OUR PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM
The preschool curriculum includes a variety of activities to stimulate and promote curiosity, learning and social development. Teachers present a well-developed curriculum using the Preschool Learning Foundations, Preschool GLAD, and Connect4Learning to help in the areas of: social and emotional development, English-language development, early literacy skills, early writing skills, print awareness, children’s literature, and early math and science skills presented in a nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment.
Our program allows for optimum growth and development in the language arts areas of phonemic awareness, letter recognition, and vocabulary development. In the area of math, children are given opportunities to develop beginning mathematical skills through activities in sorting and classifying, patterning, shapes, number concepts, and problem solving. These math concepts are presented in an age-appropriate, hands-on manner that supports the development of the kindergarten standards. Along with the basic skills in language arts and math, children participate in music, drama, art and physical education activities that not only support and enhance the development of academic skills, but help with the development of social skills as well as large and small muscle development. A highly individualized approach is used to meet the particular need of each child as they move towards a successful transition to kindergarten.
As collaborative partners in your child’s education we expect and desire parents to be actively involved. The success of your child’s preschool experience depends on a cooperative and collaborative parent, student, and school relationship. The home-school partnership will help to make your child’s first years of school a meaningful and memorable learning experience.
Raising Butterflies
By Dr. Cheryl Sosa,
Early Childhood Education Coordinator
Every spring our OUSD Early Learners in our preschool classrooms have the opportunity to raise their own butterflies. The children enjoy learning about the four life stages while seeing the metamorphosis of the butterfly. The students get to observe the caterpillar emerging from the egg, the caterpillar eating (a lot!), the caterpillar moving to the chrysalis stage and then watching and waiting for what will emerge. The excitement is real when a surprise emerges from the chrysalis in the form of a butterfly! Students release the butterfly into the air as a team as they wish it well on its way. These types of hands-on experiences connect classroom learning with real life experiences. By providing our students with these experiences, we are teaching them to be curious and develop a love of learning.