Hope Academy

(K3/K4 Preschool Classroom Preview)

Preschool is an exciting step for your child (as well as your family). We are
delighted to share a glimpse of the program we have developed for our K3/K4
classroom. It is designed to be fun, while also providing the building blocks for their
academic future. This preview includes a scope-and-sequence of the years themes, a
look at our classroom routines, as well as some of the other pieces to a puzzle-perfect
year. We hope our purposeful play and enriching activities will help your child develop
an ever-increasing love of learning!

2014-2015 Themes
(Hope Academy K3/K4)
September
Off to School
All About Me
Apples Everywhere
Leaves, Trees, & Fall
Community Helpers

October
Things that Go
A Camping We Will Go
Pumpkin Patch
Happy Halloween

November
Fairytales
Dinosaur-a-rumpus
Harvest
Lets Give Thanks

December
Deck the Halls
Gingerbread Man
Holiday Traditions

January
Snowflakes & Icicles
In the Mail
Blast-off to Space
Around the World

February
Groundhogs Shadow
Be My Valentine
Sparkling Teeth
Giddy Up and Go

March
Hats Off to Dr. Seuss
Safari Fun
I am Healthy
Spring has Sprung
Changing Weather

April
Easter
Up and Away
Gardens Sprouting
Road Trip USA
Under the Sea

May
Pet-a-palooza
A Bugs Life
Summer Fun

Classroom Routine
(Hope Academy K3/K4)

OWL Binders- Our OWL (Organized Weekly Learning) Binders are designed to be
a communication bridge between home and school. The binder will have all of
the information you need for a smooth year including:
o Weekly Newsletters
o School and Classroom Calendars
o Scope & Sequence of Themes
o Field Trip Information
o Student Work (at the end of each week)

Hoot the Owl- Our classroom owl, Hoot, will go home with one student each
week throughout the year. Hoot has a journal, which follows his adventures
visiting all of our students. At the end of the week your child can work with you
to write a short entry in Hoots journal about their time together. Each Monday
we will have a chance to hear about Hoots adventure (and of course our
students).

Class Messenger- This is a communication platform created by Scholastic.

Messages can be sent to an email account(s),
phone via text, or even viewed in an app on a
phone or tablet. It allows us to send messages,
pictures, and documents back and forth. It also
allows parents/family members to sign-up for
volunteer opportunities (such as Field Trips).

Superheroes with Super CHARACTER- This program, which will be incorporated

throughout the year, helps each child strive to be helpful, caring, and
responsible members of our community.

Star Readers- DEAR Time (Drop Everything And Read) includes an opportunity for
family members to join us by reading aloud to the class. This could be a book
you select, or one provided in the classroom. When our children see adults
taking the time to read to them, they see the importance of reading.

Get Set for School- This Handwriting Without Tears program integrates writing into
a well-planned literacy program. It breaks print writing
into manageable and memorable steps, as well as
providing the building blocks for reading with an
emphasis on a print-rich environment. We will do a letter
of the week, but this program helps children see letters
in their context- words, sentences and reading.

Classroom Routine
(Hope Academy K3/K4)
Our classroom routine is a predictable part of our day. It reassures students and helps
the day flow smoothly. A visual/picture schedule is displayed and updated throughout
the morning. This helps each child track the activities throughout the day and
successfully transition from one activity to the next.

Time

Activity

Description

8:15-8:50

Free Centers

self-selected centers with pairs or small groups. The centers

will be updated weekly to keep the children interested and
will often incorporate the weekly theme. Centers include
Blocks, Dramatic Play, Books & Puzzles, Art, Sensory, and
Things That Go.

8:50-9:10

Rise & Shine

Circle Time

whole group instruction with calendar, weather, rhymes,

puppets, theme activities, as well as a morning message
(introducing literacy concepts).

9:10-9:30

Art

incorporating cutting, coloring, painting, and other fine

motor activities. This is a time of creativity that develops visual
discrimination, and other important abilities in a fun way.

9:30-10:00

Exercise
(Playground)

free play time, as well as whole group games and activities

like obstacle courses, which develop gross motor skills such as
skipping, jumping, and throwing.

10:00-10:20

Snack

10:20-10:40

DEAR
(Drop
Everything
And Read)

10:40-11:30

Enrichment
Centers:
-Math
-Literacy
-Handwriting

11:30-11:50

Music &
Movement

11:50-12:00

See-You-Later
Alligator
Circle Time

a parent-provided nutritious snack.

(Please keep in mind that our classroom is a PEANUT FREE ZONE)

as children are finishing their snacks we will begin a read

aloud book, which will be followed by reading in small groups,
and sometimes with a reading buddy (a student from an
elementary class), and even Star Readers (adults who
volunteer to read aloud to the class).
individualized instruction at each childs level. The centers
will change daily, often incorporating the weekly theme.
Math, Literacy, Early Phonics & Reading, as well as other skill
areas will be taught in a hands-on and active way. This will
incorporate the Handwriting Without Tears writing program.
a mix of singing, playing instruments, learning rhythm, as
well as improving agility and coordination.
as a class we will have a chance to share our successes for
the day and review what we have learned with songs and
other brief activities providing closure for the day.

Preparing for the Year

(Hope Academy K3/K4)
*Hope Academy follows the Greenville County Schools District Calendar*
The first day of school for preschool will be Tuesday, September 2nd.

Student Holidays 2014-2015

Labor Day ............................................ Sept. 1
Teacher Prof. Dev./Workdays .... Oct.16-17
Election Day .........................................Nov. 4
Thanksgiving Break...............................Nov. 26-28
Winter Break......................................... Dec. 22 - Jan. 2
Teacher Prof. Dev./Workday ............ Jan. 16
MLK Day .............................................. Jan. 19
Presidents Day ....................................Feb. 16
Spring Break..........................................March 30 - April 3
Memorial Day ..................................... May 25
Makeup Days (In Order of Use)
*Makeup Day 1.............................March 9
*Makeup Day 2 .............................. June 5
*Makeup Day 3...............................April 6
(*If day not needed, it becomes a student holiday.)

What to expect/do as we approach the beginning of school

- Submit your application and registration fee if you have not done so already
(this reserves your spot in our class).
- In early August, you can expect a Back-to-School Packet with additional
information and any paperwork to be completed prior to the start of school.
- We will contact you to set-up a formative assessment if we have not done so
already. This allows us to start the year with individualized goals for each child,
which in turn helps us develop the best lessons and activities for a successful
year.
- Back-to-School Night will be Thursday, August 28th at 6:00. This will be a chance
to meet the other students and parents in our class (more details to come).

You will find my summer contact information below. Please feel free to contact me
with any questions you may have (big or small). The year ahead is an exciting
opportunity for your child. We look forward to having you join us as a part of the
wonderful community here at Hope Academy!
Rebecca Smith
Cell Phone- 864.286.8249
rebeccasmith@hopeacademy.org