Five Year Old Program
OUR PROGRAM FOR YOUR FIVE YEAR OLD
If your child just misses the cut-off for kindergarten or you have decided that another year before formal kindergarten is the right choice for your child, we have the program just for you. We have created a classroom where the children must be five by the end of December. Having this older age grouping allows the teachers to advance the level of expectations in all areas of the curriculum. We utilize parent input and our initial assessment to determine the strengths and areas for growth for each of the children and ways in which we will modify the program to meet the needs and interests of the children. Examples of differentiating for these older learners include:
• Sharing their thoughts frequently with the whole group during circle time
• Drawing pictures and writing in a journal throughout the year
• Authoring their own stories and sharing them with their families during an "Author's Tea"
• Reading with a book buddy from Hillside Elementary School
• Engaging in the Engineering Design Process—Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create/Analyze and Improve—frequently throughout the year
• Creating an artistic movement piece that is shared with the families during the Moving Up Ceremony inspired by a story or their own story created as a class
Learning through Play
We will build upon your child's natural curiosities through our project-based, hands-on learning approach. We design the learning to emerge from the children's interests and help develop all the children's intelligences (based upon Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences)—mathematical logical, linguistic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, naturalist, visual-spacial, musical and bodily-kinesthetic. Teachers select a topic to explore that is of interest to the students. Then the teachers initiate the project by asking the children what they already know about the topic and what most interests them about the project. The teachers design the daily experiences to maximize the children's engagement in the project, and ensure they are learning the critical knowledge and skills for their age group. Guest speakers and walking field trips are incorporated to help enhance the breadth and depth of the project. We continually assess their learning through observing and gathering their personal efforts for their own portfolio.
Incorporating the Arts
We believe learning through the arts as well as having an appreciation for the arts is critical for all learners. Therefore, our related arts program enables our children to engage with artists once a week on an eight-week basis. The current offerings of Related Arts include: music and movement, visual art, physical education and gardening.
Four Year Old Program
OUR PROGRAM FOR YOUR FOUR YEAR OLD
Our program for four year olds builds on your child's love of learning and ensures that your child will have a smooth transition into kindergarten.
Learning through Play
We will build upon your child's natural curiosities through our project-based, hands-on learning approach. We design the learning to emerge from the children's interests and help develop all the children's intelligences (based upon Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences)—mathematical logical, linguistic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, naturalist, visual-spacial, musical and bodily-kinesthetic. Teachers select a topic to explore that is of interest to the students. Then the teachers initiate the project by asking the children what they already know about the topic and what most interests them about the project. The teachers design the daily experiences to maximize the children's engagement in the project, and ensure they are learning the critical knowledge and skills for their age group. Guest speakers and walking field trips are incorporated to help enhance the breadth and depth of the project. We continually assess their learning through observing and gathering their personal efforts for their own portfolio.
Incorporating the Arts
We believe learning through the arts as well as having an appreciation for the arts is critical for all learners. Therefore, our related arts program enables our children to engage with artists once a week on an eight-week basis. The current offerings of Related Arts include: music and movement, visual art, physical education and gardening.
Preparation for Kindergarten
We ensure that your child is well-prepared for kindergarten by helping to build those critical communication and problem solving skills, as well helping them meet the other Common Core State Standards, in an exciting classroom environment. When we ask kindergarten teachers what they want from us in terms of preparing children for their classrooms, here are the following skills they say are most critical:
• Taking care of their personal belongings and basic self-help skills
• Being able to sit, listen and understand during circle time (up to 30 minutes)
• Following multiple step directions
• Asking questions, especially when instructions are unclear
• Getting along with their peers
Kindergarten teachers say that letter and number recognition is much less important as that is what the kindergarten curriculum will teach the students. The above articulated skills are so critical because without those, it is very difficult for your child to learn what is being taught. We do expect that most if not all children will recognize and/or write the alphabet, as well as numbers and writing their name and many children will be writing and reading if they are ready. However, at the MCPK are primary focus is on the 21st Century skills of creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and communication, which are the skills necessary to begin a successful career in school and in life.
Our Program for Your Four Year Old
Our program for four year olds builds on your child's love of learning and ensures that your child will have a smooth transition into kindergarten.
Learning through Play
We will build upon your child's natural curiosities through our project-based, hands-on learning approach. We design the learning to emerge from the children's interests and help develop all the children's intelligences (based upon Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences)—mathematical logical, linguistic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, naturalist, visual-spacial, musical and bodily-kinesthetic. Teachers select a topic to explore that is of interest to the students. Then the teachers initiate the project by asking the children what they already know about the topic and what most interests them about the project. The teachers design the daily experiences to maximize the children's engagement in the project, and ensure they are learning the critical knowledge and skills for their age group. Guest speakers and walking field trips are incorporated to help enhance the breadth and depth of the project. We continually assess their learning through observing and gathering their personal efforts for their own portfolio.
Incorporating the Arts
We believe learning through the arts as well as having an appreciation for the arts is critical for all learners. Therefore, our related arts program enables our children to engage with artists once a week on an eight-week basis. The current offerings of Related Arts include: music and movement, choral music, visual art, physical education and Spanish language. Our students work with Miss Laura, our Environmental Science/Gardening Teacher once per month throughout the year, including utilizing our newly installed Edible Gardens.
Full STEAM Ahead for 21st Century Learning
The Montclair Community Pre-K launched its STEAM Initiative in 2014 as a way to ensure that our children begin to acquire the 21st Century skills and knowledge necessary for success in school and in life. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, a wonderful way to use our children's natural curiosities to develop critical 21st Century skills of creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and communication. Our STEAM Initiative is an outgrowth of our 10 years of success with our Garden Project under Miss Laura's leadership, where our children use modern dance to understand photosynthesis, learn to tend to the vegetable and flower gardens, understand deciduous and coniferous by studying our trees, and so much more. We had our Second Annual STEAM Fair this past spring, where classroom projects included plant propagation, making crystals, creating a replica of the solar system, comparing sink and float, creating boats to carry the "Billy Goats Gruff", designing and building a Rube Goldberg machine, and so much more. At the MCPK we're moving full STEAM ahead!
Three Year Old Program
OUR PROGRAM FOR YOUR THREE YEAR OLD
Our program offers a smooth transition for your child whether he or she is coming from home, daycare or other learning environment. We provide a caring and structured experience which gradually enables your child to take on greater and greater independence.
Learning through Play
We will build upon your child's natural curiosities through our project-based, hands-on learning approach. We design the learning to emerge from the children's interests and help develop all the children's intelligences (based upon Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences)—mathematical logical, linguistic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, naturalist, visual-spacial, musical and bodily-kinesthetic. Teachers select a topic to explore that is of interest to the students. Then the teachers initiate the project by asking the children what they already know about the topic and what most interests them about the project. The teachers design the daily experiences to maximize the children's engagement in the project, and ensure they are learning the critical knowledge and skills for their age group. Guest speakers and walking field trips are incorporated to help enhance the breadth and depth of the project. We continually assess their learning through observing and gathering their personal efforts for their own portfolio.
Incorporating the Arts
We believe learning through the arts as well as having an appreciation for the arts is critical for all learners. Therefore, our related arts program enables our children to engage with artists once a week on an eight-week basis. The current offerings of Related Arts include: music and movement, physical education and gardening.
Related Arts
Related arts faculty, each of whom are experts in their chosen field, have chosen to dedicate their time to inspiring our young children. Rotating through each enrichment area in eight-week periods allows our children ample time to engage in, explore, and enjoy every discipline.
Gardening/Environmental Studies: Laura Marchese
Laura founded the MCPK Garden Project 10 years ago and has overseen the development of the school's outdoor spaces including The Butterfly Garden, The Four Season Garden, the Learning and Herb Gardens, and The Berry Patch. She leads a dual life in dance, acting as a Teaching Artist, roster artist, Arts Integration Consultant and residency artist with several arts organizations in NJ. Laura is the co-author of 'Dance to Learn', a developmental dance curriculum that encourages the emergence of each student's individual viewpoint by making art. She enjoys sharing the value and importance of arts education with students, classroom teachers, and other artists throughout the state.
Movement/Drumming: Maya Milenovic Workman
Maya has a B.A. and M.A. from the New School and a BFA equivalent from London School of Contemporary Dance. She has been an international teaching artist since 1980, working with children, professionals, teachers, people with special needs and actors. She directed two Dance Companies and is currently an Artistic Director of MADLOM (Montclair Academy of Dance Laboratory of Music) in Montclair. Maya originated "Moving Theater Methodology" for ages 3-10.
Physical Education: James Goodger
James worked for the YMCA of Montclair for 15 years, including ten years as Branch Director of the Geyer Family Branch. He is now the Executive Director at the South Mountain YMCA in Maplewood, a branch of the Metro YMCA of the Oranges. He combined his degree in Theatre and Dramatic Arts with his love for all sports to develop a preschool Physical Education curriculum that combines imagination, dramatics and physical activity.
Music: Jazz House Kids
The new Jazz Explorers program is being taught by longtime faculty member and collaborator, jazz harpist, Riza Printup. The program incorporates arts and crafts, visual aides, maps, and movement in interactive lessons. Through fun activities, students will explore the Blues, New Orleans jazz, Swing, Bebop, Afro-Cuban music, and Hard Bop, while conveying life lessons, like the importance of working together or making friends from other places, embracing our differences.
Jazz House Kids provides inspiring, professional jazz music instruction and education to children from all backgrounds, raising their motivation and academic performance to build a vibrant community & a robust future for America’s home-grown music.
The One Love Project: Kay Richards
Teachers and facilitators plan and implement lessons and activities celebrating diversity, exploring world cultures and teaching the importance of tolerance, inclusivity, acceptance and respect for all people, families and lifestyles. Families and guests are invited in to share their stories, traditions, cultures and unique experiences to enrich our school culture. This foundational anti-bias program will be infused throughout our classroom explorations, whole-school traditions and community events. The One Love Committee of facilitators, staff members and parents will meet monthly to add to program resources and lead the planning process. Please reach out to your teaching team if you are interested in participating in the One Love Project for your child’s class or school-wide. We ask that each family limit their participation to one or two holidays or traditions per school year to ensure that all families have an opportunity to share with the class.
