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Curriculum
Curriculum
The Family Cooperative Preschool curriculum offers a range of developmentally appropriate choices that meet the needs and interests of each child. We take pride in fully integrating the school's remarkable surroundings. Traditional indoor activities are frequently relocated to the outdoors, enabling the children to play and learn in the fresh air for a significant amount of time on most days.
Our location, layout and staffing provide the children with great flexibility in choosing whether to play inside or out. Children are able to go back and forth between the play yard and the school's interior rooms throughout the day.
We are particularly sensitive to food and environmental allergies as well as other health concerns when designing curriculum activities and materials.
Schedule
Schedule
Arrival and Cubbies
Morning Meeting - highlight the day's activity opportunities, sing songs, introduce breath with movement, etc.
Indoor and Outdoor Choices for Play and Exploration... throughout the day
Snack Time at the "Co-op Cafe"... open throughout the day
Group Times - small groups of varying sizes, from the entire class to half or fewer, gather for a shared activity ( songs / exploration beyond the school yard / story walks / hikes / activities led by special guests / creative movement with music / puppet shows / book readings / etc. )
Lunch Time at the "Co-op Cafe"... open throughout the day
Cubbies and Departure
Activities
Activities
Children can choose from a variety of developmentally appropriate activities, some of which stay constant throughout the year and some which change weekly, monthly, or seasonally.
Our large fenced in play yard boasts a 4 car wooden train, children's garden, swings, climbing trees, sandbox, picnic tables, slide and climbing structure, "triangle" house, balance beams, tires, sound board, chute board, play tube/tunnel, and enough pails, shovels, digging equipment and trucks for a construction site. We provide bicycles for the children to ride around the school's circular driveway and sleds for the children to pull around the yard. Sledding down adjacent Half Mile Hill, when snow conditions allow, is a much-loved tradition.
The following materials/set-ups are available to explore at different times:
Big Blocks
Small Blocks
Math Manipulatives/Building Toys
Books
Puzzles and Games
Water
Playdough and Clay
Writing and Drawing Tools
Arts and Crafts Supplies and Tools
Easels, Water Color and Tempera Paints
Music and Sound-Making Toys
Toy Dolls and Dollhouses, Animals, Kitchen, Hospital, etc.
Science Table (with items such as plants, rocks, flowers, shells, feathers, leaves, etc.)
Both inside and outside, the children have a variety of media to experiment with and to exercise their fine motor skills. They exercise their gross motor skills by running, climbing, jumping, balancing, and riding bikes with exuberance. They use their imaginations and develop social skills in areas set up to encourage dramatic play. They have ample opportunities to interact with their peers and adults. They learn to cooperate, take turns, and have empathy for others.
The school's environment is designed to build a foundation for learning to read and write. Math/science-related concepts and vocabulary are integral parts of the indoor and outdoor experiences.
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