Junior Kindergarten Program of Study, 2025-26 School Year

JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM OF STUDY 2025-26 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: Numbers and Numeration Count by rote to 30 and above Recognize numbers 1-10 and above Count backward 10-1 Locate numbers on a number line Count items using one-to-one correspondence Patterns, Function, and Algebraic Thinking Create and extend AB patterns Identity, extend and create patterns of sounds, 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

In addition, students will: Numbers and Numeration Be introduced to simple addition and subtraction Tinker Lab/Maker Space Visit bi-weekly for intriguing, creative, collaborative activities around STEM Patterns, Functions, and Algebraic Thinking Find patterns and common attributes in objects/people in the real world

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: Reading Foundational Skills Print Concepts Recognize and names most upper case letters Recognize and name some lowercase letters Incorporate letters and words into their daily life Recognize and uses environmental print Manipulate a writing tool Begin to form letters correctly by using the Handwriting Without Tears Program Write their first name in upper and lowercase letters Understand the concept that both print and numbers have a left to right order Phonological Awareness Recognize and produce rhyming words Incorporate phonemic awareness through the In addition, students will: Be introduced to fiction and nonfiction readings Create books, signs and notes by using Fountas & Pinnell’s Joyful Writing program Introduction to letter sounds Create a self-portrait with legs, arms, and facial features Show awareness of one’s physical features through observation, speaking, writing and art Begin labeling drawings, building structures, dramatic play creations, and more Phonological Awareness Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables and sounds (phonemes) Add and substitute individual sounds (phonemes)

use of the Heggerty Curriculum

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 Share Information about the holidays / traditions celebrated by their own family Discuss and learn about unique cultures and diversity in our GSL community Share read-aloud, discuss and learn about holidays, and cultures from around the world Participates in weekly chapel services Emergency Awareness Demonstrate an understanding of jobs of police officers, firefighters, and rescue workers Memorize the number to call in an emergency 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 In addition, students will: Learn to identify the differences and uniqueness of each person Through service-learning, sell a product and use the profits to help a local family purchase Christmas gifts.

Learn to express their opinions and listen to the opinions and ideas of others Emergency Awareness Be able to tell others what to do when there is a fire Be able to tell others what to do when one is lost

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 Understand that seeds need soil, water, and light to grow into plants, flowers, or trees Gardening Experience planting flowers and vegetable seeds in the outdoor classroom Animals Understand that animals live in different habitats Experiment Mix different ingredients together and observe the reactions. understanding changes such as solids, liquids, and gas In addition, students will: Discuss, share and observe local weather and changing seasons Use observation to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive Observe, log, and document life cycles in their journal Cooking activities-measuring and observing and understanding changes such as solids, liquids, and gas.

Tinker Lab/Maker Space Visit bi-weekly for intriguing, creative, 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)

Students thrive when they can understand and regulate their emotions. 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 focusing on essential skills that have a positive influence on learning: impulse-control, self-awareness, how to pay attention and listen, and 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. The Changemakers Curriculum is also used to help students understand how the brain functions, how to manage and control emotions, how to nurture strong relationships, and much more.

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