Language and literacy development are pivotal aspects of Birches Pre-K's curriculum. Through verbal communication with educators, peers, and caregivers, young learners are encouraged to articulate their thoughts and curiosities about the environment. The nurturing environment at Birches Pre-K offers extensive opportunities for children to engage in dialogue through play, structured activities, and communal meal times indoors and out.

The program emphasizes fostering a positive relationship with reading and writing by providing access to diverse books and writing activities. Literacy instruction is seamlessly integrated into nature play, art, and science experiments. Storytime is a daily feature, complemented by sessions with local librarians and middle school reading buddies, expanding the students' exposure to literature.

Literacy instruction is tailored to suit the developmental stage of the pre-K students. Emphasis is placed on instilling a love for books, phonemic awareness, and purposeful writing. Literacy work is built into daily routines such as morning meetings, and during structured sessions, focused instruction on phonics and writing is provided. The curriculum draws on methodologies including Sounds Write and Handwriting Without Tears. 

Among the benchmark skills students are working towards in Pre-K literacy:

• Recognize and identify letters and some CVC words 

• Understand basic phonics and letter sounds

• Retell familiar stories and recognize story elements

• Engage in conversation and express ideas with clarity 

• Recognize and write own name

The Pre-K program draws inspiration from the natural world, integrating mathematics into engaging activities. Children gather, count, and categorize objects found on campus, encouraging collaborative learning and fostering beautiful moments of discovery. The primary aim of the Pre-K math curriculum is for students to establish a meaningful connection with numbers, nurturing a profound appreciation for mathematics.

Games play a pivotal role in achieving these objectives. We engage in outdoor activities such as "What Time is it, Mr. Fox?" and "Splat!" During indoor sessions, we estimate, count, observe dates and numbers on our calendar, roll dice, create patterns, and manipulate concrete representations of numbers using tens blocks.

Among the benchmark skills students are working towards in Pre-K math:

• Mastery in counting up to 20 and beyond

• Recognition and identification of numbers 

• Understanding basic shapes and patterns

• Initial grasp of simple addition and subtraction concepts

• Sorting and categorizing objects based on various attributes

Thematic studies allow students to dive deeply into a topic over time, make meaningful connections,  and become experts. A thematic study approaches a subject from various perspectives and disciplines, providing children with numerous entry points based on their interests and skills. Pre-K thematic units are inspired by seasons in nature and our students' engagement with the natural world. This approach enables a comprehensive and immersive exploration of various subjects, contributing to a well-rounded academic experience for the children.

Sample units from recent years include Seeds, Snow, Woodland Creatures, and Structures. During a recent Structures unit, children explored fundamental concepts such as building, stacking, and supportive bases, which paralleled our fascination with the busy activity of animal nest-building and the marvelous transformation of plants from seed to blossom in the spring.

Among the benchmark skills students are working towards in Pre-K thematic studies:

• Delve deep into thematic units to develop curiosity and gain a rich understanding of a topic

• Practice recalling and sharing facts learned 

• Develop respect and appreciation for the natural world

Our program is designed to immerse children in nature through daily outdoor activities such as nature walks, art, and journaling. We integrate science into every aspect of the children's day, whether they are exploring insects and other wildlife in our outdoor classroom, engaging in sensory play at the mud kitchen, or discovering nature and science through our window displays and collections on our shelves. Children have countless opportunities to wonder, marvel, and explore cause and effect as they play and engage inside and outside. 

Among the benchmark skills students are working towards in Pre-K science:

• Observe and demonstrate curiosity about the natural world, including plants, animals, and the environment

• Understand basic scientific concepts through hands-on exploration and     experimentation 

• Recognize the needs of living things and understand the concepts of growth and change in plants and animals 

Art lessons in Pre-K alternate between process art (play and discovery using art materials) and directed projects (instruction with an intended outcome). Every year, students will start with a self-portrait as a developmental marker. Lessons are planned to nurture process experimentation and expose students to various art materials through the foundational Elements of Art (line, shape, color, texture, value, and form). Through hands-on activities, children express themselves artistically, fostering an appreciation for art, self-expression, and differences. Students see examples from diverse artists and genres covering portraits, landscapes, still life, and 3-dimensions. Materials include but are not limited to pencil, marker, watercolor, tempera, pastel, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and natural materials. Projects wrap around and /or complement the thematic studies from the Pre-K classroom when possible.

Among the benchmark skills students are working towards in Pre-K art:

• Develop age-appropriate studio habits

• Build fine motor skills 

• Practice using various art materials 

The central goal for Pre-K music is to encourage singing, moving, and participating in shared musical activities. Music is for everyone, and it is through participation that a person learns to be musical. The music program aims to cultivate an inclusive feeling of community. Students are taught how to read standard music notation, play instruments, improvise, and compose at an age-appropriate level.

Among the benchmark skills students are working towards in Pre-K music:

• Sing age-appropriate pitches in tune

• Move to a steady beat

• Clap basic rhythms

• Play instruments with others

• Understand musical concepts such as loud/soft, fast/slow, high/low 

• Present and perform music in a relaxed concert-type setting  

Pre-K wellness classes include movement games, mindfulness practice, introduction to basic yoga poses, and exploring how emotions can be associated with various physical sensations. Students practice locomotor and manipulative skills and reinforce movement concepts incorporating spatial awareness. Mindfulness is practiced in various ways, including paying attention to our body posture and sensation, practicing using awareness of breath as a tool to connect mind and body, and mindful observation of nature. Students cultivate balance, strength, flexibility, focus, confidence, and a growth mindset through yoga. Songs, books, and stories are used to introduce language for naming emotions and yoga poses.

Among the benchmark skills students are working towards in Pre-K wellness:

• Open to trying new ways of moving

• Observe and replicate basic yoga poses 

• Practice mindful breathing for 3-6 breaths 

• Identify 4-8 different feelings

A significant focus of the Pre-K year is on self-regulation and other social-emotional skills such as listening, cooperation, and risk-taking. Our comprehensive social-emotional program fosters these skills, with teachers regularly modeling and supporting the children. Throughout the school day, children have natural opportunities for self-expression and experimentation, and our campus provides numerous settings for children to practice essential skills such as taking turns, negotiating, and sharing during cooperative play. Children consistently develop their self-help skills as they go about their daily activities. As children develop a strong sense of self, they can practice and take risks at their level. During dramatic play, children create imaginative stories or games, determining rules and roles and expressing their preferences for characters they want to portray. 

Teachers support children's play by observing, listening for signs of needed support, and providing guidance and instructions. We employ Betsy Evans’ conflict resolution techniques to encourage students to work with teachers and peers to identify and resolve problems. Once the problem has been identified, students engage in discussions to find a solution and express how the situation made them feel. Additionally, students are encouraged to ask each other what they can do to make each other feel better. 

At Birches School, we are committed to helping children learn and grow in a community of equity and inclusion where diversity of thought, practice, and identity is celebrated. In support of this goal, we seek to create a community where our students experience a sense of belonging and bring their whole selves to their learning. We value the richness that comes alive in our classrooms when many differing perspectives are represented.  

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental aspects of the Pre-Kindergarten program at Birches. We start by studying identity, exploring our preferences and relationships with the people in our daily lives. Our curriculum then extends to encompass broader concepts of self, our place in the world, and the diversity of the world's people. Given that young children are naturally curious and constantly questioning themselves, others, and the world, we offer diverse learning opportunities to help them explore their thoughts. This includes perusing our library stocked with books featuring diverse characters, sharing family traditions with new friends, creating self-portraits, and learning about the changemakers we highlight in our classroom. We are committed to encouraging and supporting the children as they explore their numerous ideas and questions, helping them to develop a strong sense of self and nurturing empathy and understanding for those around them. Our goal is to instill foundational values of respect, empathy, and fairness in preschoolers, laying the groundwork for them to become compassionate and socially aware individuals.