Monthly Thematic Lessons
January: Weather and Space/Dr. King February: Healthy Body/Heart/Valentine's Day March: Sense the Animals/Spring/St. Patrick's Day* April: Dinosaurs/Earth Science* May/June: People and the Neighborhood/Safety June/August: Summer Schedule September: Back to Basics October: Fall/Halloween/Seasonal Changes November: American History/Pilgrims & Indians/ Thanksgiving December: Christmas Around the World *March and April may be interchanged to coincide with the Easter holiday so that animals are studied about the same time the bunny visits the center |
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Overview of Thematic Objectives
Weather:
Children will have a basic understanding of clouds, wind, rain, snow, thunder & lightning, and why we have seasons.
Space:
Children explore space each day as they board the space shuttle and venture to a new dimension in space. The stars, Sun, moon, planets, and space travel will be discussed at a level that is appropriate for the pre-school group.
Health & Body:
Children will be guided through the human body with various activities. Children will be able to recognize and identify body parts and functions. The circulatory system, respiratory & digestive systems. Exercise and proper nutrition will be a focus as they learn how the heart, bones, and muscles function and are kept healthy.
Animals:
While experiencing the five senses children will focus on various animals. Farm, wild, domestic, and insect life will be included. Recognition, care, eating habits and life of the animal will be discussed and explained.
Dinosaurs:
Children will be able to identify a variety of dinosaurs and be able to group into meat eating or plant eating species. Volcanoes, earth quakes, rocks and soil will be investigated as the children explore the Earth with the Dinosaurs.
People and Safety in the Neighborhood:
Children will be discuss the structure of the family and the diversity in others. Occupation and places of employment that children come in contact with, in their lives, will be recognized as the children build a neighborhood of streets, homes and businesses. Basic safety rules and signs that guide us will be created and added as the children proceed to create their neighborhood.
Back to Basics:
A review of basics will cover letters, shapes, colors and numbers.
Seasons:
Children will review the "why" of a season change and a concentration will be placed on becoming aware and observing the seasonal changes. Children will be guided to look for signs of fall and encouraged to find various items and add them to the science center, such as acorns, leaves, and pine cones. Halloween decorations will be made and the study will culminate in a seasonal celebration.
American History:
Christopher Columbus and the new world is the starting point in the historical study of America. Our flag and it's meaning will be introduced along with the American Celebrations. Our first Thanksgiving with the application of Indians and Pilgrims is followed by a feast day in which the children combine their foods (made at home) and can choose to eat as either an Indian or Pilgrim in a costume designated by the student.
Christmas:
Children celebrate the season in a different country each day in the month of December. Different traditions and customs are duplicated in mini celebrations so that children may experience a diversity of holiday expression.