Curriculum
Preprimary — Prekindergarten (PK), Junior Kindergarten (JK), and
Senior Kindergarten (SK)
In prekindergarten, junior kindergarten, and senior kindergarten, teachers recognize the importance of instilling a love for learning. Our Preprimary program is a balance of teacher-directed and child-initiated learning activities.
Teachers and students construct classroom experiences together. Teachers facilitate learning and challenge children to problem solve, analyze, and build knowledge. The children work and play in both large and small groups to develop self-confidence and social skills. It is a hallmark of our School that we teach, model, and reinforce respect, kindness, and cooperation within a community of learners.
USM offers the following Preprimary programs and options:
| Prekindergarten (PK) Regular Programs: |
Five mornings................................8:15-11:05 a.m. |
|
Additional Options: |
1. Five mornings plus two afternoons*
Tuesday & Thursday*.................8:15 a.m.-3:00p.m.
*Subject to availability
2. Five full days.............................8:15 a.m.-3:00 p.m. |
| Junior Kindergarten (JK) Regular Programs: |
Five mornings................................8:15-11:05 a.m. |
|
Additional Options: |
1. Five mornings plus two afternoons*
Monday & Wednesday*..............8:15 a.m.-3:00p.m.
*Subject to availability
2. Five full days.............................8:15 a.m.-3:00 p.m. |
| Senior Kindergarten (SK) Regular Programs: |
This is a full day program...............8:15 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
All children attend five full days a week. |
Language Arts
Our Preprimary experience is language-rich. Teachers read stories to their children daily and encourage them to make logical predictions while reinforcing oral language skills, as well as concepts of print and rhyme. Through classroom discussion and research, children become authors and illustrators and share ideas. They develop writing skills, letter/sound associations, and awareness of word segmentation as a foundation for moving up to the next level of reading and writing.
Mathematics
Children develop readiness by exploring a wide array of hands-on math materials. They recognize math symbols, identify and write numerals, and develop estimating, graphing, and predicting skills. Pattern blocks, mirrors, cubes, graphs, rulers, and everyday items are used as math tools.
Social Studies and Science
The Preprimary curriculum includes both social studies and science. In social studies, teachers help students establish links between past experiences and new concepts. Children develop an awareness of self, as well as an appreciation of individual differences at home and within the School community.
In science, through hands-on activities and field trips, children are introduced to the scientific process. They begin to learn about and take responsibility for the environment and their community.
World Languages
The Preprimary curriculum includes exposure to Spanish in PK and JK and French in SK. Children recognize and repeat basic vocabulary through games, songs, rhymes, and recitations.
Art, Music, Dance, and Library
Preprimary children participate in a variety of daily art activities to develop small motor skills, creative thinking, and expressive potential.
Our JK and SK children enjoy formal music instruction with a certified music specialist. PK children participate in a weekly sing-a-long.
Senior kindergarten children attend a weekly dance class.
A child's librarian shares story time with PK, JK, and SK children and introduces library skills to complement classroom activities. Books are brought to life with storytelling, puppetry, and dramatics, and children check out books to take home after each library session.
Physical Education
Children participate in formal physical education classes and enjoy daily free play in outdoor and indoor play areas. Field trips and ice skating lessons at age-appropriate levels are included.
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