Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum

Curriculum Standards Grade Level Pre-K

 

Language Arts

The Pre-Kindergarten students will be immersed in a literature-rich environment. Students will develop oral and written language skills through exploration of language while learning about themselves and their environment. Students will listen and participate in class discussions. Through developing language skills, students will make new connections between their own ideas and experiences and the ideas of others. Students will process their learning in content areas and apply it to real world situations.

 

Oral Language

·         Listen attentively to encourage sharing of ideas by developing effective communication skills.

·         Read aloud opportunities provided in one-on-one time, small groups, and as a whole class.

·         Participate in language-rich environment created by teachers and parents.

·         Actively uses oral language skills and newly learned vocabulary to effectively communicate ideas in response to exploration of new experiences.

Reading

Use Prior Knowledge to Understand Information and Make Meaning

·         Connect personal experiences with print

·         Respond to literature through words, new vocabulary, drawings

·         Summarize and retell selections that are read

Develop and Build an Understanding of How Printed Language Works

·         Develop an understanding that print carries "the" message

·         Demonstrate knowledge of elements of print within a text

·         Begin to develop phonemic awareness particularly with beginning sounds of words and rhyming patterns through conversation, storytelling, songs, rhymes

·         Develop awareness of the letters of the alphabet by beginning with letters in her/his name and exploration of environmental print

·         Engages in daily writing opportunities in whole group, small group and one-on-one settings

·         Develop understanding that print is written from left to right, and top to bottom

Demonstrate Understanding of Text

·         Oral participation in small groups and whole class discussions

·         Make text-to-self connections and effectively communicate these

·         Identifies purpose of text

Writing

·         Engages in daily writing opportunities in whole group, small group and one-on-one settings

·         Demonstrate progress through the stages of writing-scribbling, drawing, letter-like marks-to relate thoughts and experiences

·         Respond to the writing of others

Handwriting

·         Develops fine motor skills to work towards holding the pencil properly

 

Mathematics

Mathematics ad mathematical processes are used in all aspects of life. Students will apply their math skills in the field of mathematics and other disciplines, as well as in daily life. Students will participate in variety of opportunities to play and investigate the concepts of numbers and shapes. Through the use of manipulatives, students will begin to establish a more concrete sense of numbers and their use/value in real-world situations.

Number sense

·         Sort and use manipulatives for numbers 1-20 and show one-to-one correspondence

·         Recognize numbers up to 20

·         Compare groups of numbers using manipulatives, pictures or written numerals to determine if the groups are the same, less than or greater than.

Addition and Subtraction

·         Demonstrate with manipulatives the combining and separating of sets with 10 or fewer objects to solve problems

Patterns and Number relationships

·         Understand, describe, sort and create patterns with one or more attributes

·         Predict next items in patterns

·         Recognize missing parts in puzzles and patterns

Geometric Shapes and Relationships

·         Identify match, and create basic geometric shapes: circles, triangles, rectangles and squares

·         Experiment with combination of simple geometric shapes to make more complex geometric shapes through the use of manipulatives

·         Match objects to shapes

·         Describe simple spatial relationships

Measurement

·         Experiment with measuring familiar items through non-standard unites of measure (hands, feet, craft sticks, yarn)

·         Compare two objects (i.e. shorter/longer, heavier/lighter, larger/smaller, more/less)

·         Explore with standard measuring tools such as measuring cups, spoons, rulers and scales

Time

·         Identify clocks and calendars as tools that measure time

·         Begin to understand various aspects of time, i.e. how long an activity takes, what yesterday, tomorrow, day and week mean

Data and Probability

·         Collect, classify, and represent simple data from everyday experiences on charts such as sticker charts

·         Draw simple conclusions based on data

Problem solving

·         Understand problem solving in mathematical and everyday contexts

·         Develop critical thinking skills through open-ended questioning

 

Science

Science is a way of knowing a process for gaining knowledge of the natural world. The most effective way to teach science to young children is to let them discover for themselves the exciting happenings in their world. Students will be asked to make connections to prior knowledge, observe question, as well as record, analyze and report findings. Hands-on experimentation will aide in emphasizing the importance of science in everyday life. Experiences in science will build upon the students' natural curiosity.

 

Natural World

·         Observe objects and processes in the child's surrounding world

·         Investigate aspects of the child's natural world such as living organisms, colors, seasonal changes, seeds and planting to name just a few

Making Connections

·         Make comparisons and connections with seasons, animals, plants, self and others

·         Begin to notice patterns and sequences in the natural world

·         Begin to notice change such as in forms of matter (i.e. through cooking experiences)

Communicate about Discoveries and Explorations

·         Describe and explain what happens in these scientific explorations

·         Share information and prior experiences that relate to topics discussed and explored in class

Taking Care of the Earth

·         Exploring natural resources and our responsibility to conserve these and use wisely

·         Identify ways to conserve resources

·         Investigate causes of pollution and how to reduce it

 

Social Studies

Social Studies in Pre-Kindergarten will give the students opportunities to study aspects of the world around them. Social Studies helps students realize that they must take personal responsibility for their actions and that their actions have consequences for themselves and for the society they live in. History expands the students' vision beyond their own lives and asks them to look at and connect with a variety of human experiences.

 

Geography

·         Understand where they live (city, state, country)

·         Discover maps and globes

Community and Family

·         Family as a social institution/provision of basic needs

·         Value of family heritage and traditions

·         Describe factors that influence relationships with family and friends

American History

·         Celebrate and discuss the importance and history of national holidays and celebrations

Peace and Justice

·         Identifies the poor as having a special place in the teaching of Jesus

·         Recognizes obligation Christians have to seek for justice in the world

·         Recognizes Christian obligation to feed the hungry

·         Support of our sister school in Tanzania

 

Religion

The emphasis in the Pre-Kindergarten religion curriculum God loves us. Students will be reminded that they are created in the image of God and therefore, special.

Beliefs

·         God loves us

·         The world is a gift from God

Worship

·         We belong to the Catholic Church

·         We thank God at Mass

We Live as Children of God

·         We live as friends of Jesus

·         Use of Bible stories to begin to understand what Jesus wants us to do

Prayer

·         Talking to God

·         Learn the Sign of the Cross

·         Jesus taught us to pray: The Our Father (begin to learn)

·         Formal and informal forms of prayer: Angel of God, Grace before Meals, Hail Mary, appropriate Mass responses

Special Celebrations

·         The liturgical year/Ordinary time

·         Seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter

·         Holy Week

·         Thanksgiving Day

·         The Holy Family

·         Valentine's Day

·         Mary our Mother and her feast days

Building Catholic Character (Virtues)

·         See Virtues rotating three year curriculum

·         Year-long service project

·         Global service of sister school in Tanzania

 

The Arts

The arts will be incorporated every day into the Pre-Kindergarten curriculum. Visual art, dramatic play music, and movement and dance will be used to enhance the curriculum being used in the classroom. Students will explore and experiment with their bodies, with materials and with sound and rhythm. Activities will often be open-ended and lend themselves to the natural creativity the child brings with them.

 

Motor Skills

Movement enhances growth and development, increases body awareness, provides children with confidence, and enhances learning. There is a wide range of neuromuscular development in young children. It is important that opportunities are given to the students to develop both gross ad fine motor skills through a variety of both indoor and outdoor activities.

 

Physical Education

Development of many gross motor skills will be focused on in physical activities. Games, exercises and controlled movement will foster the child's physical development. Students will participate in both indoor and outdoor activities. Students will engage in large group, small group, partner and individual games and movement. The early building blocks of a healthy lifestyle will be emphasized.