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: Students will engage in many hands-on, child-directed activities that foster critical thinking. Lessons will involve different learning modalities to ensure that every child succeeds, no matter the learning style. Our day consists of literacy, social and emotional, mathematics, science and social studies lessons. Students will actively participate in whole group, small group and individual instruction. Circle Time Breakfast Literacy Math Centers Playtime Lunch Specials Rest Review Day 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 you 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. 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 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 material and supplies that your child will need to learn. Time and Place to be Reached by Parent: Lshorter@mail.dps.k12.va.us 8:00 a.m. until 3:50 p.m.