Class Offerings Backup

Through games, hands-on activities, and projects, we explore the wonderful world of numbers and the many ways they affect our lives. We find creative techniques for introducing such concepts as sequencing, patterns, and graphs—all while having fun. The excitement continues in the second half of our time together as we encourage movement through games and songs. Sometimes we take the fun outside for a nature walk on the Angel Path or an obstacle course on the playground.

Our goal is to help children experience the joy of finding their own answers to questions about the everyday world. This class is a place to think about the “why” and “how” of it all. Through experiments, nature walks, and art projects, there are many opportunities for children to simply play and spontaneously explore. Science covers a broad spectrum of topics: the Physical World (heat, light, color, wind, sound, magnetism, gravity); the Earth (rocks, sand, air, water); the Cosmos (sun, moon, space exploration, astronauts); Our Bodies/Living Things (plants, animals, growth, change, seasons, the human body); and many professions related to science. This class offers a first exposure to a lifelong interest in science and nature.

We enhance and broaden literacy and faith through reading poems, the Bible, and nursery rhymes, and through enjoying finger plays and story time. Lessons are accompanied by an art project to enhance fine-motor skills and to encourage following directions. Of course, we move around quite a bit and have fun doing it all!

Our little nutritionists learn about where food comes from and how it grows, and even enjoy a monthly tasting party to sample a variety of foods. We base our curriculum on both the traditional food pyramid and its corresponding five food groups, as well as on the USDA's food-guidance initiative called MyPlate. In fitness, we learn about our growing bodies and try our hand at everything from tennis to creative movement and stretching.

Through songs and games, the children learn basic vocabulary, including numbers, colors, clothing, parts of the body, family, animals, and food. Learning about Hispanic traditions and religious holidays is an integral part of the program.

The 3-year-old enrichment class is an extension of our morning program. Children may attend from one to five afternoons as desired. Each session begins with lunch, followed by fun on the playground or in the All Purpose Room with friends. After lunch, the session continues with some quiet time to read and/or rest before circle time, which includes stories, fingerplays, and music. Activities are age appropriate, focused on themes and seasonal activities, and incorporate art projects, gross-motor activities, and hands-on exploration. The afternoon complements the learning that occurs in the morning classrooms.