ENRICHMENTS

ENRICHMENTS

Science Club

Science Club is one of the best hours of the week at Second Presbyterian Preschool!  The teacher is our Workshop teacher Martha Wheeler, who has a Master’s degree in Science Education, and she has developed her own curriculum for this unique program.  

Each week, Science Club explores a science topic of high interest to Threes and Fours, with lots of hands on experiences, discussion, songs, and books.  The emphasis is on exploration and what scientists do, not memorizing facts.  Topics we explore include eggs and birds, things that spin, the science of colors, wind power, electricity, solutions, magnets, dinosaurs and fossils, the human body, chemical reactions, engineering, and much more.  

Every week, each child brings home a newsletter that summarizes the activities he or she did that day in Science Club, and also includes activities for follow-up at home.  Many weeks also include take-home items that can be used again and again to reinforce the concepts learned at school. We currently offer two Science Club sessions each week, one for Threes (Monday 1-2) and one for Fours (Tuesday 1-2). 

ENRICHMENTS

Soccer Club

Soccer Shots is a children’s soccer experience.  The Soccer Shots Classic program utilizes creative and imaginative games to focus on basic soccer skills like dribbling, passing and shooting.  It also highlights a positive character trait each session such as respect, teamwork, and appreciation.  

Our Soccer Shots Coach comes to the preschool on Monday afternoons from 1:00-2:00 to coach the Fours class and on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00-2:00 to coach the Threes class.   Please click on this link for a short video on the Soccer Shots Classic program:  https://youtu.be/x9w5HZxj0z8

ENRICHMENTS

Creative Movement

A Creative Movement Enrichment Class for Threes and Fours, taught by Laura Dueker, Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.   The monthly fee for this enrichment is $45.

Participating students should wear comfortable clothing that will allow for a full range of motion. They do not need additional clothing or special shoes.

Creative movement is movement that reflects the inner state of a child. In creative movement, children are free to express their own personalities, style, thoughts, and feelings. Creative movement encourages children to act on what they are learning and express their individuality.

Some benefits of using creative movement:

  • Helps children develop body control
  • Children gain coordination and balance through varied movements
  • Children are able to respond to music and rhythm
  • Encourages children to express their creativity in physical ways
  • Children learn that movement can communicate actions and ideas
  • Gives children a different way of expressing themselves, especially if it is difficult for them to articulate what they are communicating
  • Encourages participation
  • Allows for exploration of cause and effect
  • Develops listening skills
  • Encourages social skills

ENRICHMENTS

Classical Corner

Classical Corner will expose students to some of the most famous pieces of Classical music and timeless stories written especially for children.  Students will experience the music and stories through songs, playing instruments, movement, crafts, games, and educational activities. 

First semester – Children’s Corner Suite

Claude Debussy’s, Children’s Corner Suite, is a six-movement suite for solo piano.  It was written to capture the essence of childhood with charm, grace and humor.  Although Debussy dedicated the composition to his three-year-old daughter, Claude-Emma, the pieces are not intended to be played by children; rather they are meant to be evocative of childhood and inspired by some of the toys in his daughter’s toy collection. 

Second semester – Carnival of the Animals

Carnival of the Animals has become one of Camille Saint-Saens’ best-known works.  As the title suggests, the work follows a zoological program through 14 short movements, each representing a different animal or animals. The work was originally written for a private performance and is scored for two pianos and orchestra.