Curriculum

Just For Kids curriculum is based upon weekly thematic units and enhanced by a literature-based curriculum that encourages children to read for pleasure and knowledge.  The curriculum presented to the children compliments their academic goals while also developing their social, emotional, and communication skills.

Our curriculum includes age-appropriate activities that address the following content areas:
  • Literacy
  • Physical Education
  • Music/Drama
  • Art
  • Math/Science
  • Social Skills
  • Small/Large Motor Skills
  • Weekly Themes
  • Homework assistance
  • Field trips and guest presenters throughout the summer that compliment curriculum themes
Lesson plans consist of four components:
  1. Circle Time/Large Group Time
  2. Activity Centers – theme related activities or projects; construction, arts/crafts/writing center activities; listening center activities; computers
  3. Shared read aloud by an adult twice a day
  4. Outside time – including planned large or small group games
WHAT ARE ACTIVITY/LEARNING CENTERS?

Learning Centers are dedicated spaces in the classroom that are designed to support activities with specific materials.  Centers in the classroom are busy places.  These distinct areas are designed to stimulate and hold the children’s interest.  During this time, children work in three or four areas of the room at specific centers.  Children can be working alone, with a partner, or in small groups.

The teacher may be walking around the room observing, monitoring, adjusting, and/or evaluating by asking questions and making anecdotal notes.  He/she is actively involved in the learning process.  The room is not chaotic, and it is not quiet.  There is a BUZZ and a HUM.  That is the sound of children learning.

School-age children are able to work independently in a variety of activity centers without teacher direction.  Successful activity centers are thus designed to encourage children to explore and discover new ideas on their own or with their peers with little or no assistance from an adult.  Teachers or older students may monitor and help when needed at centers.

Centers can be highly structured or they can be as open as putting together a jigsaw puzzle.  Ultimately, centers that are exciting, challenging, and interesting are the most successful.  The goal of a successful activity center is to provide opportunities for children to work individually, to be responsible for completing assignments on their own, and to make choices.