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Classroom News
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PLEASE VIEW HOMEWORK SITE FOR MONTHLY UPDATES PRE-K 4 SYLLABUS Mrs. Helen Fauerbach. BA in Early Childhood Education, Antioch University 1986. Mrs. Vivian Bates – Instructional Assistant. Our main goal is to help your child have a happy and meaningful experience in Pre-K this year. It is our philosophy that Pre-K is a place where children should feel safe, secure and loved. A place where they are free to explore, ask many questions and realize that learning is FUN! We conduct the classroom in a family-type atmosphere where we all respect and care for each other. RELIGION The children will know that God, our Father, made them and gave them great gifts. They will realize that they are special and will be strongly encouraged to be glad to be who they are. The children will learn about God’s Son, Jesus, through Bible stories, songs, poems, role playing, art activities and prayers. Learning about God and loving Him is interwoven throughout all the activities of our days in Pre-K. MATH Strong emphasis is placed on working at the concrete level using many manipulatives. The children will learn basic shapes, numbers zero through twelve and simple patterns. They will learn to compare sizes, weights and volumes of objects. They will be sorting and classifying objects, as well as using simple addition and subtraction. INTEGRATED LANGUAGE ARTS (ILA) / SCIENCE / SOCIAL STUDIES/ COMPUTERS The children will be read to each day. Selected readings will have a variety of themes which will incorporate the subjects of Religion, Social Studies and Science. We encourage the children to explore their environment, understand their relation to it and express their thoughts and feelings about it. To stimulate language development the children participate in block building, painting, creative dramatics, games and walks to find out about their world. They talk about people, animals and events; they look at pictures and books; and they listen to stories, poems, directions and explanations. They will explore through a hands-on approach at our classroom centers using a variety of manipulatives and computer technology. Good weather permitting, the children will also enjoy exploring our outside surroundings. Instruction in Spanish is included one period/week as part of the Language Arts Program. Science themes will include – the four seasons; the weather; our five senses; healthy habits; plants and growth; food we eat and animals and their environment. Social Studies themes will include – community helpers; neighborhood and city; holidays; types of housing; types of transportation; different cultures and customs – appreciating the difference in people; the family unit; friends and Saints. MUSIC AND ART The subjects of Art and Music are two of the best ways to help young children realize that learning is FUN! The children will enjoy periods of music education in their school week – listening to and learning simple sing-a-long songs and poems. There will be frequent art projects throughout the school year. The children will use a variety of materials to expand and enrich their learning experiences in Pre-K. PHYSICAL EDUCATION / GYM The children will have one forty-five minute period of Gym/ week. The children will also participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor (weather permitting) games and activities throughout the week – nature walks, running, jumping, ball handling, simple exercises and dancing. These are to provide the children with opportunities to develop fine and gross motor skills as well as improve hand-eye coordination. HOMEWORK Homework is infrequent in Pre-K. We want the children to be eager and happy to come to school and learn. We do not want them to be overwhelmed. Any homework activities would consist of perhaps telling a parent about what they learned that day or bringing in a picture to share with the class or an object for Show-N-Tell. If and when homework is given there will be a homework paper sent home with your child. Please help your child understand the importance of and rewards gained by successfully completing assignments. Homework will reinforce core concepts and skills. CLASSROOM DECORUM Students are expected to abide by the school’s disciplinary and uniform policies. Pre-K is a place where children should feel safe, secure and loved. In order that the children learn to work together and respect each other, positive reinforcement of desired behavior will be used – for example, additional praise or sticker. At times it is necessary to remind the children of the rules of our class. We use the “Three Strikes, Take A Break” method. If an undesired behavior continues past three corrections, the child will be instructed to “take a break” – during which he/she will sit quietly and look at a book or do a short individual puzzle, etc. After a short period and a talk with the teacher/assistant the child will return to the group. All major infractions will follow the school’s disciplinary code. Students are expected to be on time for class. REQUEST FOR CONFERENCES In order to insure a prompt response, parents are asked to submit any requests for a conference in writing. Since phone calls can only be returned while on a scheduled break during school hours, parents will usually receive a brief note addressing any questions or concerns. Please check your child’s belongings daily for a written response. Conferences are only available by appointment from 2:30 to 3pm weekdays. TEACHER-STUDENT CONFIDENTIALITY If any student informs a teacher that he or she is going to harm self or others, the teacher must reveal that information even if a promise of confidentiality had been given to the student. Teacher’s will keep student’s confidence unless the information jeopardizes their own or another’s health, life or safety.
Mrs. Fauerbach's Classroom
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