Curriculum

We believe that children learn best through hands-on exploration and play. Therefore, we utilize a child-centered approach to education. Teachers plan lessons with the whole child in mind.  Specifically, lessons are constructed to promote growth in the following key areas; social foundations, physical well-being and motor development, language and literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts.  We allow children to make choices from a variety of interesting activities and outside exploration.

As a Christian school, we honor faith development with a prayer of thanksgiving before snack and lunch, and we are reminded of God's love for us through bible stories at chapel time.  Jesus' birthday is celebrated with songs during our lively Christmas program.  We also practice service and outreach by collecting canned goods for a local food pantry and caps & mittens for a women & children's shelter.

Our classes for 3-4 year-olds are designed to foster social and emotional growth. Children are encouraged to take turns, share with their friends, listen to a short story in circle time, learn words to communicate their feelings, make independent choices, and become confident in the culture of school.  Our program integrates the 4 C's of 21st Century education:  Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity.

Science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) activities are implemented in all of our classes. 

Our schedule:

• Welcome activity
• Circle/Meeting Time--stories, rhymes, fingerplays, sharing, and music.
• Learning Centers--dramatic play area, blocks, floor puzzles and table-top puzzles, play-dough, easel painting, art projects, library, hands-on manipulatives such as magnets, magnifying glasses, shape and counting/sorting activities, cooking, and other hands-on activities that reinforce the learning objectives.
• Chapel--takes place in First Lutheran Church's sanctuary, once a week on Wednesdays and the 1st Thursday of every month.
• Snack--fresh fruit and crackers or pretzels to eat, and water to drink.
• Recess--indoor space s available for large motor activities when the weather does not permit us to go outside on our playground.

Prekindergarten classes (ages 4+) use project-based learning, where children are encouraged to form questions and do research using hands-on exploration to learn about a topic. Building on natural curiosity, children are encouraged to interact, question, connect, problem-solve, communicate, reflect, and more.  Children are also introduced to Handwriting Without Tears, a fun way to learn how to write letters and numbers.

Project-based learning:

• Welcome activity
• Meeting Time-- Teacher led discussion to help children form questions about a topic.
• Project Development-- What will we need to research our topic?  We may have people from our community come to our classrooms to give us more information about a topic (fire fighters, dentist, etc.)
• Project Activity-- Experimentation and learning through play--may take place outside or inside.
• Project Recording-- Using art, language, and technology, children record and express what they have learned through observation and experimentation.
• Project Sharing-- Children share what they have learned and created with their families.

LUNCH BUNCH  
Children bring their lunch from home and eat together with their school friends.  Parents should not pack food containing peanuts or tree nuts, including peanut butter.

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PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 Tbsp cream of tartar
2 cups water
2 Tbsp veg oil
food coloring of choice 

1. In a saucepan, mix flour, salt, cream of tartar, water and oil.
2. Add food coloring.
3. Cook over medium heat.
4. While cooking, stir constantly until mixture forms into a ball.
5. Remove from heat and knead vigorously until no longer sticky.
6. Store in an air-tight container or enjoy immediately!

Chapel Time in First Lutheran's Sanctuary