Preschool

What is Standards Based Instruction? Standards are a set of learning goals for students.  Teachers uses these standards to create learning experiences and activities for students.  Upon completion of those experiences, teachers assess the learning.  This assessment may take place by teacher observation, discussion between the teacher and the child, or examining their work.   

Below are the New Jersey Preschool Standards 

Social/Emotional Standards: 

• Children demonstrate self-confidence.

• Children demonstrate self-direction.

• Children identify and express feelings. 

• Children exhibit positive interactions with other children and adults. 

• Children exhibit pro-social behaviors.

Visual and Performing Arts: 

• Children express themselves through and develop an appreciation of creative movement and dance. 

• Children express themselves through and develop an appreciation of music. 

• Children express themselves through and develop an appreciation of dramatic play and storytelling. 

• Children express themselves through and develop an appreciation of the visual arts (e.g., painting, sculpting, and drawing).

HEALTH, SAFETY, AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

• Children develop self-help and personal hygiene skills. 

• Children begin to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to make nutritious food choices. 

• Children begin to develop an awareness of potential hazards in their environment. 

• Children develop competence and confidence in activities that require gross- and fine-motor skills.

Early Literacy (Topics) 

• Key Ideas and Details  

• Craft and Structure  

• Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

•   Range and Level of Complexity

• Print Concepts  

• Phonological Awareness  

• Phonics and Word Recognition  

• Fluency 

• Text Type and Purposes  

• Production and Distribution of Writing 

• Research to Build Knowledge  

• Range of Writing

• Comprehension and Collaboration 

• Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas 

• Conventions of Standard English 

• Knowledge of Language  

• Vocabulary Acquisition and Use 

Mathematics

• Children begin to demonstrate an understanding of number and counting. 

• Children demonstrate an initial understanding of numerical operations. 

• Children begin to conceptualize measurable attributes of objects and how to measure them. 

• Children develop spatial and geometric sense.

Science 

• Children develop inquiry skills. 

• Children observe and investigate matter and energy. 

• Children observe and investigate living things. 

• Children observe and investigate the Earth. 

• Children gain experience in using technology.

Social Studies, Family and Life Skills

• Children identify unique characteristics of themselves, their families, and others. 

• Children become contributing members of the classroom community. 

• Children demonstrate knowledge of neighborhood and community. 

• Children demonstrate awareness of the cultures within their classroom and community.

Approaches to Learning 

• Children demonstrate initiative, engagement, and persistence. 

• Children show creativity and imagination. 

• Children identify and solve problems. 

• Children apply what they have learned to new situations.

Technology: 

• Navigate simple on screen menus. 

• Use electronic devices independently. 

•  Begin to use electronic devices to communicate. 

• Use common technology vocabulary. 

• Begin to use electronic devices to gain information.

Building choice into the curriculum is important for several reasons. 

Choice allows preschool children to:

• practice decision making skills. 

• make decisions about their learning 

• follow their interests

• explore new areas of learning

• foster a love of learning 

Choice activities are divided into interest areas around the classroom including: art, building and blocks, early literacy/library, science, puzzles and a many more. 

Social Emotional Learning is weaved through a preschool student's every day experiences.  Through choice activities, playing with friends on the playground or sitting in circle time, children are able to practice a variety of social emotional skills.  In our curriculum, teachers also take time out to focus on these skills with specific lessons throughout the year.  

Below are the 5 competencies we focus on.  

SELF-AWARENESS: The abilities to understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts. 

SELF-MANAGEMENT: The abilities to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations.

SOCIAL AWARENESS: The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, & contexts. 

RELATIONSHIP SKILLS: The abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups.

RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING: The abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations.