Mrs. Hart's 4-K Class Syllabus
Mrs. Harts Pre Kindergarten Class Syllabus
4-K Kindergarten Syllabus 2006-2007
Northwest Child Development Center
Teacher Assistant: Tammy Timms
Room #
The overall goal of 4-K is to improve childrens understanding of the world and to strengthen their desire to continue learning. Appropriate, intellectually challenging learning opportunities are planned to help students meet state and district learner standards in language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, physical development, the arts, and personal/social development. In addition, NWCDC seeks to use the data gathered in the K-4 screening to better prepare four year olds for the more rigorous expectations of
K-5 and lay a firm foundation for successful life long learning.
K4 Mission Statement
To develop a positive relationship between students, families, and school
as students begin their journey through education.
Our Vision
We will begin now to inspire our students towards college by goal setting (Plan-Do-Review), by behavioral standards, by exposure to academic skills, and by establishing a nurturing environment.
Daily Schedule:
Grade Level Standards
Grade Level Standards for Language Arts and Math are attached.
Units of Instruction Aligned With Standards *
The High/Scope preschool key experiences and the District learner expectations for four-year-olds provide a composite picture of early childhood development. They are fundamental to young childrens construction of knowledge, take place repeatedly over an extended period, and describe the concepts and relationships young children are striving to understand. They occur in active learning settings in which children have opportunities to :
· make choices and decisions
· manipulate materials
· interact with peers and adults
· experience special events
· reflect in ideas and actions
· use language impersonally meaningful ways
· receive appropriate adult support
Providing children with a structured learning environment that builds on childrens prior knowledge and interests can be accomplished by integrating instruction to maximize meaning through:
1> Thematic Units (Inquiry Based)
2> Literature-Based Instruction
3> Key Experiences/ Work Sampling
4> Projects
The following topics are what we intend to cover with our children through the course of this year. The teacher will facilitate learning so that each of the Key Experiences/Work Sampling will be included in each unit of inquiry. Students will make webs, generate lists, ask questions and solve problems as they discover many aspects about each of the topics of study. In both large and small group sessions, the teacher will teach key skills that are needed in order for the students to implement their work. These skills will cover the Key Experiences and Work Sampling of which a copy had been attached. Field experiences are included with the topics.
Year Long Project Study - “Community and Community Helpers”
September - October : “Colors”
November - December : “Traditions/Celebrations”
January - February ; “Rhythm and Rhymes”
March - May: “Growing Up”
August-September (3 weeks) “Colors” Our School /All About Me / Friendship / Intro Colors
October (4 weeks) Fall and changing colors / Farm / Pumpkins & Apples/Spiders & Webs
November (4 weeks) “Traditions/Celebrations” Food Groups /Thankfulness / Thanksgiving
December (3 weeks) Winter / Five Senses / Traditions
January (4 weeks) Snow/Ice/ Liquids & Solids /Hot & Cold / Sink & Float
February (3 weeks) Friendship /Black History / Dental Health / Shadows & Light
March (4 weeks) “Growing Up” Spring / Kites / Transportation & Vehicles / animals
April (3 weeks) Insects / Easter/ Plants & Seeds /Health & Safety
May(2 weeks) “self study”
~ Rhymes and rhythm will be implemented throughout the school year.
Assessment/Evaluation of Student Progress
Evidence of assessment will include the following sources:
· Anecdotal records based on teacher observation
· Work samples and other portfolio entries
· Student and parent interviews
· Photographs
· Constructions and artifacts
· Project documentation
· DIAL-3 Pre and Post Test
· Work Sampling
*Individual Standards will be addressed in Daily Lesson Plans
Early Childhood Instructional Materials and Resources
Early childhood programs actively involve children in learning experiences consistent with their development and help children acquire a strong foundation for future learning. A basic list of 4-K materials is attached. Additional materials are rotated into the classroom as appropriate for specific themes and /or projects.
Student Records
Student portfolios are shared with parents throughout the year. Examples of childrens work are given to receiving teachers.
DIAL-3 Pre and Post Tests are placed in the students Permanent Record File.
Home/School Connections
Parents will be provided with a weekly classroom newsletter correlating to school activities, standards, and home expectations. Family members are always welcome to be a part of the classroom experience and are provided with four planned Family Activity Days during the school year. Parents are encouraged to share special skills and talents relating to jobs or hobbies, serve as classroom volunteers, assist with field trips and special activities, collect materials for classrooms, attend parent educations workshops and network with other parents and community members. Attached are examples and schedules of school/family connections.
Attendance and Tardy Policies
Every learning day is important. Regular prompt attendance helps young children build a lifetime of good school habits. Families will be contacted when attendance or late arrival impedes student learning. 4-K participates in school incentive programs for on-time attendance planned and carried out by the administration and attendance clerk.
Building Responsible and Respectful Behavior
Our goals are to build self-discipline, respect of others, and develop individual responsibility. Clear and consistent expectations and routines provide a framework for responsible student behavior. Cones Seven Rules for Good Behavior are taught and emphasized throughout each school day. Individual and small group problem solving skills will be used as the primary method for resolving conflicts. Serious problems will be referred to the administration and Cones excellent support staff in an effort to work with the family in the best interest of the child and the class as a whole.
Procedures for Non-Instructional Routines
· The school attendance clerk will make changes in the SASI Computer System in address and phone numbers through periodic updating of the School Information Form. Teachers will transfer that information into their classroom records. Parents will also be reminded in the classroom newsletters to inform the school of any changes.
· Both the teacher and teaching assistant accompany 4-K students to the front sidewalk of the school at 2:30PM. Parents have been given color-coded car cards to display in their front windshields to identify them as 4-K parents. The teacher or teaching assistant escorts bus students to the bus.
· Student book bags, rest mats, and towels are labeled with student names. Parents are encouraged to label coats and jackets and to inform the teacher when such items are missing. The school Lost and Found area is located in the teachers workroom.
· Parents are asked to send all monies for breakfast/lunch, field trips or other needs in a sealed enveloped labeled with the students name.
· Students are asked not to bring personal items or toys to school except for specified sharing activities.
· Student bathrooms are located in a hallway adjacent to the classrooms with separate bathrooms for boys and girls. Students are accompanied to the bathrooms by the teaching assistant or the teacher and allowed to use the bathroom, one at a time, as needed. An extra change of clothing is kept in the students book bag in case of an accident.
Communication With Parents
The 4-K Program supports the development of children as lifelong learners through partnerships with each childs home and family. Parents will be contacted throughout the school year and are encouraged to call the school or send a note if a concern arises. Each family will receive:
· A copy of the classroom rules and procedures
· Student work samples
· Weekly newsletters describing class and school activities
· Notification of scheduled home visits, parent-teacher conferences, parent meetings, and family activities
· Invitations to special class and school events
Student progress will be reported to parents through home visits, conferences and project celebrations. No letter or numerical grades are assigned in 4K and report cards are not distributed.
Physical Development / Health
The child will be able to :
* Coordinate large muscles for hopping, skipping, and running;
* Use small muscle coordination for writing, drawing, and cutting;
* Use various drawing and art tools (pens, pencils, paint brushes, markers);
* Use motor skills to perform self-care tasks like tying shoes and zipping coats; and
* Follow basic health and safety rules like washing hands.
Personal and Social Development
The child will be able to:
* Confidently grow in skills and abilities;
* Show initiative and self-direction in actions;
* Follow classroom rules and handle changes in routine;
* Show eagerness and curiosity as a learner;
* Attend to tasks over a period of time;
* Interact positively with adults and with other children; and
* Show empathy and caring for others.
The Arts
The child will be able to:
* Show interest and appreciation for the work of others;
* Participate in creative movement, drama, and music activities;
* Participate in group music experiences; and
* Use a variety of art materials to express ideas and feelings.
Home / School Connections
Home Visits
There are three Home Visits with each family during the school year: one before school begins, the second in February, the last is at the end of the year. The purpose of these is to promote a connection between home and the school. The positive connection causes a greater enhancement of education for the children through cooperation and shared information.
Parent Meetings
There will be approximately three parent meetings during the year. The first will be an Open House during the first part of the school year. The remaining will relate to various resources available to families, projects that we are involved in, and topics of interest to parents. Childcare will be provided, at no cost.
Family Activities
There will be approximately 7 - 10 Family Activities during the year. Children may not attend the Family Activity without their parent(s) or guardian(s). There are four district-sponsored activities planned:
Roper Mountain Science Center K4 Day - September
Family Concert - March
Kids SAFE Program - April
K4 Family Zoo Night - May
Other tentative Family Activities include:
Parent/Child Christmas Event - December
Snow Carnival- Jan - March
Family Fun Day - April
K4 Success Celebration - May
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