Preschool 4s

Handwriting/Literacy

We use Wilson Fundations Program. Fundations provides an introduction, or “pre-dose”, to the letter sound and writing skills that are taught to mastery in Kindergarten.

We help build an understanding of the alphabetic principles of letter-sound associations and alphabetical order and the written language skill of manuscript letter formation.

Students will learn to write and identify all upper and lower case letters of the alphabet.

Students will learn to write their first and last names using upper and lower case letters, and learn to use a proper pencil grip.

Language and Pre-Reading

Preschool 4s students are taught phonics which is the method of teaching beginners to read and pronounce words by learning the phonetic value of letters, letter groups, and syllables. We learn to match letters, understand opposites, identify rhyming words and develop auditory discrimination. We use language and stories to hone our listening skills, recall story events, utilize language to formulate questions and sequencing stories in order. When we read we are using left-to-right progression and beginning sight words.

• Students will complete a tactile cards for each letter of the alphabet.
• We utilize an emergent reading picture book for each letter which reinforces the beginning sound and introduces early sight words (on, the, my).
• Phonics games are incorporated into daily lessons.
• We read stories daily.
• Use of music to hear and differentiate sounds are used in daily lessons.

Math

We learn basic math skills utilizing number recognition and writing, numbers before and after, 1-1 correspondence, basic graphing, patterning, estimating, sorting, comparing objects and measuring. Skills are taught during calendar, circle and small groups. We use games and activities which will expand critical thinking skills. Shapes and colors are also taught during this time.

• Learn to recognize and write numbers 1 - 20.
• Use of simple addition and subtraction as well as the concept of greater/less than.
• We also explore advanced patterns and shapes in three dimensions.
• Later in the year we explore counting by 10’s.

Religion

Religion lessons are based God’s love of us, how each of us is special and created by God and loved by God. We learn about Jesus and all of God’s Holy family and our faith through stories, projects and prayer. We learn God is present in our daily lives and open our days with the sign of the cross and an opening prayer. We also pray and bless our meals. We attend mass on Holy days and special all school masses. We observe and discuss all holidays and liturgical seasons. Lessons involve Bible stories, art projects, songs, activity sheets and prayer.

Exploratory Themes

We explore units of study in either one or two week segments, this could include science, social studies or holiday themes. We use our small motor skills of cutting, pasting and creating projects to reflect what we have learned during these units of study. We use science experiments, to observe and hypothesize the expected outcome of the experiment. Units of study are:

• Earth Science: Weather, Seasons. Life Science: Animals, Penguins, Bears, Bugs and Butterflies, Dinosaurs.
• Social Studies: Fire Safety, Dental Hygiene, Family and Community.
• Seasons/Holidays: Fall/Halloween and Thanksgiving, Winter/Christmas, Valentines and St. Patrick’s Day, Spring/Easter and Mother’s Day.

Open Centers Play

We have open centers play available throughout the day these include:

• Dramatic Play – children use pretend role play to foster cooperative play and social skills.
• Building Blocks – students use fine motor skills in addition to critical thinking and cooperative play.
• Sensory Table – children use fine motor skills and creative play.
• Art table – students use crayons, markers, scissors, glue, and various materials for creative processes.

Life/Social Emotional Skills

We learn basic skills such as getting along with your peers, walking in line down the hall, listening skills, following simple directions, ability to sit for short durations and caring for materials.

• Children will be able to hang up coats, backpacks and get out snacks, lunch etc. to start our day and become independent.
• Children will learn their address and phone number, birthday and learn the month, date and year on a calendar.

Large Motor Skills

Students participate in daily outdoor play (weather permitting) or use of school gym to exercise daily. Children attend a structured gym class once a week. Movement and music is used throughout the day to use large motor skills and provide brain breaks.

Preschool 4s Events

• Mystery Reader – parent reader
• Field Trips
• Parent Picnic
• Family Fun Events: Trunk or Treat, Beginning of the Year Bike Parade