Pre-Kindergarten Program of Study, 2025-26 School Year

PRE-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. Within the PK program, special attention is paid to each child’s cognitive development through intentionally planned activities and experiences. We want to promote a positive sense of self and continue to nurture that growing independence and celebrate each child’s unique individuality.

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 morning manipulative

Dramatic play and block construction

activities, matching, puzzles, tic tac toe

Sand and water play - sensory play

Outdoor games such as red light, green light,

Imaginative and energetic outdoor play

tag, etc.

MATHEMATICS

With the use of the Messy Maths resource, students will Investigate, use inquiry, and a hands-on, minds-on approach to understanding basic mathematical concepts. Our Tinker Lab/Maker Space is utilized to introduce STEM-based projects through hands-on, minds-on activities.

By the end of PK, students will be able to: Numbers and Numeration

In addition, students will: Begin to use and recognize place value and

Recognize and learn numbers 1-10 and above

notation (name the ordinal positions in a

Rote count 1-20

sequence and “next” and “last” positions)

Identify the number is one more or one fewer

Identity patterns in the world around them

Patterns and Function Learn to create and extend AB patterns

Recognize positional/directional concepts Tinker Lab/Maker Space

Sort objects by size, type and kind

Visit bi-weekly for intriguing, creative,

Explore and extend visual patterns

collaborative activities around STEM

LANGUAGE, LITERACY, AND WRITING

Students are immersed in language and literacy through a richly integrated, multisensory approach. With a focus on children’s authors, students will enjoy listening to stories and learning about authors and rhymes to enhance their experiences.

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

In addition, students will:

Print Concepts

Author Study

Introduce and begin to recognize uppercase

Be introduced to several different authors

letters

with a focus on the diversity of authors

Incorporate letters and words into their daily

Explore family, animals, nature, and social-

play through environmental print

emotional skills all through the magic of

Recognize and use environmental print

books

Manipulate a writing tool

Create their books, signs, and notes around

Begin to form letters correctly by using the

their favorite authors

Handwriting Without Tears Program Write their first name in uppercase letters

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 PK, students will be able to: Formative Five Understand the concepts of the Formative Five: Empathy, Grit, Integrity, Self-control and Embracing Diversity Learns about each other's families and culture Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions Participate in weekly chapel services Share Information about the holidays / traditions celebrated by their own family Discuss and learn about unique cultures and diversity in our GSL community Through read-aloud, discuss and learn about cultures, holidays, and diversity from around the world In addition, students will: Begin to share and show understanding of at least one Formative five skill

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 the end of PK, 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

Become aware of environmental needs

Animals Understand that animals live in different habitats

through gardening and recycling Experiment with liquids, solids 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 fiction, nonfiction, concept books, and wordless picture books. Through simple stories, rhyming texts, and interactive readings, students learn about the people and world around them. GSL’s Formative Five traits and SEL skills are shared through quality, diverse book selections.

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

In addition, students will:

Demonstrate an understanding of how to

Be able to answer basic “who, what, when,

hold and care for books

where, why” questions about the stories

Recognize that books are read upright, from

Try to predict events within a story

front to back and that there is a beginning,

Make connections with characters, events,

middle, and ending of stories

problems and solutions during our group

Follow directions when participating in class

discussions

read aloud Demonstrate a basic understanding of what authors and illustrators do Demonstrate an awareness that print conveys a message

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 PK, students will be able to:

In addition, students will:

Identify basic shapes, primary colors, and

Be exposed to the rhythms and sounds of the

numbers from 1-10

Spanish language

Identify the sound of a letter or character

Listen and respond to interactive Read-

Recite short songs and simple chants

Alouds

State the names of familiar people with visual

learn about seasonal vocabulary, customs,

support

and holidays from Hispanic culture

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 PK, students will be able to:

In addition, students will:

Singing and Vocal Development

Ensemble Experiences

Participate in singing songs with repeated

Learn to participate in a small group of

words and rhythm

musicians playing at a certain time and learn

Movement Act out musical stories through movement Focused Listening

how to keep a steady beat Exploring and playing a variety of musical instruments

Identify a range of orchestra instruments and

Learn to hold a mallet, hit a drum, use

their sound quality

shakers, and play the xylophone and other

Hear patterns and rhymes

instruments to help increase fine and gross motor skills

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 PK, students will: Be introduced to mindfulness techniques (flower, candle, breathe and calm your glitter (feelings)) 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 In addition, students will: Make mindful choices Resolve conflicts peacefully