Pre-Kindergarten | 3 & 4 year olds

Ave Maria Academy is unparalleled in early childhood education. We offer Preschool for children ages 3 and 4, and Pre-Kindergarten for children ages 4 and 5. Our Pre-K programs offer half-day, full-day, 2-, 3- and 5-day-a-week options. Our program is hands on, as that is how young children learn best — they learn by using their hands and their bodies and then transferring that knowledge and those skills onto paper.

All Pre-K applicants must be age three for the Preschool Class, or four for the Pre-Kindergarten Class on or before September 1. All Pre-K applicants must be toilet-trained to be admitted to the program.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM

Art

The students do a variety of art projects through out the week. Some are process oriented and others are project (or theme) oriented.

Geography

The students will develop an understanding of the world in spatial terms, characteristics of places and regions, earth’s physical systems and the environment and society.

History

We begin with chronological thinking by understanding calendar time in days, weeks and months. Understanding history is the story of events, people, and places in the past. The students will develop an understanding of historical perspectives and beginner research skills.

Language Arts

We begin using our Saxon Phonics & Spelling program modified for the Pre-K student. The students work on listening, viewing and speaking. We begin reading and writing strategies. This includes coloring skills, fine motor skills, identifying the alphabet and sounds.

Mathematics

The students are introduced to Saxon Math. Mathematical reasoning, numbers and number sense, measurement, patterns and data analysis are all studied. The Pre-K4 students begin kindergarten level math.

Religion

Faith: Students experience a Catholic approach that stresses the dignity of each individual as a person made in the image of God. We emphasize two key truths of the faith: God and creation. We learn that Jesus came to show us who we are and how we are to act. Jesus is our model. We help children understand our human ability to Sin and that through the Death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we receive Grace. We also adore Mary Mother of God and learn how special she is to us.

Liturgical Year: Students are introduced to Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter. During Advent we focus on the preparation, anticipation and hope for the birth of Jesus Christ. During the Christmas season we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and Epiphany. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. During Lent, we talk about penance but focus on charitable acts of kindness. We dedicate three days to remember Jesus during Holy Week. We experience the Lords supper, Washing of the feet, and waiting for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. During Easter we are filled with joy knowing that Jesus resurrected and is now in heaven.

Prayer: Prayer is incorporated throughout the day and reverence is stressed. Students understand that prayer is a special way that we talk to God. Students learn the Sign of the Cross and recite a morning and afternoon prayer. We also teach Grace, the Glory Be and the Hail Mary prayer.

Virtues in Practice: Every month, students are introduced to a new virtue. We learn that when we practice virtue, it becomes a habit bringing us closer to Jesus Christ. Families help their student practice the Virtue throughout the month. Virtues include: Faith, Reverence, Stewardship, Generosity, Honesty, Mercy, Justice and Zeal.

Science

Students will understand the fundamental concepts, principles, and interconnections of Earth, Life and Physical Science. Identifying the five senses, changes in the sky, observation, living vs. non-living things and energy, force and motion are all introduced.

SPECIALTIES

Music

Our music curriculum is based on the Kodaly method, which seeks to teach music to children in a system which mirrors their natural learning process; each new element or concept introduced is one that progresses naturally from an element or concept already learned and internalized. The main instrument used is the voice; and, at the lower grade levels, the main repertoire used is American folk song, including children’s game songs and rhymes. This method seeks to engage the student’s mind and creativity as it teaches the skills needed for a lifetime of joyful music making.

At the pre-kindergarten level, students are introduced to the basic elements of music such as beat, rhythm, and pitch through vocal exploration applied in song, poetry, and games.

Spanish

Our Spanish class focuses on learning in a very dynamic style, creating an active learning environment with fun games, music and oral activities, encouraging active participation from the children. The children are exposed to various Hispanic cultures, particularly Argentinian culture. They will learn simple Spanish greetings, colors, numbers 1-12, shapes, days and months. They will also learn to respond to basic commands.