A Typical Day at MNS
Arrival:
Students enter the classroom and put away their belongings. They answer the question of the day and then work on a table activity until the bell rings. Table activities consist of fine motor or review activities that reinforce what students have already learned.
Morning Meeting:
Students engage in a class meeting where there is a group discussion about the days of the week, months of the year, counting, and what the day will consist of. We review our schedule for the day and discuss any specific tasks that will be completed during activity centers.
Activity Centers:
Activity centers are an important part of our classroom and usually involve small group activities. Students rotate through a variety of centers that incorporate all eight early learning foundations. Students participate in activities such as blocks, experimenting with creative arts, engaging in dramatic play, reading or listening to stories, age-appropriate writing and phonics activities, imaginary play, and sensory exploration.
Snacks:
Each day students take a break to enjoy a nutritional snack. Snacks are provided by MNS and consist of healthy choices. Every student is offered milk and the snack of the day.
Recess:
Students participate in daily recess. This looks different throughout the school year. We go outside whenever possible however when weather prevents that we are able to utilize the gym and other areas to hold recess indoors. MNS owns tricycles, scooters, balance bikes, balls, preschool size basketball hoops, and other large motor items that allow our students to get all their wiggles and energy out in an effective, fun manner.
Whole Group Phonics & Small Group Phonics:
At MNS we incorporate the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness curriculum, known to our students as “purple book” and “blue book”, into our daily phonics time. “Phonemic awareness is the understanding that spoken words are made up of individual sounds, which are called phonemes. A child who is phonemically aware is able to isolate sounds, manipulate sounds, blend and segment the sounds into spoken and written words.” Phonemic awareness is vital to a child’s academic growth to ensure they are ready for kindergarten. We also discuss our phonics letter, sound, and lesson of the day and then break into small groups to reinforce the lesson. Small group instruction is vital because it focuses precisely on what the students need to work on to move forward.
Music & Movement:
Students engage in music and movement throughout the day at MNS. Once a week students attend a structured music lesson outside of our classroom taught by a teacher with a music education background.
Lunch Time & Brain Break:
Students that attend full day classes eat lunch together in our classroom. Students bring their own lunches and sharing food is not allowed due to allergies. Lunch is a time for students to socialize but also work on their independence by practicing opening their own lunch items.
After lunch students spread out throughout the room and engage in a 25-30 minute brain break. During brain break the lights are off and students are asked to stay quiet while sitting or laying. They either listen to a story read aloud or watch an educational episode (often from PBS Kids).
Mathematics:
Students will engage in math activities daily. This includes but is not limited to counting, sorting, learning about shapes and colors, and working in small groups. All Kindergarten Readiness lessons utilize a pre-kindergarten math curriculum that we start in September and continue throughout the school year. Our math book ensures they are learning all necessary prerequisite skills for a successful transition into kindergarten.
Students enter the classroom and put away their belongings. They answer the question of the day and then work on a table activity until the bell rings. Table activities consist of fine motor or review activities that reinforce what students have already learned.
Morning Meeting:
Students engage in a class meeting where there is a group discussion about the days of the week, months of the year, counting, and what the day will consist of. We review our schedule for the day and discuss any specific tasks that will be completed during activity centers.
Activity Centers:
Activity centers are an important part of our classroom and usually involve small group activities. Students rotate through a variety of centers that incorporate all eight early learning foundations. Students participate in activities such as blocks, experimenting with creative arts, engaging in dramatic play, reading or listening to stories, age-appropriate writing and phonics activities, imaginary play, and sensory exploration.
Snacks:
Each day students take a break to enjoy a nutritional snack. Snacks are provided by MNS and consist of healthy choices. Every student is offered milk and the snack of the day.
Recess:
Students participate in daily recess. This looks different throughout the school year. We go outside whenever possible however when weather prevents that we are able to utilize the gym and other areas to hold recess indoors. MNS owns tricycles, scooters, balance bikes, balls, preschool size basketball hoops, and other large motor items that allow our students to get all their wiggles and energy out in an effective, fun manner.
Whole Group Phonics & Small Group Phonics:
At MNS we incorporate the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness curriculum, known to our students as “purple book” and “blue book”, into our daily phonics time. “Phonemic awareness is the understanding that spoken words are made up of individual sounds, which are called phonemes. A child who is phonemically aware is able to isolate sounds, manipulate sounds, blend and segment the sounds into spoken and written words.” Phonemic awareness is vital to a child’s academic growth to ensure they are ready for kindergarten. We also discuss our phonics letter, sound, and lesson of the day and then break into small groups to reinforce the lesson. Small group instruction is vital because it focuses precisely on what the students need to work on to move forward.
Music & Movement:
Students engage in music and movement throughout the day at MNS. Once a week students attend a structured music lesson outside of our classroom taught by a teacher with a music education background.
Lunch Time & Brain Break:
Students that attend full day classes eat lunch together in our classroom. Students bring their own lunches and sharing food is not allowed due to allergies. Lunch is a time for students to socialize but also work on their independence by practicing opening their own lunch items.
After lunch students spread out throughout the room and engage in a 25-30 minute brain break. During brain break the lights are off and students are asked to stay quiet while sitting or laying. They either listen to a story read aloud or watch an educational episode (often from PBS Kids).
Mathematics:
Students will engage in math activities daily. This includes but is not limited to counting, sorting, learning about shapes and colors, and working in small groups. All Kindergarten Readiness lessons utilize a pre-kindergarten math curriculum that we start in September and continue throughout the school year. Our math book ensures they are learning all necessary prerequisite skills for a successful transition into kindergarten.
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Aunt Zoophonia
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