Junior Kindergarten Program of Study

JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM OF STUDY 2023-24 School Year

INTRODUCTION The Preschool follows the guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Providing an environment that emphasizes play and social-emotional development. In understanding the developmental needs of children and developing a curriculum that fits the needs of each child, we will offer a multi-faceted approach to curriculum Instruction. One of our goals in JK is to prepare students for a smooth transition into Senior Kindergarten, while still focusing on social and emotional development in a play-based environment. In JK we want to engage students through inquiry so they can be curious, creative and build on their critical thinking skills.

PLAY Play is the foundation of everything we do. Play and learning occur simultaneously—they are not separate entities. We believe that child-initiated play is also the foundation for healthy growth and learning in a range of areas, from gross and fine motor skills to the development of imagination, social skills, creative problem solving, and language development. This groundwork is laid unconsciously through play as future academics will be built on these play experiences.

Unstructured Play

Structured Play

Unstructured play is open-ended with no set goal

Structured play has a specific goal and set of rules

and unlimited possibilities. Children engaged in

and objectives. During structured play, children

unstructured play are in the process of

are seeking the most effective way to achieve pre-

establishing their own objectives:

existing objectives.

Painting and drawing on blank paper

Music and movement

Dough/clay modeling and collage activities

Indoor games such as bingo, board games,

Dramatic play and block construction

chess, and cards

Sand and water play - sensory play

Outdoor games such as red light, green light,

Imaginative and energetic outdoor play

tag, etc.

MATHEMATICS Building on earlier math concepts, JK continues to empower children to enjoy mathematical pursuits. Using the Wild Math curriculum, students investigate, use inquiry, and a hands-on minds-on approach to understanding basic mathematical concepts. Our Tinker Lab/Maker Space is also utilized to introduce STEM-based activities through hands-on minds-on activities.

By the end of JK, students will be able to:

In addition, students will:

Numbers and Numeration

Numbers and Numeration

Count by rote to 30 and above

Be introduced to simple addition and

Recognize numbers 1-10 and above

subtraction

Count backward 10-1

Tinker Lab/Maker Space

Locate numbers on a number line

Visit bi-weekly for intriguing, creative,

Count items using one-to-one correspondence

collaborative activities around STEM

Patterns, Function, and Algebraic Thinking

Patterns, Functions, and Algebraic Thinking

Create and extend AB patterns

Find patterns and common attributes in

Identity, extend and create patterns of sounds,

objects/people in the real world

physical movement, and concrete objects Explore and extend visual patterns Sort and classify objects by attributes Measuring Use standard and nonstandard units of measurement Explore measuring volume and capacity

LANGUAGE, LITERACY, AND WRITING Students are immersed in language and literacy through stories, listening, and manipulating sounds and rhymes. Daily meetings and directed group discussions strengthen students' ability to follow a topic and respond through problem-solving, planning, and gaining an understanding of others' points of view.

By the end of JK, students will be able to:

In addition, students will:

Reading Foundational Skills

Be introduced to fiction and nonfiction

Print Concepts

readings

Recognize and names most upper case letters

Create books, signs and notes by using

Recognize and name some lowercase letters

Fountas & Pinnell’s Joyful Writing program

Incorporate letters and words into their daily

Introduction to letter sounds

life

Create a self-portrait with legs, arms, and

Recognize and uses environmental print

facial features

Manipulate a writing tool

Show awareness of one’s physical features

Begin to form letters correctly by using the

through observation, speaking, writing and art

Handwriting Without Tears Program

Begin labeling drawings, building structures,

Write their first name in upper and lowercase

dramatic play creations, and more

letters

Phonological Awareness

Understand the concept that both print and

Demonstrate understanding of spoken words,

numbers have a left to right order

syllables and sounds (phonemes)

Phonological Awareness Recognize and produce rhyming words

Add and substitute individual sounds (phonemes)

SOCIAL STUDIES Through the lens of our mission statement and the Formative Five, students investigate themes related to geography, history, cultural studies as well as current events.

Introducing these concepts is critical to becoming intelligent and thoughtful participants in the community and the world.

By the end of JK, students will be able to: Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions

In addition, students will: Learn to identify the differences and

Share Information about the holidays /

uniqueness of each person

traditions celebrated by their own family

Through service-learning, sell a product and

Discuss and learn about unique cultures and

use the profits to help a local family purchase

diversity in our GSL community

Christmas gifts.

Share read-aloud, discuss and learn about

Learn to express their opinions and listen to

holidays, and cultures from around the world

the opinions and ideas of others

Participates in weekly chapel services Emergency Awareness

Emergency Awareness Be able to tell others what to do when there is

Demonstrate an understanding of jobs of

a fire

police officers, firefighters, and rescue workers

Be able to tell others what to do when one is

Memorize the number to call in an emergency

lost

Show understanding through actions of how to play safely and have fun Formative Five Understand the concepts of the Formative Five: Empathy, Grit, Integrity, Self-control and Embracing Diversity

SCIENCE/OUTDOOR CLASSROOM Our outdoor space is a certified Natural Wildlife Habitat by Natural Wildlife Federation. The outdoor classroom offers many different areas that children can explore: garden beds, mud kitchen, log stools for meetings, dramatic play and arts, and a shaded pergola. During this time students have the opportunity to learn more about nature and the world around them by being curious, observing, and using their five senses.

By the end of JK, students will be able to: Plants

In addition, students will: Discuss, share and observe local weather and

Understand that seeds need soil, water, and

changing seasons

light to grow into plants, flowers, or trees

Use observation to describe patterns of what

Gardening

plants and animals (including humans) need

Experience planting flowers and vegetable

to survive

seeds in the outdoor classroom

Observe, log, and document life cycles in their

Animals

journal

Understand that animals live in different

Cooking activities-measuring and observing

habitats

and understanding changes such as solids,

Experiment Mix different ingredients together and

liquids, and gas.

Tinker Lab/Maker Space

observe the reactions. understanding changes

Visit bi-weekly for intriguing, creative,

such as solids, liquids, and gas

collaborative activities around STEM

LIBRARY

Library classes are designed to introduce our youngest children to the school library and to foster a lifelong love of books and reading. Read alouds include songs, movement, puppets, and other means to create engagement and enthusiasm. Students are introduced to a wide variety of books, including fiction, nonfiction, and wordless picture books. JK is ready for slightly more complex stories that help them build knowledge of the world and people around them. Well-chosen Formative Five and DEI books allow students to identify and value the uniqueness of each human being.

By the end of JK, students will be able to:

In addition, students will:

Demonstrate an understanding of how to care

Demonstrate an understanding of the author

for books, particularly those checked out

and illustrator’s roles

during library times

Be able to identify characters, setting, and

Participate in read aloud, taking turns and

basic plot of stories

respecting the opinions or ideas shared by

Make the connection between information in

others

a text to personal experience or other text

Be able to answer basic “who, what, when, where, why” questions related to the stories read aloud Make predictions about events within the stories Demonstrate an understanding of how characters feel, behave toward others, and resolve problems

SPANISH

For young children, acquiring a new language comes naturally. At this age, the brain is wired for learning new language skills. Children will explore the Spanish language through music, games, and stories.

By the end of JK, students will be able to:

In addition, students will:

Identify shapes, primary and secondary

Be exposed to the rhythms and sounds of the

colors

Spanish language

Count by rote numbers 1-15

Listen and respond to interactive Read-

Determine isolated words, particularly when

Alouds

accompanied by gestures or pictures

Participate in shared readings

State likes and dislikes

Participate in matching games

Recite short songs and simple chants

Learn about seasonal vocabulary, customs,

State the names of familiar people, animals,

holidays from Hispanic Culture

places, and objects with visual support

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT Musik Adventures curricula engage the children in weekly activities that encourage multisensory learning, stimulating multiple areas of the brain at once. We focus on different musical concepts throughout the year, introduce the students to different musical genres and styles that help foster a lifelong love and appreciation for music. And when young children are consistently engaged with music in an age-appropriate, socially accepting environment, developmental benefits multiply. We see an increase in selfesteem, ability to take turns, fine and gross motor skills, and literacy - just to name a few!

By the end of JK, students will be able to:

In addition, students will:

Singing and Vocal Development

Ensemble Experiences

Participate in whole group songs and

Learn to participate in a small group of

activities

musicians playing at a certain time and learn

Movement Act out musical stories through movement Focused Listening Identify a range of orchestra instruments and their sound quality Hear patterns and rhymes

how to keep a steady beat

DISCOVER ME (MINDFUL EDUCATION)

Discover ME stories, discussions, and activities teach children specific skills and strategies on what they can do to manage their own behavior. Discover ME is designed to teach children at an early age how to learn by teaching these essential skills that have a positive influence on learning – impulse-control, self-awareness, how to pay attention and listen, how to focus, be present, and breathe with intention. These skills not only facilitate learning but encourage skills and strategies that equip children with the ability to take control of their own lives by CHOOSING positive words and actions.

By the end of JK, students will:

In addition, students will:

Be introduced to mindfulness techniques

Make mindful choices

(flower, candle, breathe)

Resolve conflicts peacefully

Begin to manage their own behaviors Take responsibility for their actions Stop and think about the consequences for what they choose to say and do