (2x/7-day cycle): singing; rhythmic speech; movement; instrumentation; music appreciation and history Spanish (2x/7-day cycle): oral communication and comprehension through immersion and song Library (1x/7-day cycle): concept and purpose of school library; model library routines; listening comprehension; love of reading
11:50 a.m.-2:50 p.m..............The Leopard Spot Extended Day (optional) Since we believe educational programs should continually evolve to meet the needs of our students, all curricular lessons and schedules referenced here are examples and may change. NOTE: Students applying to preschool must be three years old by September 1 of the year they start school.