Let your child explore and discover their full potential.

The Hungry Caterpillars – 5-year-olds

Our kindergarteners are making connections between what they know and what they are learning. Their vocabulary is growing and they are more and more inquisitive about the world they live in. They have a greater understanding of routines and can predict what is next and recap prior experiences. They show greater independence, and self-control and are more self confident. At this age, our goal is to provide opportunities for them to become more enthusiastic and lifelong learners.

Daily Schedule

Scheduling provides a structure for classroom activities and daily routines. Young children need a predictable routine, so it is important to have a schedule that will help them develop a sense of security and understand expectations.

7:30 a.m. – 8:30a.m. Early Arrival

Fine motor activities (blocks, manipulatives, table puzzles, floor puzzles) and centers are provided for hands-on learning. The classroom is designed as a learning community, where children not only build skills vital to success but require more critical analysis. Activities foster independent exploration. Teachers will encourage planning and recalling their activities.

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Arrival

Teachers meet and greet students and provide time for routine practices and opportunities for problem-solving through centers activities, journal writing, and manipulative exploration.

9:00 a.m. – 9:25 a.m. Circle Time

Conversations and language development using more complex sentences, sight words, and extended activities from our McGraw Hill large chart book are reinforced at the circle as a general overview of our day is communicated to the students: Days of the week, months of the year and descriptive weather words, themes related activities, centers that are open and engage in literacy activities. Children at this age are encouraged to communicate with each other and become active listeners at circle time.

9:40 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Small Group Instruction

Literacy and math lessons are provided through the outline in the McGraw-Hill Phonics and Math Curriculum. Small group instruction includes art projects and learning center rotations that are designed to develop cooperative peer learning and reinforce concepts learned in both phonics and math. During Small Groups, language/ phonics instruction is provided such as letter recognition, sentence structure, sight words, reading comprehension, and creative writing.

Math activities focus on such skills as positional words, identifying 3-Dimensional shapes, adding and subtracting, graphing, and portions (halves, wholes, etc.). Small Group is a valuable teacher-student review time during rotations. For those students that are ready for an extra challenge in math and phonics, they move on to their 1st-grade workbooks.

*Enrichment Rooms: Library/Technology Rooms are used on a rotation schedule.

Gross Motor/Outdoor Play (Playground) or Indoor Play

Teachers will use their knowledge and creativity to meet the needs of all children in outdoor play through a variety of experiences. Activities can include surveying, estimating distances, building teamwork, balance, body control, hand-eye & physical coordination, and more. Teachers will follow the gross motor calendar of activities while providing opportunities for children to participate in movement expression.

(Note: Please review our monthly Gross Motor Calendar for activities)

11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. Circle Time/Large Group

Children at this age enjoy large group participation and teacher-directed lessons. Social skills such as listening and expressing themselves are important at Circle Time as children gather for a celebration of Star of the Week/ Music & Movement/Recap of the morning lessons and skills learned.

11:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Wash hands/Lunch

Teachers participate in lunchtime with children acting as role models and encouraging manners and good eating habits.

12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Nap Time

Team planning will occur during children’s nap time. Daily planning keeps playing fresh and interesting. The teaching team meets to discuss observations of children’s developing abilities and interests. Teachers also adjust their teaching methods and review materials in response to individual children’s needs.

1:15p.m. – 1:30p.m. D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read)
DEAR time is a special time children of this age get to explore our library and interact with books.

1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Circle Time/Large Group

Children at this age learn about sharing their opinions and speaking in more complex sentences. Character Development lessons are implemented. They explore relationships and work on problem-solving with support. Children come together to engage in a large group activity. Teachers may introduce a particular lesson through stories, visual props, simple finger-plays, movement, and/or songs.

1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Small Group Instruction/Snack time – Routines are reinforced for hand washing/Bathroom

Science, Math, and Social Studies activities are provided through theme-based instruction and as outlined in the McGraw-Hill curriculum for Preschool children. Small group instruction includes an art project and learning center rotations that are designed to develop social skills and cooperation. Small Group is a valuable teacher-student review time rotation.

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Gross Motor/Outdoor Play
Weather Permitted or Indoor Play

3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Circle Time/Prepare for dismissal

Music & Movement/Recap of the afternoon/Washing Hands

3:20 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Dismissal
(full-day schedule only)

3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Extended Care Students Only

Outdoor Play/Gym-Indoor Play, Story time, music, movement activity.

*Enrichment Rooms: The library/Technology Room is used on a rotation schedule!

For inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us.