Catonsville Cooperative Preschool

* Note: The objectives and skills presented are those which form the basis for the instructional program for the typical student at this age level. Due to individual differences in student achievement, some students may not cover all skills designated, while others may go beyond those stated.

Language Arts/Reading Readiness:

To improve the quality of communication skills for each child.
To develop in each child an inquiring mind with the ability to think critically, analytically and creatively.
To help the child acquire an awareness of his/her self image and his/her worth as an individual.
To help the child realize the need for and to acquire the skill for sharing one's knowledge and experience.
To help the child extend his understanding of the world in which he lives while clarifying his concepts.
To explore with the child a variety of means of communication.

Skills

Recognize own name in print
Identify shapes and colors
Recognize and reproduce patterns (i.e. with beads, shapes, letters)
Group objects which are alike in some way (i.e. color, size, use)
Identify objects which are different from others in a group
Select and look at books
Identify likenesses and differences in letters and words
Identify differences in sounds (words that sound alike, rhyme)
Associate letters with their corresponding sounds
Identify letter names for upper and lower case letters
Listen and follow directions given in a one-to-one situation
Follow directions given in a group situation
Recognize directional concepts: on/in, over/under, beside/behind, inside/outside, first/last
Listen to a story, friend or topic of interest
Use correct names for everyday objects
Communicate clearly, using appropriate words and a variety of sentence structures
Ask questions
Express ideas and experiences
Create a story from pictures and/or experiences
Understa that print conveys meaning
Begin to form letters
Expand vocabulary
Enjoy stories, poems and songs
Listen to age-appropriate nonfiction texts
Recognize sequential order
Listen to a variety of texts representing diverse cultures, perspectives and ethnicities
Listen to a variety of types of literary texts, including stories, poems, realistic fiction and fairy tales
Play with words, with rhythm and with rhyme
Use letter-like shapes, symbols and letters
Dictate sentences and phrases
Use words to communicate feelings

Mathematics:

To help the child have an understanding of mathematical ideas.
To help the child have the ability to solve problems.
To help the child acquire techniques and skills of computation.
To develop an atmosphere for creative thinking skills.

Skills

Comparing objects
Comparing objects by number
Preparing for addition and subtraction
Identifying ordinal numbers
Counting from zero to ten
Identifying geometric shapes: square, circle, rectangle, triangle
Understanding one-to-one correspondence
Sorting items by a variety of criteria (shape, color, size, etc.)
Recognizing the calendar and clock as instruments for measuring time
Identifying patterns
Comparing small groups of objects to determine more or less
Understanding comparative attributes such as bigger, smaller, longer, shorter, lighter, heavier, etc.
Exploring capacity of a variety of containers
Exploring the weight of objects
Exploring data by use of graphs
Using graphs to answer questions such as, “Which category has the most?”
Matching a numeral to a set 0 to 5
Using ordinal words to indicate position such as first, next, last.

Science:

To help children know and enjoy their environment.
To help children understand and control their own bodies.
To help children enjoy safely the new experiences into which their activities and curiosity lead them.
To help children learn to ask simple but significant questions.
To help each child learn to be a good observer.
To help children develop a respect for nature and all living things.
Topics covered include: weather, magnetism, light, air, colors.

Skills

Observing
Manipulating
Identifying
Exploring
Classifying
Problem solving
Using tools such as rulers, magnifiers or balances to extend their senses and gather information

Music:

To make music an enjoyable part of the child's school experience.
To develop an appreciation of music.
To help children learn to be a part of the group.
To encourage creativity through rhythmic expression and to provide opportunities for physical development and body control through musical activities.
To stimulate language development and to give the child a medium for expressing thoughts and feelings.
To develop auditory discrimination.

Skills

Exposure to a variety of types of music
Moving to music
Singing
Playing instruments

Art:

To make art an enjoyable part of the child's school experience.
To develop an appreciation of art.
To provide an opportunity for the child to experiment with color, form, texture and size.
To help the child learn respect for tools, equipment and materials.
To develop and encourage imagination and creativity.
To provide opportunities for many expressions of thought and feeling.
To expose the child to a wide variety of art materials.

Skills

Measuring, cutting, shaping and gluing into forms using paper and cardboard
Forming designs with clay
Applying paint to paper, cardboard and cloth
Using finger and powder paints
Using paper and string, as well as other media, in design activities

Social Studies:

To help the child recognize and appreciate his/her uniqueness as an individual.
To help the child develop social interaction skills and develop awareness of each person's responsibility as a member of a group such as a family or a class.
To help each child increase his/her knowledge of man and his dependencies.
To help each child develop an appreciation for the unusual and the beautiful in one's own and other cultures.
To help each child develop an awareness of his/her community, neighborhood and state.
To help each child develop an understanding of national holidays.
To foster an awareness in children of the world of work (i.e. careers, professions, etc).
To foster an awareness of other countries and cultures.

Skills

Obtaining facts from pictures
Obtaining information from resource persons
Working in groups
Recognizing maps, globes, etc.
Recognizing symbols on the calendar and identifying national holidays
Identifying community helpers and other career choices
Identifying forms of transportation in their community

Physical Education/Health:

To help the child develop muscular control and skill in coordinating his/her movements.
To increase strength and endurance.
To help the child live healthfully and to acquire desirable health habits.
To help the child develop a awareness of danger and an understanding of safety.
To know and appreciate the physical self through movement.

Skills

Catching
Throwing
Bouncing
Rolling
Walking
Hopping
Cooperating with another person to move together (i.e using the parachute, 3-legged race, etc.)
Jumping
Leaping
Sliding
Galloping
Balancing
Body movements in place such as stretching and bending
Describing a cooperative family unit
Identifying beneficial foods and medicines
Comparing the growth of living things
Identifying good health habits
Stating good safety habits
Identifying a healthful environment

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Overall Objectives

Social Objectives

Objectives and Skills for the Preschool Program

Language Arts/Reading Readiness:

Mathematics:

Science:

Music:

Art:

Social Studies:

Physical Education/Health: