Cross Roads Preschool

Cross Roads exposes children to all educational disciplines in a subtle way consistent with the developmental teaching philosophy. The classrooms all work with thematic units which means a class learning about dinosaurs for example might read stories about dinosaurs, graph their favorite dinosaurs, put together dinosaur puzzles, enjoy the dinosaur stomp, maybe even eat a dinosaur or two. A conscious effort to engage the individual learning styles of all children helps to keep everyone interested and engaged. As part of the lesson plans for each day, week and month, the areas below are specifically addressed.
LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

During a childs first five years language develops from babbling sounds to an emerging reader. We are aware of the many steps in this process and stress mastery of each before a new step is undertaken. Language-rich environments and learning opportunities abound throughout our daily schedules and the classroom settings. Each classroom reads and tells stories daily. Books are always accessible for the childrens individual enjoyment and as group activities. Our Minis are encouraged to speak to their peers and their teachers. Our Threes are encouraged to listen to simple stories. Our Fours are encouraged to converse in detail. Our Kindergarteners are encouraged to tell and write their stories. Classroom large and small group activities, show-and-tell, lunch and snack times are all chances to practice new found language skills.
MATHEMATICS

Every day our students are exposed to mathematical concepts that are the foundation for future successes in addition, subtraction and beyond. Numbering, patterning, matching shapes, proportions, spatial relationships, graphing and one-to-one correspondence are a few of the concepts the teachers incorporate into everyday activities such as calendar, finger plays, games and songs. Supplies and equipment in the classroom allow for individual exploration into the wonderful world of math.
SCIENCE

Everything the children touch, hear, taste, see and smell can become a science experiment. A water table full of sinking and floating objects, a paper left in the sun to fade, a pan of flour, and a cup of scented water are experiments waiting to happen. Children of all ages and stages are natural scientists. We supply the tools and they supply the questions. Theories and hypotheses are discussed and handled according to the childs interest. Teachers are the facilitators in this magical world, the children are the explorers.
SOCIAL STUDIES

The world is an intriguing place that fascinates all children. People from other lands, places, cultures, customs and traditions are explored through a variety of classroom experiences. Literature, music, the sharing of family traditions and the dramatic arts help to bring a little bit of the outside world to life.
ART

At Cross Roads, art is not a class it is a teaching tool. On a daily basis, the teachers provide creative opportunities with a wide array of media for each of the children to explore. It is easy to admire what the children are learning during the school day by the ever changing art displayed on the walls and in our halls.
MUSIC

Music provides children with the opportunity to play and move in a meaningful way. Movin and groovin to various rhythms, acting out finger plays and creating their own percussion sounds and beats encourages the growth of each childs musical gifts. Nursery rhymes, folk songs, echo songs and traditional holiday songs take us all merrily through the school year. Music is not only a daily part of the preschool day but on Wednesdays and Thursdays we provide a separate class time that is a music and movement class. This is twenty minutes of high-engergy, get-the-wiggles-out, celebrate-with-your voice time that the children become actively engaged in each time.

COMPUTERS

Cross Roads ensures your child is ready for the next phase of his/her education by providing the latest in technology. Computers and computer games are integrated into our curriculum. This introduction provides a head start so that your child is comfortable and knowledgeable in basic computer skills. The children work on mouse control, learning the keys on the keyboard and exploring different software and how to use it.
SPANISH

Some basic vocabulary and skills with the Spanish language are part of every Friday. Time is spent learning the language through stories, games, songs and dance. Colors, numbers, days of the week and everyday objects are the concepts focused on in the Spanish class. A great start to the skills needed to continue on in a childs educational adventure.