Classrooms

Welcome to the Galaxy Room!  In the Galaxy Room, we focus on continuation of name writing; introduction to proper mechanics of using a scissors; cutting on a dotted line; patterning; matching words to pictures, introduction to reading site words; sorting; and master placement.  In addition, weather permitting, outdoor play occurs twice a day, both morning and afternoon, to provide children with fresh air, a connection with nature and opportunities for large muscle activities.

What to expect in the Galaxy Room!

6:00-7:00AM: DROP-OFF AND FREE PLAY IN OPENING ROOM
As parents arrive; they drop off their children in the gymnasium.  Teachers supervise the children while they free play.

7:00-8:00 AM:  ARRIVAL/FREE PLAY IN THE CLASSROOM
As children arrive; they will be able to choose an activity in the classroom in one of our special centers.  Activities are available in the following areas:

• Housekeeping
• Block Center
• Computer Center
• Science Center
• Art Center

 8:00-8:30 AM:  BREAKFAST & CLEAN-UP
In the Safari classroom we begin our day at approximately 8:00am by sitting at the table and eating breakfast with all of our friends.  A homemade breakfast is served while teachers greet parents and children upon arrival.  After finishing breakfast, we prepare the children for group Circle Time activities. 

8:30-8:45AM:  BATHROOM BREAK
After eating breakfast, teachers take the children to the restroom for a bathroom break.  As children are waiting their turns, teachers facilitate transition activities (songs, games, etc.)

9:00-9:30 AM:  CIRCLE TIME ACTIVITIES
Circle Time consists of everyone sitting on the Circle Time rug and participating in group activities.  We begin Circle Time with a Welcome Song followed by a Weather activity, Calendar Time, Story Time, etc.  Each day teachers randomly choose children to lead specific jobs for the day (Calendar Helper, Weather Helper, Line Leader, Caboose, etc. )

• Welcome Song
• Weather Song/Activity
• Calendar Time – Learning Days of the Week, Months and Year

Focus for this age is on “Today is…Tomorrow is…. and Yesterday was…”

• Number of the Week – Focus at this age is on one number every two weeks; Numbers 0 thru 15.
  Teachers incorporate number songs, number games such as #3 scavenger hunts, etc.
• Letter of the Week – Focus at this age is on one letter every two weeks; Learning the ABC’s (Upper and Lower Case)
  Teachers facilitate letter songs, letter activities and games to enhance learning.
• Color of the Week – Focus at this age is on one color every two weeks;  All Colors
  Teachers incorporate color songs such as “I can spell yellow”, games geared around the color of the week, Naming games such as “What kinds of things are yellow?”, etc.
• Shape of the Week – Focus at this age is on one shape every two weeks;  All Shapes
• Story Time – Teachers read 1-2 stories that correlate with the weekly theme.  Many times teachers incorporate felt board activities and puppets when reading stories to enhance the learning experience.
• Sign Language – At this age we focus on 3-5 basic signs per week (Food; Clothes; Colors; ect)

9:00-10:00AM:  GYM TIME / OUTSIDE PLAY
 Our gym time and/or outside play time consists of both large and small motor activities.  Each ½ hour of gym time and/or outside play time includes 15 minutes of structured play (specific games and activities planned for the children) and 15 minutes of free play.  The activities used are meant to help develop a child’s balance and muscle development.  The games selected for this age group are designed to help develop coordination and balance and help the children integrate using different parts of their body together.  These games also involve other types of skills, such as learning about animals and developing language and comprehension.

• Parachute Play
• Duck-Duck-Goose Game
• Ping-Pong
• Water Play

10:00-11:00AM:  TABLE MATH ACTIVITIES
All children sit at the tables and participate in math activities

• Worksheets
• Counting
• Math Games

10:00-11:00AM:  CLASSROOM CENTERS AND THEME RELATED ART ACTIVITIES
During our learning time, children are divided into two groups.  One group will engage in an art activity while the other group engages in a learning activity.  Both the art and learning activities will be geared around the weekly theme.  Typical learning activities will include:

• Continuation of Name Writing (Children will learn to hold a pencil and crayon.  In addition they will begin to trace over their name written in a yellow highlighter)
• Cutting – Proper mechanics of cutting with scissors
• Cutting on dotted lines
• Patterning
• Matching – Words to Pictures
• Beginning Reading of Sight Words
• Sorting – Matching
• Master Placement (On Top Of; Next To; Under; Over; In Front Of; Beside; etc.)

11:00-11:20AM:  TABLE ACTIVITIES - LETTER/PHONICS
During this time, the children sit at the circle time rug and listen to an Alpha Tales Story and Songs. 

11:20-11:30AM:  BATHROOM BREAK
Teachers take the children to the restroom for a bathroom break.  As children are waiting their turns, teachers facilitate transition activities (songs, games, etc.)

11:30-12:0PM:  LUNCH TIME/CLEAN UP/BATHROOM BREAK
During this time, all children sit at the table and eat lunch with their friends.  A homemade meal is served while teachers initiate conversation with the children. 

As the children finish eating, the teachers will take the group to the bathroom to wash their hands and use the restroom.  As the children return to the classroom, they unwind by sitting on their cots and preparing for naptime.

12:00-2:00PM:  NAP / QUIET TIME
All children are encouraged to nap and have quiet time.  This time is supervised by a teacher in the classroom at all times.  As the children wake from their naps, they are taken to the bathroom and then look at a book on their cot. 

2:00-2:30PM: BATHROOM/ SNACK / CLEAN-UP
During this time, all children sit at the table and eat a snack with their friends.  We do encourage the children to serve themselves (learning portions and manners).  Each child will be assigned to bring in a snack for the class once or twice each month.

2:30-4:00PM: LEARNING ACTIVITIES/BATHROOM BREAK

4:00-4:45PM:  GYM TIME / OUTSIDE PLAY

Our gym time and/or outside play time consists of both large and small motor activities.  Each ½ hour of gym time and/or outside play time includes 15 minutes of structured play (specific games and activities planned for the children) and 15 minutes of free play.

• Ping-Pong
• Duck-Duck-Goose
• Parachute Play
• Bean Bag Toss

4:45-5:30 TRANSITION TO CLOSING AREA

Children are taken to the gym or outside play area (weather permitting) for free play and parent pick-up.