Fives Program
A Five’s Program
A Child’s Place Five’s Program is designed to give children the time they need to strengthen and develop important kindergarten readiness skills. The Fives Program will allow for an equal balance between academics and play. The Fives was accredited in 2022 by NAEYC as a certified Kindergarten program
Pre-reading/reading skills, phonological and phonemic awareness are developed through curriculum, supplemented with picture books, sight words, art projects, read-aloud(s) and creating our own class books. Mat Man A-Z is a program we use during literacy centers and for our mini-lessons. This literacy program seamlessly brings the ABCs to life while building foundational literacy skills. The skills of this program include phonics and reading comprehension to make for a well-rounded reader. We also incorporate “The Short Book” series into our literacy curriculum. These are books that teach children high frequency words so that they recognize them by sight.
Writers Workshop will be incorporated daily into our curriculum. This approach has been popularized by Lucy Calkins and others involved in the Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University in New York City, New York. This method of instruction focuses on the goal of fostering lifelong writers. It is based upon four principles: students will write about their own lives, they will use a consistent writing process, they will work in authentic ways, and they will develop independence as writers.
The Singapore Math Method is focused on mastery, which is achieved through the intentional sequencing of concepts. Some of the key features of the approach include the CPA (Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract) progression, number bonds, modeling, and mental math. Instead of pushing through rote memorization, students learn to think mathematically and rely on the depth of knowledge gained in previous lessons.
We use Writing Without Tears to buid and foster handwriting and fine motor. Children who master handwriting are better, more creative writers. The earlier we teach children to master handwriting, the more likely they are to succeed in school, and write with speed and ease in all subjects. We use fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate instructional methods to enable children to master handwriting as an automatic and comfortable skill.
For our science curriculum, we use Generation Genius as a part of our curriculum. Generation Genius is a K-8 teaching resource that brings school science standards to life through fun and educational videos paired with lesson plans, activities, reading material and more. The videos are produced in partnership with the National Science Teaching Association, and aligned to standards in Connecticut.
PLAY, phonological awareness, letter knowledge, writing, oral language and number sense and Pre-reading/reading skills will be incorporated throughout our day. We focus on the skills needed to build confidence both socially and academically and we give our students the tools needed to be a kind member of the community. The children will be well prepared to meet the social and academic expectations necessary for kindergarten and beyond thus creating confident learners.
The Fives Program meets Monday-Friday 8:30-2:30. An early drop off will be available at 7:30 and an extended day will be available until 4:30. A Full-Day Program will also be available from 7:30-6:00. Details on the “Program At a Glance” page.
Two parent-teacher conferences are scheduled during the fall and spring to celebrate your child. Additional conference time can easily be arranged on an as-needed basis.