A Day in the PreK Classroom

Child in Dramatic Play
  • The PreK Classroom is a busy place. Each First Class PreK classroom is divided into learning centers to promote exploration and playful learning throughout the school day. Each classroom has a minimum of 10 learning areas. While it may look like all that is going on is play, remember play is the work of childhood. 

    Safe Place - It looks like I am playing, but I am developing self regulation skills, emotional skills, and language skills. I am learning that it is ok to feel big emotions, and how to handle them in safe and acceptable ways. I am building connections with my teachers and classmates. I will use these skills through out my life as I negotiate friendships, relationships, and team sports. 

     

    Dramatic Play– It looks like I’m playing, but I’m developing social skills, emotional skills, independence, oral language, my imagination, responsibility, and the executive function. I may use these skills as a mother, father, safety officer, or politician one day.

     

    Blocks - It looks like I’m playing, but I’m developing motor skills, math concepts (number, size, shape, space), oral language, social skills. eye-hand coordination, self control, and my imagination. I may be a builder or architect when I’m grown.

     

    Art – It looks like I’m playing, but I’m developing my creativity, small motor skills, problem solving, sharing, cooperation, independence and responsibility. I may use these skills as an artist, illustrator, or designer one day.

     

    Math - It looks like I’m playing, but I’m developing oral language, social skills, small motor skills, concepts about quantity, shape, size, pattern, and an interest in math. I may use these tools as a computer programmer, accountant, or mathematician in the future.

     

    Math and Manipulatives - It looks like I’m playing, but I’m developing small muscles, eye-hand coordination, attention span, social skills, and concepts about size, shape, color pattern. I might use these skills as a chef or dentist or an engineer one day.

     

    Library - It looks like I’m playing, but I’m developing alphabet knowledge, oral language, print knowledge, listening skills, eye-hand coordination, concepts about the world, and the desire to read. Maybe I’ll be a publisher, author, or librarian when I grow up.
     

    Science - It looks like I’m playing, but I’m developing a curiosity about the world, sensory skills, problem solving, language skills, and experience with the scientific process (observing, predicting, experimenting, recording, reporting). If I’m a doctor, lab technician, pharmacist, or landscaper I will utilize these skills.


    Writing - It looks like I’m playing, but I’m developing eye-hand coordination, small motor skills, alphabet knowledge, self confidence, vocabulary, and an interest in print. I’m developing oral language, print connections, phonological awareness, visual skills, book knowledge, phonics; and motivation to read. No matter what I become when I grow up, it will be important to know how to read. I might use these skills one day as a journalist, administrative assistant, or poet.

     

    Sensory Table - It looks like I’m playing, but I’m developing a curiosity about the world, sensory skills, problem solving, language skills, and experience with the scientific process (observing, predicting, experimenting, recording, reporting). If I’m a doctor, lab technician, pharmacist, or landscaper I will utilize these skills.

    (original text from Dr. Jean's Webiste, modified for MCS PreK)

  • Typical Daily Schedule

    7:15 – 7:45 Arrival and Breakfast
    7:50 – 8:05 Check in and Morning Activities
    8:05 – 8:20 Morning Meeting and Read Aloud
    8:20 – 8:30 Music and Movement
    8:30 – 9:40 Work Time in Learning Centers
    9:40 – 9:55 Clean Up and Wash Hands
    10:00 – 10:30 Recess
    10:30 – 10:40 Water, Bathroom and Wash Hands
    10:40 – 10:50 Read Aloud
    10:50 – 11:05 Small Groups
    11:05 – 11:15 Clean Up and Wash Hands
    11:15 – 11:45 Lunch
    11:45 – 12:15 Recess
    12:15 – 12:30 Bathroom and Cool Down
    12:45 – 1:45 Nap
    1:45 – 2:05 Snack
    2:05 – 2:15 Closing Activity/Read Aloud
    2:15 After School Care Dismissed
    2:20 Car Riders Dismissed

    Art, Music, Spanish and STEM are offered weekly.

STEM work
Child Painting
Children Reading Books
Boy with Lego