Hortonville Area School District 4K Curriculum Update
The Hortonville Area School District continues to offer 4K at various community sites throughout Greenville and Hortonville to give young children learning opportunities prior to 5K/Kindergarten. The 4K ‘Creative Curriculum’, which is aligned with WMELS (Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards), is based on five fundamental principles:
-
Positive interactions and relationships with adults provide a critical foundation for successful learning
-
Social-emotional competence is a significant factor in school success
-
Constructive, purposeful play supports essential learning
-
The physical environment affects the type and quality of learning interactions
-
Teacher-Family partnerships promote development and learning
These principles help guide our 4K practices and understanding of why it is important to set up and operate the preschool program in particular ways. Children who are enrolled in the 4K program can begin to develop various skills at an early age. These skills include social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive, literacy, and can begin a basic understanding of math, science, social studies, and the arts.
Parents and teachers alike view the 4K curriculum as a positive and beneficial program for young learners. One kindergarten teacher commented:
“After 11 years of teaching kindergarten, I sensed an overall readiness in the way students came to school ready to learn. They line up and transition more smoothly, have sharing and group behavior skills more intact, they have an eagerness to learn and know their purpose for being at school. It is truly apparent that my students have had “school” experiences prior to 5K (kindergarten).”
Student overall readiness is also apparent from assessment scores as students are coming in able to write their name, they have a solid foundation of letter/sound knowledge, and are able to read and write many sight words.
Research done by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) confirms these findings as well. For example, national research shows that low income children with quality preschool achieve greater success during school years; students achieve higher reading and math test scores at ages 8, 12, and 15, and there are higher rates of high school graduation. Research also shows that a quality preschool experience, regardless of family income, is beneficial because children make progress during the pre-kindergarten year in language, literacy and numeracy, and teachers report improved social skills.
Help your young learner get a jump-start in their education, and enroll them in the HASD’s 4K program. Enrollment for the 2013-14 school year will take place on March 5th, 2013 at Greenville Elementary School from 7:30am-3:30pm, and on March 6th, 2013 at Hortonville Elementary School from 7:30am-3:30pm. To get more information on the 4K program and registration details, visit the 4K-5K Information site.
|