FOURS
9-12 or 9-3 (Approximately)
New families visit with their children in the spring. On visiting day children join our current Fours to play in the classroom or outside so they can become familiar with their new school.
Orientation Process
In the fall, children return for Orientation Day, when they play with a small group of classmates for a shorter period time so they can meet their teachers and some friends. Later in the week school starts, with all our daily routines in place.
A Typical Day
Arrival
Teachers welcome the children to school, help them put away their things, and check backpacks for notes. Children “sign in”, greet their friends, and settle in with activities like building, drawing, sand/water play, or fun with manipulatives.
Meeting
We sing our hello song, count the friends, find out who has a job, sing fun finger plays and talk about what we can expect at school that day. Teachers use role play to model how we talk and play with each other. We frequently play group games from our Elmwood repertoire that build connections among the children and with the teachers. Before we go off to play children are encouraged to think about what they would like to do as well as to try something new.
Choice Time
Children use all areas of our classroom (blocks, dramatic play, easel, writing center, library, and math/science discovery areas). Materials are rotated throughout the year to keep things fresh and connected to our curriculum. During choice time teachers also offer small group activities such as playing cards, board games, cooking, or artistic projects connected to our thematic unit.
Small Group Time
Throughout the week children participate in small groups activities
- Handwriting Without Tears
- Building Blocks Math
- Writing and illustrating class books
Cleanup
Bathroom, Hand Washing, Snack
Outside Play/Big Room Time
We go to SandWorld, Soccer, Sky Park, Basketball, Elmville, Bikes, Gaga, CLIMB, and the Mud Kitchen. We have free play time as well as opportunities to play active Elmwood games. If the weather keeps us inside we go to the Big Room for active games, obstacle courses, ball activities, building, or to act out stories and nursery rhymes.
Read Aloud
We enjoy listening to a good book and read many genres throughout the year. Favorite stories often lead to ideas for our own class books.
Noon Dismissal
We remember fun things from the day, find out who takes home Clifford, Corduroy, or Llama and sing our goodbye song. Children either have lunch and continue with their extended day class or dismiss from the main hallway at 12. Parents drive around the loop to the front of school and teachers escort children to cars.
Lunch
Parents pack lunch daily. Lunch teachers foster social conversation and of course encourage eating.
Afternoon Activities
The longer day allows for a myriad of fun, creative, and enriching activities. Children can go deeper with thematic projects and activities of interest, participate in more teacher-led small group experiences, and have additional choice time and playground time.
Specials
We enjoy Music, Drama, Art, Sports, and Science specials.
More Programs
TWOS
THREES
FIVES / KINDERGARTEN / FIRST GRADE
