Teddy Bear Junction provides
child-centered classrooms designed to balance child-directed and
teacher-directed activities. This provides an atmosphere of play which
develops multiple skills and abilities for each child.
FIVE DAY PRE-K CLASS DESCRIPTION
The
Pre-K class for older children has been designed to present challenge
and interaction for each child. Attending school each day means a
consistent experience with group structure. The two teachers in
this classroom interact with a maximum of 18 children. This class
provides the opportunity to develop and nurture teacher-child and
child-child relationships. Materials and activities continue to be
theme-based to provide continuity throughout the TBJ program.
Because they are in class every day, our teachers are able to expand the
curriculum covered by the units to a greater degree.
Language arts
study in this class reviews concepts and letter/sound recognition, while
continuing to encourage creative writing. Number recognition and
set matching develop pre-math skills. Ample free art opportunities
allow the child to develop stroke mastery and small muscle control
necessary in building prewriting skills. Continuation of our "Star
of the Week" program builds self esteem.
Interest centers are sill the
main focus of this classroom. Two days a week, a computer with
Early Childhood Education Software is available to the children.
The science center is more elaborate and allows for more hands-on
experience. Art and music continue to be primarily participatory,
but with the addition of an appreciation approach, as well. The
Pre-K class sees the music and Spanish teachers twice each week.
Construction projects or the sand or water tables sometimes take the
place of the block center, bringing another dimension to cooperative
play. Cooking in the home living center provides experiences in
language arts, mathematics, and science, as each phase of the procedure
is studied. As the children mature and their perceptions expand,
they develop the ability to understand and relate to other cultures and
lifestyles. Developing the ability to compare and contrast leads
to emerging critical thinking skills. The Pre-K class enhances
skills and abilities nurtured by teachers in younger classrooms.
The
Pre-K class participates in a monthly Children's Chapel with one of the
Pastors of the Reformed Church. This 10-15 minute service
includes song, prayer and a brief illustration about the Good News of
Faith. Parents are always invited to observe Chapel.
Our
curriculum is also enhanced by a variety of enrichment resources; Plano
fire fighters with their truck and equipment, a visit from the dentist
and dramatic presentations by a number of local artists.
Children may
enter this class as five-year olds or they must turn five by December
31st of the school year that they enter the Pre-K class. For this
class only, registration fees are refundable by July 1 if the parent
decides to send the child to kindergarten.
Children from the
waiting list will be contacted on a space available basis with older
children being called first. Consideration will also be given to
balancing the boy:girl ratio.
