Pre-School

  At 2nd Nature Academy we value cooperation, interaction, and willingness to accept challenges.  We focus on individual strengths and value the uniqueness of each learner.  While there are many curricular goals we set out to achieve, the process we use to accomplish these objectives varies from child to child.  Therefore, assessment is used as a useful tool to aid the learner rather than as a mechanism used to measure correct responses or the ability to perform certain tasks.  Unfortunately, in most circumstances, success in school depends on the coverage of curriculum and little to do with true understanding.  By providing diversified materials and numerous opportunities for observation, exploration, and inquiry, nearly all children will become true learners and problem solvers.
  Following is a basic outline of our philosophy and curriculum goals.  Our approach in presenting material is thematic and interdisciplinary.  Concepts are woven together, throughout the various content areas. There will be limited use of worksheets and “cookie cutter” art projects.  Instead, learning will take place through experiential education and discernible learning situations.

Preschool Curriculum is:

• hands-on and developmentally appropriate, holistic, thematic, multicultural, experiential, play- based, individualized, integrated
  

Curriculum Goals:

• Math
  

shapes, patterns, counting, sequencing, number recognition, sorting, classifying, spatial relationships, symbolic representation, data collection and representation, one-to-one correspondence, estimation, greater than/less than, days of the week/months of the year, measurement

• Language Arts
  

literature/stories, listening skills, predicting outcomes, following directions, rhyming patterns, nursery rhymes, expressing feelings and thoughts, letter recognition, beginning manuscript skills, phonemic awareness skills

• Science
  

weather, seasons, water, air, animal habitats and behaviors, plants/gardening, insects, oceans, body parts, five senses, health and nutrition, magnets, natural environment, biomes, ecosystems, habitats, inquiry, exploration, and reflection

• Social Studies
  

friends and families, all about me, neighborhoods, communities, community helpers/people at work, relationships, cultures, customs, and celebrations

• Music & Movement
  

rhythm/beat, rhythm instruments, simple melodies, gross motor skills, moving to music, music appreciation, listening activities

• Creative Arts
  

exploring different media, colors, texture, self-expression, art appreciation, style and techniques

• Life Skills
  

responsibility , interpreting and following rules, making choices, bathroom management, self- help skills, manners and courtesy, respect for materials, respect for the environment, respect for other people, accepting differences, table manners and portion control, planting and gardening