Early Learning Semester: 3-Day [Preschool, Pre-K & Kinder!]

NOTE to families! You can JUMP IN at any point during the semester! Classes stand alone and your learner will be able to engage from the very first class he or she joins! We hope that you will join us for many weeks! 

Weekly concepts and support documents are always posted to the Classroom on Fridays or sent directly to your Learner so that you can prepare for class no matter when you join! Classroom community is very important and many efforts are made to build a welcoming and warm classroom environment where every child is known and included! 

Students will meet 3 days a week: Tuesday-Thursday for 40 minutes each class [2 hours per week, same content at the 4-day option!]. These classes are ideal for 3 and 4-year-olds who have some schooling experience or have the attention span to sit for 30 minutes and for 5 and 6-year-olds with any schooling experience: homeschool, private school, preschool or public school. 

Students will learn by actively participating during different segments of the class such as responding during daily rhymes, answering questions about Calendar and Weather, engaging with the teacher through comprehension and connection questions during and after a read aloud, and sharing something that connects to the daily concept by way of show and tell. (example: When we highlight the Letter Cc, students will bring something that starts with the Letter Cc, like a cup or crayon.)

Class structure:
-Warm Up: At the beginning of each class, the teacher will read a book of Hello Rhymes (example: Let's play manta ray!) or another engaging warm-up and allow students to repeat. Students will also be greeted warmly, by name. Name cards will be used so that the students can start recognizing their own name, their friends' names and learning letter sounds and blends! They may be asked a question like, "What did you play with this morning?" or "Did you play outside yesterday?"

-Calendar & Weather: Each class time, students will say and spell the month of the year, count to the date (example: count to 17 on the 17th), use dots on a ten frame to help the students develop number sense, sing a song about the months of the year and a song about the days of the week. Songs may be presented by sharing a screen with the students through the Zoom app. 
Students will take turns telling about the type of weather, the season and the temperature for that day during our WEATHER REPORT!! :)

-Read Aloud: Teacher will read a story and ask connection and comprehension questions during and after the story. Books will be read with expression, different voices and fun. Books will capture the students' attention! They may be connected to a theme or concept. The teacher will speak clearly and allow the students to see the pages while the book is read aloud. Favorite books may be read more than once during the semester! 

-Song Break: During this time students will sing a song about the highlighted concept. The teacher may also do a short lesson using manipulatives, posters, whiteboard or flashcards. Concepts will be shared by category (example: colors, letters, numbers, simple shapes, etc.) Songs will likely be on a shared screen through the Zoom app. ***Please note that MANY skills will be taught all throughout the classes even if they are not the focus concept of the day. 

-Show and Tell: Students will know the concepts before the classes begin. Students should have their show and tell item before coming to class. They will be able to share it with the group, if they choose to do so. They are welcome to share 1-2 sentences about their item. This allows children to demonstrate their understanding of the concept and to practice speaking in front of others! 
*Please note: Show and Tell topics will be shared at least a week in advance so that students can prepare their show and tell items! 

-Closing Thoughts and Encouragement, Good Bye Rhymes: The teacher will end the class by giving a warm encouragement to the students for their hard work and focus during class. The teacher will share the Good Bye Rhymes with the students. If time allows, she will give time for the students to repeat the rhymes.