Pre-K is a special and unique environment which offers a wealth of stimulating, engaging and exciting experiences. The aim of the curriculum is to equip every child with a sense of self-confidence and the ability to become an enthusiastic and interactive learner. This is achieved through a challenging academic program with an emphasis on the development of literacy and math. Children also participate in structured play activities, sport, music, painting and making models, drama and science. Activities are designed to develop children’s motor, affective, relational and intellectual capacities. Pre-K at FASSV establishes the foundation for all future learning and success in school.

Math

• Recognizes numbers 0 to 10.
• Performs rote counting 1 to 20.
• Counts 1 to 10 objects, actions or sounds.
• Forms groups of 0 to10 objects and matches the correct number to each group.
• Arranges groups of objects in one0to-one correspondence.
• Compares groups of objects to determine more, less, or same/equal to using one-to-one correspondence.
• Participates in solving simple addition and subtraction number stories by joining and removing objects.
• Identifies and describes the similarities and differences of objects.
• Sorts and classifies objects by their attributes.
• Recognizes, copies, extends and generates patterns.
• Locates objects using position and direction words, such as next to and behind.
• Compares and sorts geometric shapes by common attributes.
• Recognizes, copies, extends, and generates patterns.
• Recognizes, identifies and describes 2- and 3- dimensional shapes.
• Compares and orders objects by size, weight, height and length.
• Identifies and compares coins by size and markings.
• Sequences events using time concepts, such as morning/afternoon/night.
• Explores the purpose and use of clocks and calendars.
• Collects and displays data about people, objects, and events using objects, pictures and graphs.

Sounds of language

• Learning nursery rhymes, songs and poems
• Experimenting with international, rhythm and pitch.
• Rhythmic games involving languages.
• Identifying the sounds of language.

Listening and oral language

• Recalling vocabulary on a given theme
• Classifying words according to various criteria; words designating animate or inanimate objects, word families.
• Listening to a wide variety of traditional oral texts
• Discussing different pieces of writing

Writing

• Using a sheet of paper
• Discovery types of lines
• Arranging traces on straight lines
• First writing attempts
• Copying regular forms, words or letters.
• Exploring how alphabetical writing works
• Discovering the spatial organization of written information

Science

• Playing construction games
• Assembly and taking objects apart
• Discovery the properties of natural materials
• The notion of air and water
• Observing the effects of light
• Body parts
• Discovery, observing and describing nature
• Learning practical activities such a s gardening or caring for animals
• Identifying varied environments
• Learning to identify sources of pollution
• Learning basic rules of health education
• Developing sensory capacities

Social Studies

Content in this area is integrated thematically through literature and corresponding activities, and is aimed at meeting the major program goals through:

• Gaining cultural knowledge and perspective towards tolerance and world peace.
• Democratic understanding and sense of its values, rights and responsibilities towards fostering and appreciation of freedom for all people.
• Social participation to develop the critical thinking skills necessary for group problem solving on the local, national and global level.
• Equip students with the historical basis necessary for the understanding of the social and political problems and concerns of their own time.

Multi-cultural and holiday based themes and celebrations

• Columbus and the Native Americans in the New World.
• Halloween
• Thanksgiving
• Hanukkah, Christmas, Ramadan, Kwaanza, Chinese New Year
• Valentine’s Day
• Martin Luther King and African Americans
• Washington and Lincoln, Presidents day
• Cinco de Mayo, Passover, ester, may day, Mother’s day
• Japanese Girls’ day, Japanese Boys’ Day
• Memorial Day
• Flag Day
• Earth Day

Theater and Drama

• The notion of characters
• Short structured stories
• The balance between reality and fiction
• Going to see a drama production
• Participating in informal drama productions
  

Music

• Simple voice range
• Vocal games based on songs, nursery rhymes or poems
• Voicing tales
• Instrumental activities
• Body movements synchronized with music
• Listening to the world of sound
• Listening to different types of music from different countries, time periods and styles