​​Our day is a balance of structure and flexibility.  We have a set schedule as with consistency and predictability children become familiar and secure with their routine. However, throughout the day, the teachers remain flexible to accommodate student interests, learning styles, and other activities.  

Welcome and Open Play Centers – Students wash their hands upon arrival. All the centers are open during this time. Students are free to explore and use their imagination in the dramatic play area with Castle Kordas, blocks/construction center, sensory table, manipulative and math center, puzzles, train table, dollhouse, action hero’s station, music, reading, listening center, games, coloring, books and much more. We have taken great care in creating centers designed to awaken the senses and inspire the imagination. During center time teachers continually interact with students. They may pose questions or help with problem-solving skills.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

students to socialize, work on their manners, and take responsibility. We express the importance of washing hands before any meal. Students then get their snacks themselves. This experience enables them to gain valuable self-help skills and gain confidence. We stress the importance of manners and have children use manners such as “yes please” and “No thank you”. At the end of the snack, students clean up after themselves, including taking care of any recycling materials from their snack.

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Outside Playtime – During outside playtime, students are provided the opportunity to run, climb, jump, and play independently. Outside play helps develop gross motor skills, spatial awareness, conflict resolution, and cooperation. Students need to move and experiment to master balance, improve coordination, and develop both large and small muscle groups. Through outdoor play, children gain confidence and body awareness. Students are allowed to choose either independent or teacher-directed activities. Teacher and students play one-on-one basketball games, toss across, 4 square, ghost-ghost-bat, red-light green-light, etc. 

Lesson and Monthly Theme Discussion – Lesson time focuses more on letters, numbers, letter sounds, and math concepts such as counting, graphing, sequencing, and patterning. The monthly theme is interwoven throughout the daily curriculum but at this time there may be more focus or concentration.

Learning Centers - Centers are both teacher-directed and student-initiated. Students can make independent choices and develop areas of unique interest. Centers allow students to engage in active, hands-on, concrete experiences and ongoing interaction with appropriate materials, equipment, and people in the learning environment. Learning centers are created to appeal to a full range of children’s intelligences. We ensure that the toys throughout the centers will intrigue and engage a student in constructive play. Students will learn positive social/emotional skills such as; sharing with others, helping each other, being responsible, taking care of property, and cleaning up. In our learning centers, we look for toys that are powered by a child’s imagination as this improves their fine motor skills, concentration, and hand-eye coordination and also gives them proactive problem-solving skills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean Up - Cleaning up is made fun of with a song and/or a game. We also make this time into a learning experience. We might have one child clean up all the red blocks while another cleans up and counts all the vegetables in the kitchen area. By breaking down a big task, we help students organize it into a smaller more manageable one. In this manner, children learn to follow directions, recognize colors, learn simple counting methods, cooperate, and take responsibility for their classroom.

Closing Circle - The closing circle reflects on the skills and concepts learned during the day. This time helps reinforce students' experiences throughout the day.