Lemon Tree Mission Statement

Introduction:

The Lemon Tree Preschool uses thematic units as the primary philosophy in the development of curriculum. This thematic unit philosophy is implemented in a comfortable, and inviting environment with a low student / teacher ratio. The thematic unit approach uses the concept of a “unit” for each preschool week. These units focus the classroom activities on many different topics, ranging from the ocean to community helpers.

Curriculum Philosophy:

The Developmentally Appropriate Approach:

The Lemon Tree Preschool uses a developmentally appropriate approach to preschool education. This approach consists of three major principles.

Gross motor activities include interactive games, dancing and outdoor play. Fine motor activities include practical life skills (buttons, zippers, etc.), pouring, beading and puzzle assembly activities.

The Lemon Tree Preschool emphasizes age appropriate subject matter in the curriculum development. The Lemon Tree teaches children about speech and the written word. The curriculum at the Lemon Tree also includes exposing children to the world around them including nature, their community, and the roles of community helpers.

Children attending the Lemon Tree learn individual and group problem solving skills and the ability to think critically.

Creative Curriculum:

The Lemon Tree Preschool implements a curriculum called The Creative Curriculum.

Social, Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Education:

The Lemon Tree Preschool emphasizes the child’s social development through the use of cooperation, sharing and group speaking. Physical development is fostered through the use of group movement (dancing), outdoor play on the playground and helping the teacher with classroom clean-up tasks. Emotional needs and skills are acquired as the child develops peer and teacher bonds and friendships. These friendships also help with the transition through child / parent separation. Children are encouraged to use developmentally appropriate social expression in the classroom environment. Cognitive development is provided by giving children tasks and projects which foster mental stimulation. These include puzzle solving, construction / building projects and critical thinking / logic problems.

Implementation of Philosophy:

The Lemon Tree Preschool uses the concept of interest areas in its implemetation of thematic units and developmentally appropriate curriculum. These interest areas provide children with access to stimuli which focus on fundamental preschool concepts. The interest areas include:

• Art – The art area includes painting, collage, and unit specific art projects.
• Dramatic Play – This interest area provides costumes and activites to allow the child to participate in roll playing and dress-up.
• Manipulatives – Dexterity and motor skills are enhanced through the use of beads, building blocks and other tools.
• Language – Children participate in class-wide activities such as “Sounds of the Week” in addition to name tracing and letter tracing activities.
• Math – Preschool math activities include matching and recognitiion.
• Blocks - Children show balance while moving diferent shapes and sizes of blocks. They control small muscles in hands, and coordinate using hand-eye movement.
• Library - The library consists of a loft with pillows and a variety of book selections. This is a quiet area where children can relax with a book or have a book read to them by a teacher.
• Discovery - Children can use their senses to touch, feel, taste, smell, and see. They can act on objects and observe what happens next.
• Sand and Water - This interest area involves sensory experiences that appeal to young children. Different materials may be added such as dirt or snow.
• Music and Movement - Through movement activites they can improve large muscle skills, balance, and coordination. They strengthen small muscles skills as they learn finger plays and play musical intruments.
• Cooking - A natural laboratory for helping children develop and learn. They learn how food is prepared and how it contributes to their health and well-being.
• Outdoors - An essential for children's health and learning. The Lemon Tree has outdoor play everyday for gross motor activity and enjoying fresh air.

One of the major components of the Lemon Tree curriculum is circle time. This is a daily activity which starts the class and brings the children together in a group environment. Circle time focuses on the days activities and includes a welcome song, calendar discussion and games, songs, and discussion topics pertaining to the weeks thematic unit.

Field trips are occasionally incorporated as part of a thematic unit. These field trips bring all of the preschool classes together and include parent participation. Past field trips include trips to the Alaska Zoo, the Jewel Lake Fire Station, a visit to a local recording studio and a custom auto body shop.

Lemon Tree Student Goals:

Parents sending their child(ren) to the Lemon Tree Preschool can expect their child to achieve greater success in an elementary school setting. The classroom setting at the Lemon Tree fosters self-expression and builds the child's confidence for the transition to Kindergarten. In addition to classroom success, children attending the Lemon Tree will build and maintain friendships more easily than if they didn’t attend preschool. Cognitively, Lemon Tree Preschool students acquire the ability to develop independent, new ideas and approach complex problems with confidence.

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