The Shining Stars Pre-K program at North Star Academy has been carefully designed to incorporate the benefits found in several historically successful curriculums: the Creative Curriculum, Zoo-Phonics, TouchMath, and Wee Learn Christian Curriculum. Your Shining Star will experience significant, lifelong learning skills through active thinking and experimenting to find out how things work. North Star teachers are trained to have an in-depth understanding of the complex social/emotional, physical and cognitive development of young children and the way children learn. This understanding will be reflected in the variety of activities offered to children so that all individual needs and learning styles are met.

The Shining Star Pre-K classroom will be divided into different communities so that children can learn to work in small groups or independently to solve problems. These communities will incorporate the learning of appropriate skills, concepts and knowledge in literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts and technology.

The Zoo-Phonics program teaches the alphabet using a cast of Animal characters and sounds, and a body movement that directly relates to the Animal/Letter, allowing children to utilize the alphabet immediately. Through games and other phonics materials, this program makes the connection between reading, spelling, literature and student writing. (www.zoophonics.com)

With TouchMath students interact with numbers on paper by seeing, saying, hearing, and touching numbers as they arrive at the right answer without guessing. They learn math facts by using auditory reinforcement, flashcards, and timed tests. This program will present a comprehensive program to teach counting, addition, subtraction, story problems, time, money, and early fractions. (www.touchmath.com)

Wee Learn Christian Curriculum is a theme-based curriculum. Each unit will begin with a Bible story followed by meaningful discussion about the topic. Group time will be used to ask and answer questions, tell personal stories, and relate the current topic to your child's everyday life. This topic will then be incorporated into the activities offered in each community. This consistent theme will help children stay focused and keep them interested in an exciting topic while learning necessary concepts.

Topics We Will Enjoy:

My World In Autumn

• Starting to School
• Learning About Me
• Enjoying My Favorite Things
• Living with My Family
• Enjoying Pets
• Discovering Fall
• Helping My Community
• Taking Time to Be Thankful

My World In Winter

• Discovering Winter
• Sharing Christmas Joy
• Staying Healthy
• Finding Out About Others
• Communication with One Another
• Moving Around in My World

My World In Spring

• Discovering Through My Senses
• Experiencing Spring
• Finding Out About Farm Life
• Learning About Zoo and Wild Animals
• Taking Care of My World

My World In Summer

• Experiencing Outdoor Fun
• Learning About Water
• Exploring Day and Night
• Learning About Buildings and Machines
• Using Signs and Symbols

Language Development
The Shining Stars program offers daily exposure to the Spanish language. Your child will focus on Spanish in our language lab twice a week, but objects around the room will be labeled with their English and Spanish names, and children will be rewarded for trying to use this new language.

Helping the Community
It is important to encourage children to focus their attention outward and find ways to help others. North Stars Shining Stars will participate in monthly activities that fulfill the needs of others in their community. We will visit such places as the Humane Society, Nursing Home and other family help centers where we will provide entertainment, gifts, or just help in simple services. Your Shining Star will be able to tell you all the ways to find joy in helping others!

Including the Family
A child's family is the most important part of his or her life. We wish to include your family in the North Star family. A letter will be sent home at the end of each unit explaining what we have been working on. It will also offer activities that you can complete with your child at home so that they know you are interested in what they are learning. Teachers will complete developmental assessments of each child to share with you along with the next steps for moving forward. We will ask that parents complete a progress report on North Star and your child's teacher so that we will understand how you feel your child is progressing emotionally, physically and mentally. Continually working with parents will allow us to perfect our curriculum and teaching strategies so that we are offering the best service possible to you and your children.