Early EducationProgram

Toddlers through Kindergarten

Discover. Grow. Achieve.Transformational Learning Anchored in Christ

Southside Christian School2211 Woodruff Road, Simpsonville, SC 29681

southsidechristian.org

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Thank you for considering Southside Christian School for the early years of your child’s educational experience. You are your child’s first and most important teachers and we understand the privilege we have when parents choose to partner with us for their child’s education. In this partnership, it is our joy to provide a safe and nurturing atmosphere where young children, 12 months through Kindergarten, can benefit from stimulating learning experiences. Our focus on the whole child utilizes a scaffolding approach to build the foundation for academic excellence.

This strong foundation for learning is key to academic success. Our classes are designed to meet children at their point of development and to support and encourage them as they continue to grow. Students are placed in classes based on their age and developmental level, usually within a six-month range of birthdates. Young children learn best when stimulated through play-based activities. Learning experiences are designed to offer opportunities to learn new skills while mastering those already in process, all in an environment infused with biblical truth.

We recognize the importance of the decision you are making to entrust your child’s care and academic foundation to the school of your choosing. At Southside Christian School, we look forward to the opportunity to partner with you.

Serving Him,

Harriett Neal, M. Ed.Early Education Principal

EARLY EDUCATION

A Letter from the Principal

Toddler Classes

• Social/Emotional - Making choices, group time and special events, interacting with peers, taking turns, learning table manners, and cleanup skills

• Cognitive - Problem solving, pre-math skills (matching, sizes, shapes), colors, seasons, and science

• Language - Storytelling, poems, nursery rhymes, finger plays, conversations, open-ended questions, reading books, music, and singing

• Fine and Gross Motor Skills - Using manipulatives, puzzles, finger plays, appropriate art materials, music movement, hopping, jumping, running, working at an easel, games, and Outdoor Discovery

• Creativity and Sensory - Encouraged through the use of various mediums in Centers and Outdoor Discovery

• Science - Exploration of God’s creation through hands-on activities

• Spiritual - Daily prayer, reverence during prayer, and Bible time; building the foundation for learning the truth of creation by God, being loved by God, and loving one another

Sample Toddler Daily Schedule:

8:05 a.m. Arrival/Welcome8:15 Centers/Small Group Art/Sensory9:15 Clean Up9:20 Wash Hands/Blessing/Snack9:30 Diapering 9:45 Circle Time/Bible10:15 Outdoor Discovery11:15 Inside/Water Break11:20 Wash Hands/Blessing/Lunch11:55 Clean Up/Diapering12:20 p.m. Half-day Student Pickup12:30 Naptime2:30 Lights on/Diapering2:45 Exended Day Student Pickup Begins3:00 Sabre KidsTime Begins

Special Days and ActivitiesThanksgiving FeastHappy Birthday Jesus PartyValentine’s Day CelebrationEaster CelebrationEnd of Year Celebration

Early Education

Pre-K 2 Classes

• Social/Emotional - Making choices, group time and special events, interacting with peers, taking turns, learning table manners, cleanup skills, and dressing after diapering and toileting

• Cognitive - Problem solving, pre-math skills (matching, sizes, shapes), colors, seasons, science, and cooking

• Language - Storytelling, poems, nursery rhymes, finger plays, conversations, open-ended questions, reading books, music, and singing

• Fine and Gross Motor Skills - Using manipulatives, puzzles, finger plays, appropriate art materials (hole punchers, scissors, glue, pencils, markers, and play dough), music movement, hopping, jumping, running, working at an easel, games, and Outdoor Discovery

• Creativity and Sensory - Encouraged through the use of various mediums in Centers and Outdoor Discovery

• Science - Exploration of God’s creation through hands-on activities

• Spiritual - Daily prayer, reverence during prayer, and Bible time; building the foundation for learning the truth of creation by God, being loved by God, and loving one another

Sample Daily Schedule:

8:05 a.m. Welcome/Center Play/Toileting & Diapering8:40 Clean Up8:45 Morning Circle Time9:00 Wash Hands/Blessing/Snack9:15 Outdoor Discovery10:00 Inside for Hand Washing/Water Break10:10 Toileting & Diapering Centers/Art/Sensory Table11:15 Clean Up11:20 Music & Movement11:25 Bible Circle Time11:40 Wash Hands/Blessing/Lunch12:00 p.m. Clean Up/Toileting & Diapering12:20 Half-day Student Pickup12:30 Toileting & Diapering for Naptime12:45 Naptime2:30 Toileting & Diapering2:45 Extended Day Student Pickup Begins3:00 Sabre KidsTime Begins

Special Days and ActivitiesThanksgiving FeastHappy Birthday Jesus PartyValentine’s DayGrandparents DayEaster CelebrationSpecial Parent DaysBubble Day

Early Education

Pre-K 3 Classes• Social/Emotional - Making choices, group time and special events, interacting with peers,

taking turns, learning table manners, and cleanup skills

• Cognitive - Problem solving, pre-math skills (matching, sizes, shapes), colors, seasons, science, and cooking

• Language - Storytelling, poems, nursery rhymes, finger plays, conversations, open-ended questions, reading books, music, and singing

• Language Arts - Reading and writing readiness skills developed through Handwriting Without Tears curriculum and other activities

• Fine and Gross Motor Skills - Using manipulatives, puzzles, finger plays, appropriate art materials (hole punchers, scissors, glue, pencils, markers, and play dough), music movement, hopping, jumping, running, working at an easel, games, and Outdoor Discovery

• Creativity and Sensory - Encouraged through the use of various mediums in Centers and Outdoor Discovery

• Science - Exploration of God’s creation through hands-on activities

• Spiritual - Daily prayer, reverence during prayer, and Bible time; building the foundation for learning the truth of creation by God, being loved by God, and loving one another

• Weekly Related Arts - PE, select Chapels during 2nd semester

• Foreign Language - Incorporated into daily curriculum and activities

Sample Daily Schedule:

8:05 a.m. Welcome/Table Activities8:25 Clean Up8:40 Morning Meeting8:50 Bathroom/Blessing/Snack9:20 Outdoor Discovery10:00 Bathroom/Water Break 10:15 Language Arts/Pre-Math10:30 Center Play/Small Group Time11:05 Clean Up11:15 Bible Group11:30 Bathroom/Blessing/Lunch 12:10 p.m. Clean Up/Table Activities12:20 Half-day Student Pickup12:30 Bathroom Break12:45 Nap/Rest Time2:15 Center Play2:45 Extended Day Student Pickup Begins3:00 Sabre KidsTime Begins

Special Days and ActivitiesHarvest DaysGrateful for Grandparents DayHilarious Hat DayHappy Birthday Jesus PartyPastries with ParentsValentine’s Day PartyEaster Egg HuntChapel of PraiseHeritage Park with Parents

Early Education

Pre-K 4 Classes

Pre-K 4 classes continue to build on the scaffold with immersion into the language arts, phonics, and math curriculums. The curriculum is enriched through Chapel, Literacy, Music, PE, Art, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math).

• Pre-Reading - Developed through phonics, recognition of upper and lower case letters, and beginning sounds

• Science, Social Studies, Exploration - Experienced through exploration of God’s creation, our community, and the world with engaging hands-on units

• Verbal and Listening Skills - Fostered during classroom interactions, reading, music, rhyming, and finger plays

• Fine Motor Skills - Encouraged through writing, cutting, building, manipulatives, Art, and Handwriting Without Tears

• Gross Motor Skills - Encouraged during Outdoor Discovery, indoor activities, and PE instruction

• Field Trips - Offer an extension of the classroom learning experience

• Spiritual Development - Nurtured through daily biblical integration of all curriculum, Bible teaching and worship, and weekly Chapel

• Weekly Related Arts - Chapel, Music, PE, Literacy, Art, and STEAM

• Foreign Language - Incorporated into daily curriculum and activities

Sample Daily Schedule:

8:05 a.m. Arrival Activities8:45 Morning Meeting/Bible Story9:15 Language Arts9:30 Hands-On Projects9:45 Music/Show & Tell/Get Up and Move Time10:00 Bathroom/Wash Hands/Snack10:20 Handwriting Without Tears Rotations10:40 Centers11:00 Outdoor Discovery11:40 Math12:00 p.m. Story Time/Carline for Half-day Students12:30 Bathroom/Wash Hands/Lunch1:00 Rest Time2:00 Afternoon Activities 2:45 Carline for Extended Day Students3:00 Sabre KidsTime Begins

Past Field TripsGreenville ZooLowes FoodsSports Club

Special Days and ActivitiesThanksgiving FeastChristmas CelebrationValentine’s Day PartyEaster Egg HuntMuffins for MomDonuts with Dad

Early Education

Pre-K 5 ClassesPre-K 5 is a wonderful option for children who are young or on a developmental clock that benefits from the gift of time before Kindergarten.

• Language Arts - Phonics, recognition of upper and lower case letters, beginning sounds, and journaling; beginning blending and reading skills as students are ready

• Math - Developed and reinforced through calendar skills, patterns, sequencing, sorting, measurement, time, money, and using various manipulatives (Harcourt and Calendar Math)

• Science, Social Studies, Exploration - Experienced through exploration of God’s creation, our community, and the world with engaging hands-on units

• Verbal and Listening Skills - Fostered during classroom interactions, reading, music, rhyming, and multi-step directions

• Fine Motor Skills - Encouraged through writing, cutting, building, manipulatives, Art, and handwriting instruction

• Gross Motor Skills - Encouraged during Outdoor Discovery, indoor activities, and PE instruction

• Field Trips - Offer an extension of the classroom learning experience

• Spiritual Development - Nurtured through daily biblical integration of all curriculum, Bible teaching and worship, and weekly Chapel

• Weekly Related Arts - Chapel, Music, PE, Literacy, Art, and STEAM

• Foreign Language - Incorporated into daily curriculum and activities

Sample Weekly Schedule:

Daily: Outdoor Discovery/Recess: 10 - 10:45 a.m. Lunch: 12:25 - 1:00 p.m.

Monday: PE: 8:45 - 9:15 a.m.

Tuesday: Art: 8:40 - 9:20 a.m./STEAM: 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday: Chapel: 8:45 - 9:15 a.m.

Thursday: Music: 9:15 - 9:45 a.m.

Friday: Literacy: 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.

Past Field TripsCold Stone CreameryLake Conestee Nature ParkKahue’s Farm

Special Days and Activities50’s Day Thanksgiving FeastPajama Christmas Party100th Day Celebration Valentine’s Day PartyEaster Egg HuntGames with Grandparents

Early Education

Kindergarten Classes• Language Arts - Comprehensive program emphasized through daily handwriting, reading,

journaling, phonics, and grammar skills (Open Court/McGraw Hill Language Arts)

• Math - Developed and reinforced through calendar skills, patterns, sequencing, sorting, measurement, time, money, and using various manipulatives (Sadlier-Oxford and Calendar Math)

• Social Development - Encouraged through independent work, corporate activities, resolving conflicts, and sharing

• Health and Fitness - Encouraged during direct classroom instruction, Outdoor Discovery, and PE classes

• Creativity - Nurtured through Art, Music, various center activities in the classroom, and opportunities to use higher-level thinking skills

• Field Trips - Offer an extension of the classroom learning experience

• Spiritual Development - Nurtured through daily biblical integration of all curriculum, Bible teaching and worship, and weekly Chapel

• Weekly Related Arts - Chapel, Music, PE, Literacy, Art, and STEAM

• Foreign Language - Incorporated into daily curriculum and activities

Sample Weekly Schedule:

Daily: Outdoor Discovery/Recess: 10:45 - 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch: 12:30 - 1:00 p.m.

Monday: PE: 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday: STEAM: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Chapel: 8:45 - 9:15 a.m.

Thursday: Art: 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. Literacy: 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Friday: Music: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Past Field TripsWhole Foods Holly Tree Family DentalPelham Batesville Fire Dept.Five Forks LibraryHeritage Park

Special Days and Activities50’s DayCharlie Brown ThanksgivingChristmas BrunchIgloo Project 100th Day CelebrationValentine’s DayDr. Seuss WeekEaster Egg HuntKindergarten Commencement

Early Education

Related Arts

Chapel - Early Education Chapel is designed to instill in our young students a love for worship and a desire to learn about God. Chapel music is biblically sound, age appropriate, and appealing to children. Content for Chapel is built around a theme using Bible verses, Bible stories, and application of biblical principles. Each class has the opportunity to present a program for chapel during the school year. Parents are invited to join us for this special time. Pre-K 4, Pre-K 5, and Kindergarten students attend Chapel each week. During second semester, Pre-K 3 students attend selected chapels.

Literacy Lab - Literacy Lab ignites the desire to read in our emergent and early readers. Through exposure to various authors and genres, students are drawn into the world of reading as they discover books that relate to their individual interests. Literacy is taught using developmentally appropriate methods that build pre-reading/reading skills and encourage interest in, and excitement about, reading.

Music - Students learn about the world around them and how it relates to listening, seeing, expressing, and creating music. With folk and instructional songs, the students are able to touch on aspects of beat, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, and duration. Students also receive an overview of instrument families and learn about their voices. Within the Kindergarten program, creative movement, instrumental experimentation, beginning vocal work, and listening skills are all heavily encouraged. Pre-K 4 and Kindergarten Music classes are designed to meet South Carolina music standards in creative expression.

PE - Activities and games meet children’s developmental needs while integrating biblical principles and classroom units. Students move and play to encourage muscle growth while learning basic beginner sports skills and good sportsmanship practices. PE activities include coordinated dancing, early ball handling skills, obstacle courses, and introductions to team sports. Pre-K 4 and Kindergarten PE classes are designed to meet South Carolina physical education standards in a fun and safe environment that encourages children to move and play.

Art - Visual Art instruction reaches students in innovative ways by energizing, educating, and introducing them to a variety of content. The curriculum includes activities which will help children develop their cognitive, social, and motor abilities while enjoying the beautiful world God created. Students work on developing skills which apply to many other areas of the curriculum. Children develop an appreciation for the art of other peoples and cultures and the confidence to express their own thoughts and feelings through art.

STEAM - STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math and is a framework for teaching that is based on natural ways of learning. This approach seeks to tie the various subject areas together in an interdisciplinary way. The STEAM program encourages exploration in learning, as well as a focus on working together as a team. Students thrive in an environment where they can collaborate to learn through fun and educational formats.

A few examples of STEAM activities:• Building skyscrapers (gravity and force)• Exploration and building of different types of bridges (beam, tunnel, etc.)• Constructing marble runs, roller coasters, and racetracks • Exploring surface tension through science experiments using substances such as water

and milk

NOTES

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men sinceyou know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Colossians 3:23-24