Activity Time/Child's Choice - (60 Minutes)
Families begin to arrive. The children will be greeted at the door by the teacher taking attendance, put belongings in their lockers, then go to the bathrooms to use the toilet and wash their hands. During this time children will choose the area in which they would like to work, whom they want to work with and what materials they would like to use. Most interest areas will be available to the children: blocks, art, water, library, games, etc. When children are finished in one area they are free to move to another area. Teachers observe, ask open-ended questions and make suggestions that extend children’s play and support their learning. Choice time typically lasts for an hour, exclusive of “clean-up”.
Clean Up Time/Circle Time
(Group Meeting #1) - (20 Minutes)
Children will help to put away materials in each interest area, then gather on the “Circle Rug”. Here they will sing a welcome/clean-up song, discuss attendance and job charts, as well as, share news relating to time spent outside of school. Children are divided into 2 groups for “Snack” and “Small Group” times.
Snack - (20 Minutes)
Children will be dismissed to the bathrooms to prepare for snack: Use toilets, wash hands, etc. Children will exit bathrooms, get a napkin and seat themselves preparing for snack. Teachers will serve, then join the children modeling behavior and conversation skills.
Small Group Time - (15 Minutes)
Children will remain at the “Circle Rug” and be engaged in group activities designed to reinforce specific skills or areas of interest: music, gross motor, literacy, listening and communicating, etc.
Library - (30 Minutes)
Children will be encouraged to view literacy as a source of enjoyment. They will choose books, look through them independently, develop skills in understanding print concepts, retelling stories and handling texts.
Outdoor Time - (25 minutes)
The children will go outside each day. During this time children will choose the area in which they would like to play, whom they want to work with and what materials they would like to use. Opportunities include sand, bicycles, truck play, blocks, assorted large muscle/coordination based activities: hop-scotch, relay races, catch, etc. When children are finished in one area they are free to move to another area. Teachers observe, ask open-ended questions and make suggestions that extend play children’s play and skill development.
Circle Time
(Group Meeting #2) - (15 Minutes)
Children will put their belongings in their lockers, then gather on the “Circle Rug”. They will be introduced to/engaged in a discussion related to the days topic, discuss plans for that day, and be introduced to any new materials added to interest areas.
Activity Time - (60 - 75 Minutes)
Children will gradually be dismissed to the tables for activities. Teachers will guide children in selecting where they want to start and what they want to do. Choices will include “teacher directed” (ex. Journaling) and “teacher monitored” (ex. Play Dough) activities. Activities available reflect the days topic, encourage target skills and are tailored to the specific needs/interests of the children. Teachers will observe and interact with individual children to extend play and scaffold learning. Activity time typically lasts for an hour, exclusive of “clean-up”.
Clean Up Time
Children will help to put away materials in each interest area, then gather on the “Circle Rug”.
Story Time - (20 Minutes)
During this time the children will be read a story or discuss a book related to the days topic. This time may also include songs, finger plays or a brief movement activity.
Announcements/Good-bye Song (Dismissal)
Pre-School day ends. Children are dismissed to their caregivers to go home.