The Pre-K/TK Classroom

Tuition and Schedule Information

Socialization

Because we are preparing your child for Kindergarten, you will notice that the structure of the classroom is much different than the open format of the preschool program. In Pre-K, your child will:

Be expeced to participate in learning centers within small rotating groups
Be expected to participate in discussions and activities during circle time and centers
Be expected to work independently and cooperatively during class time

Social & Natural Sciences Curriculum

The monthly thematic structure provides students with the opportunity to explore the world they live in from a "child centered" perspective. Monarch's thematic structure incorporates science and social studies into the curriculum. The thematic units for the Pre-K program include:

All About Me: Developing a sense of self-awareness through the exploration of physical and emotional characteristics, preferences, and similarities and differences among peers.
The Human Body: An exploration of the five senses, the vital internal organs, the skeletal system and keeping the body safe and healthy.
Friends & Family: The child's role in their friendships in the school environment, the home environment and within their families. Students explore the similarities and differences of "families around the world".
Community: An exploration of the characteristics of a community, comparing urban and rural communities, communities around the world, and the care of one's community.
Jungle, Desert & Mountain Habitats: An introduction to the world's land regions and the animals and insects that inhabit each.
Oceans, Lake and Rivers: An introduction to the world's water habitats and the animals that live within those regions.
Dinosaurs: An exploration of reptiles, dinosaurs (herbivores & carnivores), and the role of the paleontologist.
Seasons and Weather: Understanding the characteristics of the four seasons and their role in the world's weather systems.
Space: An exploration of our sun, moon, the stars, and our solar system. Children discuss concepts of space exploration, the role of the astronaut, and alien life forms.
All About Me: A comparative look at the ways each child has grown and changed over the course of the school year.

Language Arts & Math Curriculum

The language arts curriculum incorporates lessons and practice activities that build specific pre-reading and writing skills including:

beginning phonics
sight word recognition (30+ words)
alphabet recognition
phonemic awareness
storytelling and elements of literature
dictation
pencil and paper work (handwriting)
rhyming and poetry
blending (cv, vc & cvc)

Hands on math activities are used to explore early math skills and to build a well-rounded concept of numbers and number sense. Skills include:

“I am so impressed to see how my child is developing. It is clear that he is learning in his classroom and I love being surprised by what he knows. ”

— Alisha F.

number relationships
writing and recognition
early counting
measurement concepts
geometric thinking
sorting & patterning
quantity
place value & estimation
up & back counting & counting on
less, more, equal to
two more than
introduction to 5 frame & 10 frame
introduction to fractions (parts of a whole)
number line
addition & subtraction
counting by 2's

Assessments for school readiness help to identify strengths and weakneses and provide teachers with an opportunity to individualize the curriculum for each child. Assessments are given at the beginning, middle and end of each school year and include:

Alphabet Symbols and Sounds
Phonemic Awareness
Number Sense

Academic & Enrichment Curriculum Schedule

Weekly Academics:

alphabet recognition & phononemic awareness activities
phonics lesson (a-z blending instruction)
sight word introduction
thematic unit introduction
math concept introduction
writing practice (numbers & letters)
pencil & paper activities
calendar & counting
listening comprehension
extension activities (center concept practice)
social skill lesson

Monthly Activities:

Dictation
Share Day
Enrichment Activities

Enrichment Curriculum: Enrichment activities provide students with the opportunity to practice academic concepts and expand thematic awareness in multiple formats throughout the month. The enrichment curriculum, like the academic curriculum, is structured to incorporate planned activities within learning centers.