Bright Beginnings Curriculum

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What Will My Child Learn At Bright Beginnings?

The curriculum for Bright Beginnings at SHCC was developed from a set of standards issued by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. These standards include Physical Development, Language, Math, Social Emotional Development, and Science. We have worked cooperatively with the administration at Esther Elementary to model our academic goals and objectives after their preschool curriculum. Bright Beginnings students will enter Kindergarten at Esther with the tools needed to be successful.

Our curriculum also includes a standard on Spiritual Developement. This standard was developed by the Bright Beginnings at SHCC staff, based on the book Teaching on Target by Dr. Robert Choun and Jane Wilson Choun.

Below you will find a description of each standard. Each description includes Goals, Objectives and Examples that will be used to teach each standard.

Physical Development

Goals	Objectives	Examples
1. Uses gross motor skills with purpose and coordination.	a. Moves from one point to another.b. Controls body movements.c. Uses large muscle movements to manipulate objects.	Jump; gallop, balance/hop on one foot; throws, kicks, and catches a ball; rides wheeled toy with pedals
2. Uses fine motor skills with purpose and control.	a. Performs fine motor tasks.b. Uses fingers and hands to accomplish fine motor tasks.c. Uses tools in a functional manner.d. Exhibits coordination of facial muscles.	Squeezes glue bottle; works with playdough; buttons; zips; snaps; strings beads; sorts small objects; uses scissors; holds pencil; blows bubbles; imitates facial expressions
3. Responds to sensory input to function in the environment.	a. Exhibits sensory awareness.b. Exhibits body awareness.	Uses the five senses to identify objects; names body parts
4. Practices healthy behaviors.	a. Shows independence in personal hygiene.b. Chooses to participate in daily physical activity.c. Exhibits body strength and endurance.	Washes and dries hands; joins in indoor and outdoor games; climbs ladder
5. Practices safe behaviors.	a. Listens to and follows emergency directions.b. Follows vehicle, street, and public safety.c. Recognizes personal danger.d. Seeks help when needed.	Uses seatbelt, crosses street with an adult; stays away from dangerous objects/substances; knows how and when to call 911

Language

Goals	Objectives	Examples
1. Applies early reading skills.	a. Shows interest in reading and books.b. Exhibits book handling skills.c. Pretends to read.d. Responds to text.e. Reads environmental print and symbols.f. Identifies some letters of alphabet.g. Recognizes that print represents spoken words.h. Develops a sense of story.	Enjoys books; holds book upright and turns pages correctly; makes predictions; identifies some letters; recognizes name; knows letters make words; retells stories; recognizes stories have beginning, middle and end
2. Attends to sounds in language.	a. Repeats rhymes, songs, poems, and finger playsb. Participates in word gamesc. Discriminates some sounds in words	Knows nursery rhymes; claps syllables; plays rhyming games; knows differences between sounds; knows beginning sounds
3. Uses writing as a means of communication.	a. Experiments with writing tools and materials.b. Uses scribbles, shapes, pictures, and letters to write.c. Explains drawings and writings.d. Uses a variety of resources for writing.	Uses a variety of writing implements; attempts to write for a variety of purposes; copies letters from environment
4. Listens attentively for different purposes.	a. Follows simple directions.b. Listen responsively to books and stories.c. Listens to and engages in conversations with others.d. Responds to questions.	Responds to stories verbally and with body gestures;

Language (continued)

5. Communicates ideas, feelings, questions, or to solve problems.	a. Communicates in home language and is understood by others.b. Uses language to pretend or create.c. Initiates and responds appropriately in conversation and discussions with adults and children.d. Uses complete sentences varying length.	Makes up rhymes or songs; tells make believe stories; asks questions; shows empathy; uses descriptive language; experiments with and acquires new vocabulary
6. Represents feelings and ideas in a variety of ways.	a. Represents feelings and ideas through pretend play.b. Represents feelings and ideas through movements/music/art.	Participates in pretend play with others; creates music and songs; builds with blocks

Math

Goals	Objectives	Examples
1. Uses language to represent number of objects.	a. Compares number of objects.b. Combines and names how many.c. Separates and names how many.d. Explores everyday fractions.	More, less, greater, fewer, same; meaningful counting; counts backwards; uses simple addition and subtraction; recognizes whole and half
2. Explores shapes in the environment.	Recognizes shapes in surroundings.	Circle, square, triangle, rectangle, oval, diamond
3. Uses number to show quantity.	a. Shows interest in counting and quantity.b. Develops an increasing ability to rote count in sequence.c. Counts objects with understanding.	Counts objects; counts 1-10 or beyond
4. Solves problems using numbers.	a. Names how many there are in a group up to five objects without counting.b. Uses one-to-one correspondence when counting objects. c. Uses one-to-one correspondence to compare the size of a group of objects.d. Estimates, then counts to verify the number of objects.	Rolls dice and tells how many without counting; counts five or more blocks saying the number with each block; guesses how many cups it will take to fill a bucket

Math (continued)

5. Uses numerical representations.	a. Uses drawings to represent number.b. Identifies numerals in everyday situations.c. Uses ordinal numbers (first, second, last).d. Writes some numerals.e. Matches numeral with quantity.	Can keep score during a game; selects numbers on phone, calculator, computer, or books/signs; identify positions of objects; write how old he/she is; knows telephone number; correctly counts spaces on game board
6. Investigates positions and locations.	a. Takes objects apart and puts them together.b. Uses actions and words to indicate position and location.c. Uses actions and words to indicate movement and orientation.	Builds with blocks; completes puzzles; tell positions of objects; describes how to get to a location using landmarks
7. Recognizes relationships in the environment.	a. Matches, sorts, and regroups objects according to one or more characteristics.b. Orders things according to relative differences.	Sorts objects into categories; sorts from smallest to largest; arranges objects based on size
8. Uses patterns in the environment.	a. Recognizes patterns.b. Duplicates and extends patterns.c. Creates patterns.	Identifies and imitates patterns

Math (continued)

9. Makes comparisons.	a. Compares objects using measurable featuresb. Describes measurement.c. Orders three or more objects according to length or size differences.d. Uses language associated with time in everyday situations.e. Anticipates, remembers and predicts a sequence of events.	Knows opposites; puts objects in longer and shorter order; understands time of day; describe sequence of daily schedule; tells events of stories in order
10. Explores measurements.	a. Explores ways to measure.b. Measures using objects.	Uses simple forms of measurements; knows appropriate tools for measurement
11. Collects, organizes, and uses information.	a. Asks questions to gather information.b. Sorts and classifies objects into groups and sometimes explains how the grouping was done.c. Evaluate information to answer questions.	Asks questions; explains how objects were sorted; gathers information from charts

Social Emotional Development

Goals	Objectives	Examples
1. Exhibits self-awareness.	a. Shows respect for self.b. Develops personal preferences.c. Knows personal information.	Stands up for self; uses self-help skills (like washing hand); makes choices based on likes and dislikes; knows first and last names, parents’ names, and address
2. Develops self-control.	a. Follows simple rules.b. Accepts transitions and follows daily routines.c. Expresses feelings through appropriate gestures, actions, and language.d. Adapts to different environments	Follows rules in different settings
3. Develops personal responsibility.	a. Cares for personal and group possessions.b. Begins to accept the consequences for his or her actions.	Helps clean up after activities
4. Builds relationships and works cooperatively with others.	a. Respects the rights of others.b. Respects adult leadership.c. Seeks comfort and security from loved ones.d. Develops friendships.e. Uses courteous words and actions.f. Respects similarities and differences among people.	Treats others with respect

Social Emotional Development (continued)

5. Participates, shows confidence, and takes initiative in solving problems.

a. Initiates interactions with others.b. Makes decisions independently.c. Develops independence during activities, routines, and play.d. Expresses his or her own ideas and opinions.e. Views self as competent and has a positive self-image.f. Sustains attention to task or activity for his age.g. Pursues challenges.h. Copes with frustration.i. Recognizes problems.j. Tries to solve problems.k. Works with others to solve problems.

Plays and talks with others; shares ideas; problem solves

Science

Goals	Objectives	Examples
1. Represent observations in a variety of ways about physical, life, and earth/space science.	a. Represents observations through pretend play.b. Represent observations through music and movement.c. Represent observations through art and construction.d. Talks about the physical world.	Pretends to prepare/cook food; sings action songs; intentionally mixes paint to make different colors; asks questions about how things work
2. Explore properties and/or characteristics of physical, life, and earth/space science.	a. Shows interest in plant and animal changes.b. Uses one or more senses to observe the natural world.	Describes life cycle of different plants and animals; describes natural world using five senses
3. Solve problems involving or related to physical, life, and earth/space science.	a. Identifies problems involving physical properties of objects and materials.b. Experiments with objects to produce desired effects.c. Makes predictions based on experiences with objects and materials.	Moves ramp to make toy car go a different direction; throw ball at a target; conducts sink or float experiment; learns about magnets

Spiritual Development

Goals	Objectives	Examples
1. Recognizes and develops a relationship with God.	a. Believes God is love.b. Identifies God made the whole world and everything in it.c. Explains how God made each of us special.d. Knows that God is everywhere and knows everything.e. Recognizes that God loves, blesses, and cares for each of us.f. Identifies that God can be trusted.	Memorizes Bible verses; praises God through singing; telling Bible stories; pointing out things in nature that God made
2. Recognizes and develops a relationship with Jesus.	a. Believes Jesus is the Son of God.b. Knows Jesus loves each of us.c. Develops a friendship with Jesus.d. Recognizes Jesus is always with us, watching over us. e. Recognizes Jesus is real.f. Communicates Jesus was born, grew up, helped people, died, and came back to life.	Explain the real meaning of Christmas and Easter; sings songs about Jesus; memorizes Bible verses

Spiritual Development (continued)

3. Exhibits knowledge of the Bible.	a. Explains that the Bible is the true word of God. b. Understands that the Bible is a special and important book.c. Communicates that the Bible is a book with true stories about God and Jesus. d. Names commands from the Bible.1. Love the Lord with all your heart.2. Love one another.3. Share with each other.4. Obey your parents.5. Go to church.6. Be kind.e. Knows and displays characteristics of the Fruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, self-control, faithfulness, and kindness.	Tells stories from the Bible; uses motions, songs and finger plays to tell others about the Bible; displays knowledge of the differences between good choices/bad choices; shows respect to others; shares and takes turns while playing with peers
4. Communicates with God through prayer.	a. Distinguishes between prayers and wishes.b. Understands the importance of talking to God.c. Understands each of us can talk to God about anything.d. Knows that God listens and cares.	Prays to God at mealtime, bedtime, and spontaneously throughout the day; talks to God about problems and concerns