Pre-Kindergarten will be offered at all three CDA campuses beginning in August of 2008. Students must be 4 years old on or before September 1.
Saxon Early Learning curriculum supplies a comprehensive, fully integrated course that addresses the educational needs of young children. The program incorporates many aspects of a solid preK curriculum: social, personal, and emotional development; language and early literacy; physical development and movement; health and safety; math and science. Children are introduced to learning through a combination of predictable routines, a safe, nurturing environment, and high expectations.
The school year is broken down into three instructional segments: “I Wonder,” “I Discover,” and “I Explore.” These segments provide a supportive framework for progressing through the school year sequentially, moving children from an understanding of their own personal experiences to an appreciation of the wider world.
In “I Wonder” the children are helped to feel comfortable about being in school. They consider new ideas about themselves, their friends, and their family members. The “I Discover” segment includes themes that prepare children for the early primary grades by introducing such topics as weather and seasons, their neighborhood, the wider community, and the world of living things. The “I Explore” segment encourages the children to examine the physical world around them, to begin to understand how living things are found in a variety of habitats, and to appreciate the world of imagination through art, literature, music, and movement.
Studies begin with a theme-related “center time.” Centers are set up with activities that connect to the particular concept being studied that day. Daily calendar activities facilitate discussions about time, seasons, weather, and other events relative to the children’s lives.
The Bible lesson of the day includes the reading of Scripture and prayer time. The Bible curriculum begins with Creation and moves all the way through the Old and New Testaments. Children learn from studying character traits displayed by people in the Bible.
Literature covers a wide spectrum of fiction and nonfiction selections. Riddles, fairy tales, nursery rhymes, sing-along stories, and photo essays provide opportunities for the children to play with words and sounds. Basic phonemic awareness is emphasized daily when students practice recognizing and blending letter sounds. Letter cards are used to teach the names of letters and picture cards teach the sounds for letters.
As in all grade levels, Coram Deo Academy tailors the program to incorporate age-appropriate activities. PreK students have music class and spend time moving to music. Children delight in singing and listening to music and with their high energy levels they love to move a lot!
Basic mathematical concepts are introduced in math. The goal is to create an awareness of the fundamental role math plays in everyday life. Children concentrate on developing skills involving time, the calendar, counting, patterns, and shapes.
Key academic components are concentrated in the morning when young children are at their freshest. Review time is incorporated before dismissal; children are given time to relax and reflect on what they have done and learned in school that day. Formal rest period is offered in the afternoon.
In keeping with the CDA teacher/parent partnership, preK students receive an assignment sheet each week. This shows what was done in class as well as what you are to do during the “at home” component. Although the homework load is light, it provides valuable reinforcement and excellent training for future years of educating coram deo.
