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 and poetry 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 shelter for women & children.

Our classes for 2½ year olds and 3 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 Pre-K classes use the curriculum "Handwriting Without Tears" to learn letters, numbers, language literacy, and writing. Of course, the Pre-K students continue to grow socially and emotionally as they learn more about themselves and each other in cooperative play.

Our schedule includes:

• Welcome activity
• Circle 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 pertain to the theme.
• Chapel--takes place in First Lutheran Church's sanctuary, once a week on Wednesdays and the 1st Thursday of the month.
• Snack--fresh fruit and cereal or pretzels to eat, and water to drink.
• Recess--indoor space is available for large motor activities when the weather does not permit us to go outside on our playground.

STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) is an optional class for Pre-K. The curriculum is project-based where children are encouraged to form questions and do research using hands-on exploration. Building on natural curiosity, children are encouraged to interact, question, connect, problem-solve, communicate, reflect, and more. A weekly nature walk in a small wooded area on our campus provides opportunities to observe the changing seasons. "Handwriting Without Tears" is also included in the curriculum. Children draw their observations in journals and dictate stories for the teachers to record. STEAM is for children age 4-5 years.

The STEAM schedule includes:

• 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?
• 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.
• Recess--indoor space is available for large motor activities when the weather does not permit us to go outside on our playground.

Chapel Time in First Lutheran's Sanctuary

MONDAY AND FRIDAY FUN DAYS 
Fun Days is our after school enrichment program for 3-5 year olds. Children stay for Lunch Bunch, then meet from 12:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. for additional outside play (weather permitting) and exploration (indoors and outdoors) of fun themes.  Themes in past years have included safari adventures, circus, travel around the world, making teddy bears, and more!  Fees can be found on our tuition page.

LUNCH BUNCH  
Lunch Bunch is 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and open to all 3-5 year olds. Children bring their lunch from home and eat together with their school friends.  We serve 1% milk and water. Parents should not pack food containing peanuts or tree nuts, including peanut butter.