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Each class period includes free play, circle time, project time, cleanup, large muscle movement, snack and outdoor play. A number of themes are covered during the Playschool year, and the whole program is integrated into the topic at hand.
The following is a sample of activities from our dinosaur unit, which lasts from one to two weeks:
Dinosaurs
Prepared by St. Mary's Creative Playschool Staff
Environment Posters, wall displays, and pictures feature prehistoric creatures; toys in the cornmeal "sand" box are replaced with turkey bones and Popsicle sticks for bone digs; dinosaurs, rocks, dinosaur play-dough toys and molds, and puzzles are out for free play; the water table hosts slime and a volcano; dinosaur books and games are used.
Activities: Make fossils; paint dinosaurs; make dinosaur eggs; find sticks and bones in cornmeal and glue on paper to make a skeleton; paint volcanoes; trace children's feet into a dinosaur footprint; do a skit showing finding bones.
Music and movement Learn dinosaur songs; dance to the songs; have a dinosaur parade; move like various dinosaurs.
Literature: Books are used to look at individual dinosaurs; a dinosaur story each day; and try to find pictures of favorite dinosaurs in books.
Concepts: Dinosaurs are extinct plant eaters and meat eaters: name and identity of various dinosaurs: earth was changing when dinosaurs lived; sizes of dinosaurs, paleontology.
Resource people: Parents with background or experiences to share.
Our Practices on Religious and Cultural Education
Specific sectarian doctrine is not part of the curriculum. The playschool honors certain Christian and other religious holidays by imparting to children the essential or central meaning of the holiday. Stories, songs, dances, special foods, and crafts may be used to explore the celebration of a particular holiday. A representative of a religious group or cultural group celebrating a holiday might be a special activity resource person. The meaning of the holiday being celebrated is imparted in age-appropriate language and activities. The student population is considered in determining which cultural and religious experiences we will explore.