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    Course Description:  Our program is the Virginia Preschool Initiative, which provides a high-quality preschool experience for 4-year olds.  The standards that our children learn are Virginia's Early Learning and Development standards. They focus on 6 areas of development for young children, which are Approaches to Play and Learning, Social and Emotional Development, Communication, Language and Literacy Development, Health and Physical Development and Cognitive Development.  The curriculum that we use is Tools of the Mind.  This curriculum is aligned with our Early Learning and Development standards to support the development of all children.

     

    Instructional Philosophy:I believe that an environment where each individual is valued, respected, and feels welcomed, creates a strong basis for learning and growth. Students have lessons given with the whole group and small group instruction. Students have lessons given in small groups. We learn alphabet names and sounds, followed by graphics practice and motor skill building, literacy, and math lessons daily. Students also have an opportunity to learn through creative play. Educational centers such as science, art, dramatic play, manipulatives, blocks, and literacy keep young learners exploring and learning as well. Students gain communication and social skills through daily interactions with peers alongside social and emotional lessons and coaching during everyday occurrences. It is my goal that each student falls in love with learning, gain appreciation for learning and foster a healthy sense of community in our classroom. 

    Major Course Goals:  Our teaching team will provide a program of study using the Early Learning and Development standards where our children feel loved and safe.  We hope to develop a differentiated  and inclusive classroom where all children can learn.  We will use a wide variety of teaching strategies and educational materials to enhance the learning for all children.  All of this will prepare our children to enter kindergarten ready to learn.

     

    Major Course Projects & Instructional Activities:  The instructional activities in our program are developmentally appropriate for our very young learners.  Children learn through doing so many of our activities are hands-on experiences.  We must build up the children’s  fine motor skills before they can write. Before we can expose children to a new concept, we must build their background knowledge and vocabulary.   

    A schedule for a preschool student includes many routines, changes, and classes. Students have full school experiences with;

    • Cafeteria for Meals
    • Small and Large group learning
    • English Language Arts
    • Special Classes (Art, Gym, Library, Music)
    • Math 
    • Recess
    • Social Studies/ Science

     

    Course Assessment Plan

    We will assess our children in the areas of literacy, math, social emotional and self-regulation 2-3 times a school year for the children to show what they have learned and how they have progressed over the year.

     

    Classroom Expectations:  We expect that children come to school every day and on time and to be open and willing to learn.  We expect children to be curious.  

    Our classroom rules are that we have:

    • Looking eyes
    • Listening ears 
    • Quiet mouths
    • Helping hands
    • Walking feet

    Our school expectations are that we come to school ready to

    • Be kind and respectful

    • Learn and do our best

    • Take care of our school

     

    Supplies and Materials Needed:  At preschool we provide all the materials and supplies that your child will need to learn.


    You can reach me at my email address:  jbratton@mail.dps.k12.va.us or at 434-773-8301 Monday thru Friday between the hours of 8:35am-3:00pm.