Curriculum 

We follow the Illinois Early Learning Standards and the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools Learning Standards and Curriculum. We plan projects, games, songs, lessons and activities that educate and make learning fun. We teach by themes which usually change each week. Our primary curriculum resource for reading readiness is from the Rowland Reading Foundation, “Happily Ever After.” This is a comprehensive program designed to give children a foundation in early literacy skills they need in order to be successful when they begin formal reading instruction later. We also use “Let’s Begin with THE LETTER PEOPLE.” It is a comprehensive, research based, and developmentally appropriate curriculum organized around themes that integrate knowledge across subject areas. Each child engages in explorative play and begins to make sense of what is being experienced in his or her own way. 

Our curriculum includes: 

Religion: We use the Sadlier “Discovering God Program”, 2000 edition. Four-year-olds use Discovering God’s World. We explore God’s gift of creation. Three-year-olds use Discovering God’s Child. Each child will be bringing home the pages as we talk about them in class. You will find the Parent pages very interesting and filled with information and ideas. We also will be learning prayers in class. 

Balanced Emergent Literacy: Listening, speaking, print awareness, beginning exploration of alphabetic knowledge, and many opportunities for early writing experiences as well as rhyming, rhythm and fine-motor skill experiences. 

Math: We will begin exploring the concepts of counting, number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, sorting and classifying, time and spatial relationships, patterns, shapes, measurement and simple graphing. The concepts are introduced through individual exploration as well as fun games and activities. 

Science: We will begin to investigate, explore, and observe using our senses and scientific tools such as magnifying glasses and balance scales. Some of the topics we will explore are the weather, animals, insects, plants as well as others. 

Social Studies: We will explore holidays, families, people as well as social and self-help skills. 

Art and Music: These subjects are integrated into daily activities. 

Physical Education: The children attend gym class once a week with the St. Barbara’s gym teacher. We have large motor activities daily in each class. 

Second Step: A conflict resolution program geared toward preschool age children. 

The classroom is set up into centers, including computer, dramatic play, blocks, science, writing, art, sensory, sand, reading and others, where the children can choose from a variety of materials. The children participate daily in a town meeting, activity centers, circle time; which consists of calendar, prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, music, large motor activities, religious lessons, and story time. 

Snack/Lunch 

Each class will have snack time. Full-day class includes a lunch time. These are learning and social experiences and we pray before each. 

Birthdays 

Birthdays are recognized on or before the child’s actual birthday. Summer birthdays are recognized in May. Children may bring a treat for each classmate to take home, but it must be individually wrapped. 

Parties and Special Days 

Holidays and special days are celebrated in the classroom. We have a Halloween Party, Christmas Gathering, and an End of the Year Celebration all of which parents are invited. You will receive information prior to each event. Valentine’s Day is observed in class with the children. St. Barbara Preschool children are included in a variety of school activities including school liturgies, Picture Person presentations, and Faith Partners; which pairs upper and lower grades for academic, religious and social occasions. Preschool also participates in the all-school Christmas program.