September: weeks 1 and 2

These first two weeks shall be spent integrating and acclimating into a very laid back, child-led curriculum. This precious time is all about helping children feel safe; aid in building relationships; and exploring their environment.

Social and Emotional Learning: learning eachother’s names; practicing mindful social grace; caring for their immediate environment within the classroom; gaining autonomy and independence.

Literacy: name recognition; letter focus; and stories about prechool and nature.

Math: counting to 5 (possibly 10) using objects; patterning; sorting; size comparisons.

Science: using our five senses within the classroom; talking about things we notice in our surroundings; introduction of observation skill set.

Art: self portrait drawings; making hand print alphabet letter decor for the classroom

Fine Motor: this can incorporate all kinds of sensory play such as modelling clay, threading beads, scissor practice.

Outdoor Learning: touring the playground; nature scavenger hunting; leaf and stone collecting; birds and bugs observations using our senses.

NATURE INVITATION: take a moment. Find a favourite outdoor place and visit it together for 10-15 minutes. Encourage the children to focus on what they see, feel, hear, smell. Focus on remembering that moment of tranquility for the remainder of the day.

Take only memories. Leave only kindness.

September: weeks 3 and 4

These two weeks shall focus on apples and introduction to conservation. Children will discover the inside of an apple and learn that every part serves a purpose.

Social and Emotional Learning: focusing on gratitude and all of the things we have to be thankful for. Also, learning social grace with please and thank-you.

Literacy: focus cards featuring new words that will be coming up in conversation such as apple, peel, seed, stem, pulp and core.

Math: seed counting; graphing preferences post taste-test of a variety of apples.

Science: taste-testing apples; observations of taste, texture and consistency; dissection using child-friendly plastic knives.

Art: making dye out of reserved apple skins; apple stamping; making applesauce.

Fine Motor: cutting into apples; removing seeds; practical living skills such as spooning and pouring seeds.

Outdoor Learning: visit an apple orchard; put an apple core into compost and observe any insects attracted to the scent; plant a seed in a pot and care for it.

NATURE INVITATION: take a moment. You’re about to start your school year’s composting pile. Thank the apple for giving us an abundance or learning opportunities and delicious food. Discuss what will happen to the apple within the compost: who will also be getting a delicious treat? Discuss giving fruit back to the earth with gratitude for the fruit supplied to us. Remember and reflect on this moment.