Learning Together Preschool
Learn ~ Grow ~ Thrive
Learning Together Preschool Curriculum
Learning Together Preschool uses as a guideline the Oregon Early Childhood Foundation Standards. Our curriculum is taught through monthly themes using hands-on activities. Here is an example of the concepts that we will explore in our curriculum.
Math
All mathematic concepts found below are reinforced by reading age appropriate topic books, singing/action songs, manipulatives, and playing games which support the learning
- Numerals 1-10
- Counting objects to 10
- One-to-one correspondence of objects to 10
- Recognizes numerals 1-20
- Sorting: By object, shape, size, color (Taught through countless manipulatives i.e. buttons, insects, farm, dinosaur, and safari animals, transportation vehicles, barbie doll shoes etc.)
- Recognizes, duplicates and extends simple patterns AB, AABB, ABC using a wide variety of materials
- Sizes and Weight: small, medium, large
- Recognizes Shapes: square, rectangle, circle, triangle, diamond/rhombus, heart and oval (Taught through games i.e. shape bingo, memory games also geoboard, tangrams, and pattern block geometric designs)
- Matching: symbols, shapes, patterns, etc.
- Estimation
- Uses descriptive words such as: up, down, over, under, top, bottom, inside, outside, in front of and behind, heavy, light, more, less, first, last long and short.
- Same and Different
- More, Less, Same
- Time: Day and Night
- Money: Explore through games, songs, and pretend play
Language and Literacy Development
- Retells main ideas of familiar stories, songs or poems
- Answer questions about stories, tells and retells stories from books and experiences
- Draw pictures and dictate sentences about stories and experiences
- Repeat simple nursery rhymes and finger plays
- Recognizes matching sounds and rhymes in familiar words (cat, hat, bat, rat, etc.)
- Associates sounds with written letters
- Concepts of print: left to right direction, holding a book right-side-up
- Exposure to alphabet: letter names and sounds
- Identifies letters of the alphabet
- Matching upper and lower case letters
- Copies or writes familiar words and own name
- Shows progression from using scribbles, shapes or pictures to represent ideas, to writing recognizable letters
- Recognizing letters in his/her name
- Build new vocabulary
- Build listening skills
- Strengthen visual discrimination
- Sequencing
- Develop fine motor skills: play dough, scissors, writing utensils, legos, etc.
Science
- Makes observations and predictions, and tries things out to discover what will happen
- Shows curiosity and inquiry through play (becomes intentional when choosing blocks for construction or experiments with toys and other materials to test speed, falling etc.
- In the following areas learning together preschoolers will explore and observe:
- Explore science tools: magnets, prisms, magnifying glasses, etc.
- Experience the world through nature walks, year-around gardening, and other explorations
- Observe insect life: crickets, ants, worms and butterflies
- Experience and observe vermicomposting (worm composting)
- Observe plant growth
- Observe weather and plant life during each season (observation record books are always available to document what the child observes.)
- Measure and mix ingredients in cooking activities (weekly)
- Identify basic colors and explore color mixing
- Make observational drawings and dictation
- Explore the world with the five senses
- Investigate animals, the homes they live in, the food they eat
- Observe/study a “bearded dragon” our special preschool pet
Creative Arts
- Explore a variety of art processes: painting, drawing, sculpture, weaving, collage, etc.
- Use a variety of art materials: crayons, tempera paint, watercolor paint, colored pencils, markers, oil pastels, art chalk, clay
- Experiment with mixing paint colors
- Child uses materials in a variety of ways in creative expression (big/small paint brushes, single and mixed colors, duck tape, glitter glue, ribbon, crape paper jewels, sequins, buttons etc.)
- Sing traditional songs and songs that enhance the curriculum
- Participate in movement songs and dances
- Use scarves, rhythm sticks, and bean bags to practice rhythms
- Use a variety of children's instruments
- Participate in dramatic play
- Dramatize familiar stories
- Act out the movements and sounds of animals
Social Skills
- Practice problem-solving skills in social situations
- Work in groups or with a partner on a variety of projects
- Share classroom materials with the group
- Practice using manners: please, thank you, excuse me, table manners
- Communicate his/her needs
- Take care of his/her own basic needs: fasten clothing, use tissue as needed, etc.
- State personal information: first and last name, age, school name, city, state, country
- Explore types of work and workers
- Explore modes of transportation
Physical Education and Health
- Develops strength, dexterity and control needed to master use of markers, pencils, brushes, crayons, scissors, paper punch, stapler and hammer (pulls caps off markers and replaces them firmly, etc.)
- Demonstrates control and balance by: marching, hopping, running, jumping, pulling toys, pushing boxes, etc.
- Demonstrates growing independence in hygiene and personal care such as hand washing after toilet, before eating, after animal handling, etc., wiping nose
- Follows program safety rules
Social Emotional Development
- Expresses awareness of self in terms of specific abilities, characteristics and preferences (“I’m taller than this rock!)
- Manages feelings and is able to calm self
- Attempts to resolve conflicts by using a variety of strategies other than aggression
- Uses compromise and discussion while working, planning, playing and resolving conflicts with peers
- Initiates, engages and sustains peer interactions; shares toys and materials during play
- Identifies his/her personal characteristics including name, age, and gender
- Describes similarities and differences among families and communities (Joseph says hello in some other language)
Social Science
- Demonstrates the ability to put events in correct sequence (describes what takes place during different parts of the day, retells story, talks about an event outside using terms such as first, then etc.)
- Understands basic rules and understands consequences for actions (he/she throws sand; they will not be able to play in the sand box, etc.)
Logic & Reasoning
- Classifies, compares, and contrast objects, events, and experiences
- Uses past knowledge to build new knowledge
- Engages in pretend play and acts out roles
- Recognizes the difference between pretend or fantasy situations and reality
Social Studies
- Recognizes aspects of the environment such as roads, buildings, trees, gardens, bodies of water, or land formations
- Recognizes that people share the environment with other people, animals, and plants
- Understand that people can take care of the environment through activities such as recycling
Weekly Cooking
Year-Round Gardening
We’ll have year-round gardening where children will experience a wide range of gardening activities. Children will observe the seasonal changes of a maple tree to growing strawberry plants, planting spring seeds and bulbs, as well as creating an herb and butterfly garden.
Year-Round Vermicomposting (Worm Composting)
Outside we house red worms (red wigglers) in a sturdy flexible 4 tray worm bin container. Children will help manage the farm. They will quickly see how solid waste products can be transformed into top soil! This soil will be used in children’s garden projects.