Strategic Curriculum
Proven Methods. Powerful Practice.
The curriculum at Pre-K 4 SA follows the HighScope approach, an evidenced-based curriculum backed by more than 40 years of research. Utilizing this approach, our instruction is based on what is developmentally and individually appropriate for the children being served. Our goal is to develop lifelong skills, including problem solving, critical thinking, interpersonal, and communication skills that are fundamental for successful living in our rapidly changing society. We use these core principles to guide our daily instruction.
Integrated Curriculum
Subjects are presented in an interactive and integrated format, conducive to the way young children learn. For example, they learn math when they play with dice on the carpet, and fill buckets half full with water outside and put four handprints on their canvas. It’s intuitive learning — and they take that with them forever.
Positive Environment
Every aspect of the learning environment–from how the furniture is arranged down to how many paint colors are available in the art center–is carefully designed to promote learning. The learning environment is such a critical part of our approach that we refer to it as the third teacher in the classroom. Our classrooms and teaching spaces provide a warm, welcoming and safe atmosphere, and reflect the diversity of the children’s home lives, languages, and cultures. Teachers incorporate materials that are meaningful and interesting to children, and families are invited to contribute as well. The various spaces encourage all levels of play where children are taught to find, use, and return materials independently.
At Pre-K 4 SA curriculum is design to let children explore, discover, create and grow using their brains the way they were designed to be used — through the Five Ingredients of Active Learning.
Culturally Responsive Master Teachers
The curriculum at Pre-K 4 SA is only half of the equation. The other half is our amazing teaching staff. Every classroom has a certified teacher educated specifically in Early Childhood Education and an assistant teacher. Spend just a few minutes in one of our classrooms and you will see how the teacher’s guidance is a critical instrument in the learning process. They ask questions that make the children think, challenge, explore and learn. They model behavior for the children, use intervention skills that strengthen each child’s social skills and create an environment which celebrates diverse cultures and embraces similarities and differences. All Pre-K 4 SA teachers follow the HighScope approach and are trained, observed and evaluated.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get better, it does! At Pre-K 4 SA, we are always on the lookout for new ways to push the envelope and engage our young learners—and their families.
One of the primary goals of Pre-K 4 SA is to create a strong, educated workforce in our city. This requires nurturing an entire generation of people that care about and are involved in impacting the community. Throughout the year, children and their families have opportunities to engage with the community. One of our favorite programs is Gracias San Antonio. Children research and vote on a non-profit organization to support throughout the year. Then during the spring semester, each classroom creates a one-of-a-kind art piece that is auctioned off at the Gracias San Antonio Art show with all proceeds benefiting the organization of choice. At age 4, children experience their actions impacting others in the community. It’s the children’s way of saying ‘gracias’ to the city for investing in them. Amazing!
While most every prekindergarten program has some kind of outdoor play area, none of them compare to the Outdoor Learning Environments (OLEs) at Pre-K 4 SA. Pre-K 4 SA is committed to supporting children in developing physical and cognitive skills as well as an appreciation for nature through strategically designed outdoor learning activities—every day. Each OLE is arranged to provide children with opportunities to interact with open-ended materials-both natural and recycled, in areas that reflect the five classroom interest areas (House, Block, Toy, Art and Book Areas) and create a sense of wonder about the world around them.
