Pumpkin Patch Curriculum

Here at Pumpkin Patch Preschool, we employ a variety of regular curricula throughout each day, week and year. Here are a few examples of exercises we employ on a regular basis.

Share and Tell

Each month your child’s show-n-tell group will be scheduled to share with the class. The children have been assigned to show-n- tell groups (1, 2 or 3) for the year. This is a great opportunity for your child to build group speaking skills.

The Letter Bag

The alphabet program begins each October. We start with the letter A and finish the alphabet program in May with the letter Z. Your child will be exposed to the letter sound, the sign language expression, and the letter in print. The “Letter Bag” is activity designed to reinforce the "letter of the week." This activity is not considered your child’s “Show-n-tell” since show-n-tell does not have to begin with the letter sound of the week. To participate with the “Letter Bag” activity, students are invited to select one item from home that begins with the letter sound of the week. As with show–n-tell items, please label all letter bag items with your child’s name or send it in a Ziploc bag with a name on it. Each day we will open the “Letter Bag” and discuss the contents during circle time. Items will be returned home daily. You can chose how often your child participates in this valuable learning activity.

Headline News

Each day during circle time, the children have an opportunity to share “Headline News” with their classmates. This is a time for your child to share a special event or something that they would like to tell. For example: "I went on a bike ride this weekend," or "Today is daddy's birthday." Please help prepare your child each morning with a quick discussion about what they may like to share for Headline News.

All About Me

This is a fun activity scheduled on the calendar each week for one child at a time. The schedule includes students who are in their last year of pre-kindergarten. Each of these children has an opportunity to share special items and information about themselves. The Friday before each child's "All about me" week, he or she will bring home a green duffel bag from Pumpkin Patch. Over the weekend, please help your child select items to pack in the bag for Monday's sharing opportunity. A suggestion sheet will be included in the duffel. Your child will have an opportunity to "unpack" the bag and share his/her special items from home. All contents will be sent home on Friday of that week.

Special events

Holidays

We will explore different customs, traditions and celebrations through our learning at Pumpkin Patch. If you have any special ways of celebrating holidays, that you would like to share, your participation is greatly encouraged. Please specify details on the Parent Questionnaire.

Field Trips

Throughout the year we will schedule various field trips to correspond with the letter of the week or monthly theme, or just for fun. Field trips are an important part of the curriculum as they enhance your child's learning through an expanded experience outside the preschool setting. Parent volunteers are welcome on all excursions. We hope that you will be available to participate on occasion. The preschoolers and the elders in residence at St John’s Living Center have an ongoing activities relationship. Throughout the school year Pumpkin Patch will perform songs, deliver art work, participate in special events and deliver spring baskets.

Book Club

Families may choose to order books, videos and CD’s at great prices from Scholastic's Firefly book club. Firefly order forms will be attached to the monthly calendar and newsletter. The orders should be returned by the end of that week. A late order may be placed when the total is $15.00 or more. Please make checks payable to: Scholastic Book Clubs.