Lightning Class
Class Description
The Lightning Class is made up of 13 three and four year olds and two teachers, Becky Hastie and Cheryl Geurts. Meeting Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 8:30-11:15am, the Lightning Class is a good fit for students who are new to preschool and those who may have previously attended preschool for two days a week. This class follows the traditional school schedule.
Curriculum Description
The Creative Curriculum is a nationally recognized curriculum that is aligned with the Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards (QPPS). The Creative Curriculum translates new research and theory from the field of early childhood education into a practical, easy-to-understand approach to working with children. It is a comprehensive curriculum that includes a framework for decision making along with a focus on interest areas (blocks, dramatic play, toys & games, art, library, cooking, discovery, music & movement, outdoors and computer.)
Al’s Pals: Kids Making Healthy Choices is a nationally recognized evidence-based curriculum and teacher training program that provides a systematic approach to teaching children social and emotional skills. Lessons include expressing feelings appropriately, caring about others, making and keeping friends, gaining self-control, and peaceful conflict resolution.
Skills Covered
The skills covered in the Lightning Class include:name recognition, beginning to write first name (uppercase letters), correct pencil/scissor grip, cutting on straight lines, colors, shapes (square, triangle, circle, heart, star, rectangle, oval), verbal counting to 20, identification of some uppercase letters, self-help skills, and following directions.
These skills are taught through a series of thematic units.
The Lightning Class is made up of 13 three and four year olds and two teachers, Becky Hastie and Cheryl Geurts. Meeting Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 8:30-11:15am, the Lightning Class is a good fit for students who are new to preschool and those who may have previously attended preschool for two days a week. This class follows the traditional school schedule.
Curriculum Description
The Creative Curriculum is a nationally recognized curriculum that is aligned with the Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards (QPPS). The Creative Curriculum translates new research and theory from the field of early childhood education into a practical, easy-to-understand approach to working with children. It is a comprehensive curriculum that includes a framework for decision making along with a focus on interest areas (blocks, dramatic play, toys & games, art, library, cooking, discovery, music & movement, outdoors and computer.)
Al’s Pals: Kids Making Healthy Choices is a nationally recognized evidence-based curriculum and teacher training program that provides a systematic approach to teaching children social and emotional skills. Lessons include expressing feelings appropriately, caring about others, making and keeping friends, gaining self-control, and peaceful conflict resolution.
Skills Covered
The skills covered in the Lightning Class include:name recognition, beginning to write first name (uppercase letters), correct pencil/scissor grip, cutting on straight lines, colors, shapes (square, triangle, circle, heart, star, rectangle, oval), verbal counting to 20, identification of some uppercase letters, self-help skills, and following directions.
These skills are taught through a series of thematic units.
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Class Schedules
8:30-9:00 Arrival/Choice Time 9:00-9:15 Group Time 9:15-9:25 Music Time 9:25-9:45 Snack 9:45-10:05 Story/Project 10:05-10:35 Choice Time 10:35-11:00 Outside 11:00-11:15 Review and Dismissal |
Thematic Units
August/Sept. – Getting to Know Your Preschool, All About Me, Feelings October – Fall, Fire Safety November – Corn, Thanksgiving December – Giving, Christmas January - Winter, Author Study February – Valentines, Community Helpers March – Sea Life, Spring April – Pets, Gardening May – Favorites from the year |
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Preschool-wide Events
October 11 – Costume Exchange and Flu Shot Clinic October 20 – Fall Open House October 23 (October 30 – rain date) – Trunk or Treat November 10 – Parent Education Network and Scholastic Book Fair January 17 – Community Open House February 13-16 – Parent/Teacher conference March – Simpson Play for IPS friends and families |
Special Visitors
Every month, each class enjoys a visit from two special community helpers: Jane Carlson, librarian at Indianola Public Library Missy Smith, naturalist at Annett Nature Center Field Trips: October – Fire Station April – Indianola Public Library May – Annett Nature Center May – Barker Park |
