4-Year-Old Class (VPK) | Pre-K at St. Cecelia School

The Pre-K classes at St. Cecelia School integrate the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Curriculum, the Diocesan Standards and Benchmarks and the Common Core State Standards to provide students with many rich learning experiences throughout the school year.

While we prepare children academically and socially, we also engage them spiritually to know, remember, and apply the word of God to their lives. Each day includes a time to share together in a special circle time while listening to and learning lessons from the Bible. The children learn what God’s word says and how to use the truths they discover to be more like Jesus. The curriculum is enhanced through the Gospel Weeklies provided through Pflaum. The classes at St. Cecelia School collaborate for special weekly chapel lessons in preparation for all school Mass attendance.

Reading, writing, listening, letter recognition, and oral language are the core of the language arts curriculum. Art projects, tactile materials and small motor manipulatives (hands-on activities) are available daily to develop and strengthen the fine motor skills necessary for writing. In addition, writing materials are available for the children’s use throughout the classroom. Students write and illustrate class books that become a cherished reading choice. Reading opportunities are available in the various centers, and through class made charts and labels located throughout the room. Children also visit the library for a story time with the librarian on a weekly basis. Students sing songs and read poems to further enhance the children’s exposure to language.

All aspects of the curriculum at St. Cecelia School are related to the full development of a child, and as such, are cohesively intertwined through age-appropriate thematic explorations throughout the day. Themes explored include Gifts from God, Harvest Feast, Winter Changes, Apple and Pumpkin Science, Planting, Springtime (New Life), Ocean Life, Properties of Water, the Grocery Store, and the Post Office.

The math curriculum is designed to give children exposure to the basic math elements of size, number, grouping, patterns, sorting, length, weight, classification, and shape recognition. This is accomplished by providing hands-on experiences with real materials. These materials include various types of building blocks, scales, and measuring tools. Whole group activities such as measuring and charting help to further expose children to math concepts.

The science curriculum is designed to allow for observation and exploration of materials both in the classroom and in the outdoor environment. Children are encouraged to ask questions, explore various materials, make predictions, and become more aware of the world around them. Through hands-on activities, children are exposed to the properties of solids, liquids, and semi-liquids. Students observe changes in the environment and changes in the seasons. Magnifying glasses, magnets, books, and water/sensory exploration tables are some of the instruments available for use in the classrooms.

As children grow the questions of “Who am I?” and “How do I fit into the world?” begin to arise. Through the exploration of occupations, cultures, likes and differences the social studies curriculum aides in answering these questions. Throughout the day, children are also learning the social skills necessary to function in society, and make sense of their world. The social studies curriculum is also implemented with age appropriate bullying prevention and conflict resolution experiences.

Students participate in a weekly Spanish class where they explore basic vocabulary terms including numbers, colors, days of the week, and prayers.

Art activities are a daily part of the classroom. Through art, children are provided an avenue for self-expression while developing the fine motor skills necessary for writing. At the same time, children are exposed to math and science concepts. Each day, children have an opportunity to draw, paint and/or glue in the classrooms. The students visit with the art teacher once per week.

Large motor development is the focus of the physical education curriculum. Children have the opportunity to run, climb, balance, and jump daily during outdoor play and gym time to allow for maximum large muscle development. Non-competitive, cooperative group games are also played both outside and in the gym. Children at St. Cecelia School participate in Physical Education twice per week with the school’s P.E. teacher.

Music and movement are woven into the daily class activities through songs, dance, rhythm instruments, and choral recitation. The class visits the music room for activities with the music teacher once per week.

St. Cecelia School helps children gain an understanding of themselves in relationship to others in their environment through buddies, classroom guests, celebrations, and charitable causes to which donations are made. Students participate in monthly class visits from the school counselor and safety director.

St. Cecelia School provides a safe and nurturing environment where children are respected and accepted for who they are; God’s children. The physical space of the classroom, as well as, a schedule incorporating flexible time block, give children the opportunity to:

• Engage in positive and appropriate peer interactions
• Gain an understanding of another person’s point of view
• Recognize and celebrate the differences and similarities among people
• Grow and develop at individual rates
• Transfer trust from adults in the home to those in a school setting