Curriculum Information 

Creative Curriculum

Curriculum is focused on social skills for the 2 and 3-year-olds, and preparation for transitional kindergarten or kindergarten - we balance the requirements of both socially and academically preparing for elementary school. It is our goal that students leave Saint Mark’s Preschool ready for school and with a love of learning.

Our curriculum is a balance of emergent curriculum driven by the children’s interest in particular topics, generated from individual or common interests of the class, and traditional structured preschool skill learning. We like our students to be OUTSIDE as much as possible and to use our two wonderful yards to the fullest extent. Outdoor play provides children with opportunities to explore, to be creative with open-ended play, to be risk-takers and to be unstructured. We are working towards the creation of a more intentional outdoor classroom environment in addition to the inside activities offered.

Please send your child to school in clothes that can get dirty and covered with art materials. We encourage exploration and curiosity. Within the safe confines of our yards, we allow freedom to imagine and experiment under the watchful guidance and engagement of our teachers. All aspects of the curriculum and learning happen both inside and outside. Activities are designed to strengthen fine motor and gross motor skills at an age appropriate level.

Carpet/story time will take place both inside and outside at various times during the day. We provide information via a parent app about activities on a regular basis.

Social Development

We focus on helping children identify their own emotions and how to articulate these feelings towards others. We talk about respecting our friends, families, teachers, as well as ourselves, and encourage independence by teaching basic self-help skills (washing hands, cleaning up, etc). Learning how to take responsibility for their actions, children will develop a sense of community within the classroom, school-wide through cooperative learning and play activities and outside our school.

Language and Literacy

We recognize that language development is unique to every child. Taking time to learn how your child communicates then helping them to increase their verbal skills is a focus of the 2 and 3-year-old rooms. Language develops through interactions between child and teacher and between a child and their classmates. We guide speech development through role modeling encouraging them to use their words when they are trying to express their needs and wants. Language activities are initiated during carpet times, table activities and free play. For our older students, we build language communication skills, both orally and written, through daily exposure in large and small group activities. This includes recognizing, tracing or printing uppercase or lowercase letters along with phonetic awareness and high frequency word memorization. We love books and aim to encourage our students to share this enjoyment. We read books at carpet time inside and outside and throughout the day in a more informal manner. Reading comprehension is developed through questions and discussion both in group and individual settings. Teachers use different mediums and situations to foster language development across all parts of the day.

Math and Science

Activities inside and outside range from preschool staples such as Legos and puzzles to unique activities connected to current student interests. We introduce mathematical and scientific skills at an age appropriate level, including shape recognition, sorting and classifying and simple step sequencing. Older students are taught mathematical vocabulary through activities that include currency, measurement, time, estimation, geometry and comparisons. We recognize children’s innate curiosity about the world around them asking children to observe and ponder both natural elements they encounter daily and more abstract concepts such as space or biodiversity. Science activities include table-top experiments and observations and larger scale activities on the yards, such as using our outdoor magnet wall learning about ramps and slopes and our vertical Lego wall for creating geometric 3D designs. Sensory experiments inside and outside include playdough, sand, water, mud play and many other materials.

Creative Art

As well as helping develop fine motor skills, art builds self-esteem, fosters observation and critical thinking, and provides the simple joy and fulfillment of creating. We are very proud of the open-ended and process (movable) artwork that we facilitate for the children to enjoy here at the preschool; individual creativity blossoms and children can feel good about their achievements. Art allows students to express themselves as they interpret the world around them and use their senses to explore color and textures. Art is offered all day long, inside and outside, allowing students to learn how to use different mediums. Activities vary from individual work to small group to large or class group projects.

Music and Movement

We listen to music for much of the day. At carpet and other times, we use singing, dancing, movement, finger plays and modelling to learn and to have fun. Outside, we dance on the yard often! We have musical instruments in all rooms, and a wonderful music wall in the backyard. The teachers recognize that for some students music and movement is a crucial part of their individual learning style, and we incorporate it into as much of the program as possible. Music helps develop and improve coordination and balance, and it allows children to express feelings and emotions. At times, depending on the interests and skills of particular teachers, children get to dance to live music played on a keyboard or a guitar. The church Director of Music performs monthly “mini” concerts for the children with music and singing of songs associated with cultural and other themes.

Cultural/Diversity Curriculum

It is important for us to teach respect for and understanding of the different races and cultures that are represented by the families we serve. Whether through cultural themes highlighting a particular country or part of the world, or through individual class focus on a culture represented by students, we strive to instill respect for the customs and traditions of people around the world and within our community. We learn about language, food, traditions, music, art, fauna, flora and geography. We welcome input and help from families to supplement our cultural curriculum throughout the year.

Chapel

Our TK students attend age appropriate chapel services monthly, led by Assistant Director, Stephanie. This is a time intentionally set aside for God and exposes the children to the worship traditions of the Episcopal Church with singing and prayer, to introduce children to thinking of others and empathy and kindness - and most of all: that God loves each and every child THIS MUCH (which is a whole lot!).