Curriculum

Pre-K4

The pre-K4 program at Park Maitland School is designed to encourage learning while at play. Children this age learn best by 'doing' and using all of their senses. Because of this, we provide carefully planned centers and activities that are fun, engaging and challenging. We teach each of our students the social and emotional skills necessary to become a successful student, and we begin to teach conflict resolution and character development.

The reading and language arts curriculum uses the "Letter People" program, introducing alphabet letters and the hard consonant or short vowel sound of each letter. Students learn to participate in class discussions, listen attentively, follow directions and instructions, recognize all letters and their sounds, write their names, and increase their control of pencil grip, paper position and letter formation. For those who are developmentally ready, we offer opportunities to explore independent writing, transitional spelling, and beginning reading involving reading fluency as well as reading comprehension. Parent volunteers participate in our "Reading Buddies" program, offering a one-on-one supplement for reading skills. The themes presented in the language arts program are used in all subjects. This thematic presentation provides continuity and allows for higher level learning and interest.

Our Pre-K4 math program is a hands-on activity based program. Lessons are taught to the whole group and practiced and reviewed by small groups, individually, and through a math learning center. Each child is accepted at his or her own developmental level and works to improve skills. All concepts are first taught at the concrete level, gradually working up to pictorial representations and, finally, to abstract symbols. Major year-end accomplishments include counting by 1's to 50, sorting objects by shape and color, identifying and extending patterns, identifying shapes, and comparing/measuring objects by weight, amount, and

The reading and language arts program for kindergarten provides students with a research-based curriculum. The areas covered are: phonemic awareness, phonics and word knowledge, comprehension skills and strategies, inquiry skills and strategies, and writing and language arts skills and strategies. The themes that are used in this program will be continued in many of the other classes throughout the day. This program prepares students for first grade as emergent readers.

Kindergarten math teaches students strategies through math activities, instructional games, and daily practice, and cooperative learning group activities to enable them to better understand complex math concepts. They increase their critical thinking and mental skills and become competent in solving word problems. The kindergartners master addition and subtraction facts.

Science and social studies continue as a hands-on activity based program. Units include 'Our World,' 'Holidays,' 'Living Things,' 'Weather,' 'Earth,' 'Parts of a Plant,' 'Staying Healthy,' 'Pets,' and 'Dinosaurs,' among many additional topics.

Kindergartners have a main academic teacher, supplemented by enrichment teachers in the areas of art, music, drama, Spanish, physical education, computer, and swimming. They have Language Arts supplemental classes as well as "Centers" time where they can participate in group and individual activities to complement and enrich their academic classes. The kindergartners also enjoy Tea Party (play time and snack) in Jelly Fudge Park every day.