Integrated Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum

1. Integrated PreschoolandPre-KindergartenCurriculum Charles Barnum Elementary School

2. Positive communication between school and home is a priority at Charles Barnum • Blue Folders: please empty daily • Tuesday Newsletters: School-wide events • CB Monthly Newsletters • Weekly Communication Sheets include skills, vocabulary, books and events • Family Art Projects: Please help your child • Open Door Policy: Stop in anytime, but please check in office and get badge

3. Progress Reports • Progress reports will be given in January and in June. • Parent/ Teacher conferences are in October and March • If you have any concerns or questions about your child, please let us know at any time.

4. Daily Arrival Routine • Hang up coats/backpacks/take out folders • Wash hands • Table time/Book time • Circle time • Hello song • Morning message • Visual schedule • Weather • Calendar

5. Guiding Principles Young children are capable and competent. There should be high expectations for all children. Young children learn best when their basic needs are met. Basic needs include health, safe and nurturing environments. Positive social relationships, a sense of belonging and sound nutrition. Young children are unique in their growth and development. Young children develop and learn within the context of their family and culture. Family lays the foundation of who they are and how they learn and grow. Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards

6. Families: • Are the primary caregivers and educators of young children • Are critical partners in all early learning environments

7. Cognitive Development • Language & Literacy • Social Studies • Mathematics • Science • Experiments, observes and comments • Uses a variety of strategies to solve problems • Sorts objects • Recognizes and makes patterns • Compares and orders events • Counts 1-10/1-20 • Uses positional words (in, high, under) • Uses complex sentences to describe events • Understands and participates in conversations • Shows understanding of stories • Displays knowledge of books and print • Identifies and uses writing to convey meaning

8. Social & Emotional Development • Form relationships • Manage separations • Self regulation • Express, recognize and respond to emotions • Shows self direction with a variety of materials • Sustains attention to task • Participates in group activities • Manages transitions, follows rules and routines • Uses words to express emotions • Show empathy to others • Interacts cooperatively with peers • Works to solve conflicts

9. Physical Development and Health Fine Motor: Small Muscles Scribbles, lines, shapes, letters Puzzles, scissors, playdough, manipulatives Gross Motor: Large Muscles Dance & Movement Activities Climbing, jumping, hopping, ball skills, swinging, running, letting kids be kid Cares for self independently: Toileting, zipping outerwear, washing hands, taking care of personal belongings

10. Creative Arts • Builds and constructs to represent own ideas • Draws and paints to represent own ideas • Represents experiences and fantasy in pretend play • Sings and responds to music • Appreciation of the arts

11. Learning Centers • Are set up to foster specific skills • Teach children to play cooperatively • Encourage teamwork • Encourage imagination • Increase language development • Reinforce and teach readiness skills

12. Dramatic Play Center • Oral language • Decision-making skills • Cooperation and problem solving skills • Social skills • Self-expression • Imaginative thinking skills • Role-playing skills • Fine motor

13. Science Center • Asks questions • Make predictions and draw conclusions • Conduct simple experiments • Gather information • Communicate observations • Solve problems • Think critically • Use a variety of tools

14. Table Toys • Problem solving skills • Fine motor skills • Logical reasoning • Eye-hand coordination • Spatial awareness • Independence • Self-help skills • Oral language

15. Arts and Crafts • Pre-writing skills • Planning skills • Color and shape recognition • Concepts of symmetry • Sensory awareness • Creativity and self-expression • A sense of accomplishment

16. Listening Center • Comprehension skills • Fluency • Associations between written and spoken words • Associations between letters and sounds • Vocabulary • Pacing, intonation and expression • Rhythm • Listening skills

17. Library Center/Book Time • Comprehension • Literacy skills • Print and book awareness • Vocabulary • Letter recognition • Associations between letters and sounds • A love for literature • Listening skills

18. Block Center • Size, shape, proportion, space, weight, design, and balance are explored • Decision-making and problem solving skills • Large and small muscle development • Cooperation • Language and vocabulary development

19. Promethean Board Smart Board • Interactive board • Children have access to Board several times a week • Reinforces reading, math skills and turn taking

20. Writing Center • Letter formation skills • A sense of left to right directionality • Associations between letters and sounds • Communication skills • Self-expression • Creativity • Fine motor skills

21. Music/Movement • Rhythm • Balance and coordination • Gross motor skills • Creativity • Self-expression • Listening skills

22. Math Center • Number recognition and counting skills • One to one correspondence • Associations between numbers and quantities • Sequencing skills • Sorting and classifying skills • Addition and subtractions skills • An understanding of shapes • Measurement concepts • Spatial awareness • Patterning

23. Cold & Flu Season has begun…. • If your child is sick with a cough or excessive runny nose, please keep them home. • Children must wash hands after covering coughs and blowing nose. • 24 hour rule applies: 24 hours without a fever, vomiting or diarrhea

24. Parent Volunteers • Read stories • Play games • Help with art projects • Make special snacks • Cut out projects • Share your talents • We welcome helping hands • Confidentiality is a must! Volunteers must attend Volunteer Orientation

25. Check out our website~ • Go to www.groton.k12.ct.us • Select school: Charles Barnum • This has school-wide information • To get classroom information: • Go to staff • Click on the teacher’s name