Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum

Through authentic hands-on learning which embraces arts integration, outdoor experiences, and real-world opportunities, we inspire, motivate, and engage our children’s creativity and give value to each child’s "gifts." We strive to provide a rich learning environment that celebrates individuality and supports authentic learning so that children can reach their fullest personal and academic potential. Integrating our school's Core Values (Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Responsibility) along with global and cultural awareness, our curriculum reflects collaboration and interaction between Out-of-Door and neighboring communities to create an environment for lifelong learning.

Our pre-Kindergarten literacy program is designed to give young learners a strong foundation in reading and writing through engaging, research-based, hands-on experiences tailored to early childhood development. We focus on building essential skills like vocabulary, phonological awareness, print recognition, and storytelling. Our program includes daily read-alouds, interactive storytime, and playful activities that encourage children to explore language through songs, rhymes, and conversation. Additionally, we provide a literacy-rich environment with a variety of books, educational games, and writing materials to stimulate curiosity and foster a lifelong love for reading. By integrating these activities into a nurturing and supportive classroom, our pre-Kindergarten literacy program prepares children for success in kindergarten and beyond.

High-quality, challenging, and accessible mathematics education in early childhood is a vital foundation for future mathematics learning. In our pre-Kindergarten, children will experience effective, research-based curriculum and teaching practices that enhance children’s natural interest in mathematics and their disposition to use it to make sense of their physical and social worlds. Our curriculum is more than a collection of activities; it is coherent, focuses on important mathematical content, and adequately prepares students for success in kindergarten and beyond.

The focus of pre-Kindergarten Marine Science is the exploration and appreciation of the ocean world. Students begin the year by learning about and exploring the various tools that scientists utilize. They also learn about marine animals and their unique adaptations that help them survive in their specific habitats. Students participate in engaging STEM challenges and experiments to further their understanding of marine science, and they are encouraged to develop their critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills throughout the year. Students participate in an annual field trip to Mote Marine Laboratory to explore the estuary with marine scientists.

The MITT (Meaningful, Innovative, and Transformative Transliteracy) curriculum is comprised of interwoven strands that explore transliteracy. Using a design thinking framework, students learn to access, use, produce, and share information. They develop as curious and independent learners who are aware of their rights and responsibilities as a digital citizen. In pre-Kindergarten, students meet Super 3, a character used to explain the design thinking process when exploring curiosities and solving problems. Through literature and nonfiction exploration, teacher modeling, and book circulation, students explore the three steps: plan, do, and review.

Pre-Kindergarten is the optimum time to introduce children to a second language. At this age, they are excited to learn. The majority of learning happens through music, song, games, and repetition. The focus at the pre-Kindergarten level is the introduction and fostering of a love of the Spanish language. Concepts included are; greetings, numbers 1-10, colors, simple shapes, parts of the face, immediate family members, and traditional Spanish songs and nursery rhymes.

Students learn songs that revolve around the 'heartbeat' or quarter note pulse. High-low pitch recognition, fast-slow rhythms, simple melodies, and playing on unpitched percussion instruments are highlights of the pre-Kindergarten music curriculum. Students also participate in a multitude of performances throughout the year.

Students attend Physical Education classes three days per week where they are introduced to a variety of activities that assist in learning different ways to move safely in an open area as well as improve locomotor skills such as galloping, sliding, running, skipping, and walking. Students are encouraged to explore alternative ways they can move or manipulate objects. Low-organized, small-group games are used to create excitement and fine-tune these skills. Sportsmanship and team building are reinforced through each activity.