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K & Pre-School: Academic Program

Preschool Curriculum Developmental Areas:
In each area, materials are available for children at all areas of development. We strive to meet the individual and corporate needs of the young child. This is their environment. The teachers will gently direct and assist the children in these activities which will provide the experience that is necessary in order to take the next step in their development.

The classroom stetting allows the child to proceed at their own pace. The child who needs a little bit more time and attention will receive that from their teacher and the child that is ready to move ahead, can do so without an atmosphere of competition or pressure. The teacher keeps records of each child's progress and sees to it that they are continually challenged but not over-whelmed. Encouraged but not pushed.

Bible
We teach Bible to give children knowledge of who God is. Relating God to our daily life is necessary for everyone, young and old alike. Young children need to form a foundation on which to base their future lives. They will be introduced to the Bible in an age appropriate and a developmental appropriate manner. They will learn and memorize Scripture each month.

Language
Children develop oral language, listening skills, vocabulary, letter recognition, rhymes, phonics, reading readiness skills, sight vocabulary, writing skills, and a positive attitude about reading and a love of learning.

Mathematics
Children learn counting, grouping, comparisons, patterns, sizes, addition, subtraction, geometric shapes, small motor skills and problem solving while working with manipulatives and many other appropriate Montessori and traditional materials.

Science
Children are able to experiment, solve problems, make decisions, develop concept about science and nature, improve language, interact socially, as well as develop sensory skills and math concepts.

Art
This area enhances creative expression in children, social skills, oral language, small motor skills, co-operative skills, imagination and concepts about size, shape, texture, and color. Art also allows children to release their feelings and can find aesthetic pleasure through art experiences.

Music and Movement
Through music and movement, children can improve auditory discrimination and auditory memory, verbal expression, motor skills, and creativity. In addition, your child learns about beat, rhythm, tempo, melody and can derive personal enjoyment.

Dramatic Play
Children learn co-operative play and social skills, while they release emotions, practice language skills and express creatively.

Life Skills
This area provides children with activities that are found in their daily routines and helps to develop independence, self-control and a sense of security as they learn to function in the world around them.

Kindergarten Curriculum Core Curriculum

Bible
Students will take a "walk through the Bible" in a chronological overview of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Focus will be on the person of Jesus, who He is and why we need Him. Students will memorize and be encouraged to apply Scripture in their daily lives. All Bible lessons will include praise and worship, games, worksheets or other creative manipulatives.

Reading
Horizon Prep's reading program consists of three main components: guided reading, whole-class reading and independent reading practice. Horizon Prep uses Rigby, Wright Group, and Orbit books for guided reading, where students are placed in a small reading group with other students of their same reading ability. During guided reading, the primary grades learn how to decode and develop comprehension strategies in fiction and non-fiction texts. Guided reading provides intermediate grade level students with the opportunity to read books at their individualized instructional level while focusing on character analysis, summarizing, personal responses, predictions, understanding plot and sequence of events.

Core Literature
Reading strategies for finding main ideas, supporting details, and analysis are furthered by reading a variety of literature within our Core Literature and/or Novel Units. Core Literature provides the students an opportunity to become familiar with quality literature classics. Novels are a critical aspect of the intermediate grades Core Literature program. Literature from a wide variety of genres is used to develop familiarity with the characteristics of good writing skills, synthesis and analysis. Each novel unit consists of students reading, taking quizzes, and extension projects for each novel.

Writing and Grammar
Kindergarten students are introduced to the fundamentals of writing during their Write Away time. The focus is on finger spacing, capital letters, punctuation, proper use of lower case letters and legibility. As the year progresses we incorporate a Writer's Workshop time into the classroom. A read aloud of quality literature is followed by a structured writing time. The students put into practice the mechanics of writing and create amazing pieces of writing. Students are encouraged to edit and publish several pieces of their own writing.

Phonics and Sight Words
Teachers provide direct instruction in phonics and sight words. It is imperative to a student's reading and writing development for students to practice, master and apply the required sight words for each grade level. Teachers provide a variety of instructional activities for students to learn their sight words.

Mathblocks
Horizon Prep's Kindergarten Math program is a hands-on, manipulative based series. Students will focus on how to read a calendar, simple math facts, numeration to 100, telling time, addition and subtraction, measurement, fractions, and money. This curriculum allows for continual review of important concepts.

Science
Lakeshore science kits stimulate a love for science by giving the students hands-on materials designed to encourage discovery in the world around them. Kindergarten science covers the following units: five senses, rocks and soil, matter, animals, plants, insects, four seasons and weather.

Elementary Special Areas

Spanish
Spanish is taught from K through 5th grade. The Spanish course includes the learning of basic vocabulary and verbs, simple phrases and an introduction to the grammatical structure of Spanish. These concepts are taught through a variety of hands-on activities, games and projects while incorporating literature, music and the Bible. The students are also exposed to the culture of the Spanish-speaking people through dialogue, presentations and personal study. Each class is prepared grade appropriately and encourages language learning in a stimulating, non-threatening environment. The number of class minutes and weekly class periods will evolve to enable older students more exposure to the conventions of the language.

Technology
The technology curriculum presents an age appropriate survey of the most important foundations of personal computing. All grade levels are exposed to: the basic components of the computer, standard computer functions (opening and closing programs, saving, etc.), typing skills, word processing, multimedia, spreadsheets, the Internet and more. The Horizon Prep Technology Lab provides both Macintosh and PC computers for student use.

For students in Kindergarten, there is a larger emphasis on the development of basic motor skills and hand eye coordination. Using some of the most popular educational software available, the students are able to enhance their skills in an academic yet entertaining manner.

Physical Education
Physical Education blends Godly character and personal effort into sportsmanship. Each child is given a positive environment to do their best as an individual and cooperatively. The building blocks to learning and elementary physical achievement are encouragement, teamwork and a safe environment. Horizon Prep uses the widely acclaimed Sparks (Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids) curriculum, developed by San Diego State University.

Kindergarten Physical Education classes are based on a developmental program that emphasizes locomotor, non-locomotor, body management, manipulative and rhythmic movement skills. Basic skills are used and simulated in game like activities. Here children learn how to work and play with others.

Art
Horizon Prep is proud to be a part of the "Meet the Masters" art program. "Meet the Masters" is a Classical approach to learning art which begins with a multi media assembly where the children learn about the fascinating lives and famous works of the Master Artists. Once the children have made a true connection to the artist, they are then introduced to the techniques which made the art revolutionary. After learning the inspiration and techniques the students are led through a step-by-step journey through the art project. Students will be learning about the lives and art of Vincent Van Gogh, Mary Cassatt, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and Winslow Homer. They will be looking carefully into the techniques of texture, portraits, balance, composition, color and value.

Music
The music program has many fun aspects to it. The curriculum includes listening to classical music from composers like Mozart, Beethoven and Vivaldi, modern praise music from Third Day and Paul Coleman, and even Gregorian chants. We will be using church hymnals and singing traditional praise music, learning to read and understand all the dots, lines, and drawings that make up a page of beautiful music. Students also get a hands-on approach to play instruments like drums, tambourines, recorders, xylophones, and learn some basic keyboard songs. There is a Musical Production that is produced two times a year for performances in December and May.

Homework and Student Assessment
Homework is an integral part of the learning process, thus each teacher assigns homework to assist students in their studies. Each student is required to complete homework assignments on time. Late assignments may receive partial or no credit. Homework is given for several reasons: reinforcement, practice, remedial activity, experience with special projects and to help students develop good study habits. Parents' full cooperation is expected in seeing that assignments are completed. Parental supervision and involvement in the homework process also allows for a better understanding of what and how their children are learning. However, work and projects should reflect the student's own efforts. Failure to complete homework on a consistent basis will affect the student's grade and result in disciplinary action as well as possible academic probation.

In order to encourage families to attend our mid-week worship service, a reduced amount of homework is given on Wednesdays. For the sake of safeguarding family time, please note the following guidelines for appropriate and diligent completion of homework. The minutes spent nightly on homework are approximations, and we understand that different children work at different speeds. However, if on a regular basis the time it takes your child to diligently complete their homework differs significantly from the times indicated below, it is important to make an appointment to discuss this with your child's teacher.

Kindergarten, expect: 15-30 minutes nightly including nightly reading

Nightly Reading
Horizon Prep requires that students in Kindergarten spend 15 minutes each night reading quality literature or being read to.

Special Projects
Special projects will occasionally require more than the regular homework time. Parents are strongly urged to support these exceptions. Sufficient notice will be given for parents and students to schedule extra time for such projects.

Make-Up Work
Students who are absent are required to make up any assignments and/or tests that were missed during their absence. Students will have one day to make up work for each day missed. Failure to make-up missing homework in a timely fashion will negatively impact student success. Make-up work is the responsibility of students and parents.
Assessment

Assessment Testing
Reading, writing, spelling and math assessment testing of Horizon Prep students is scheduled in every grade (K-8th), four times a year. The purpose of this testing is to measure the student's comprehension and understanding of the required grade standards. All scheduled assessment-testing dates are posted on the school calendar. Horizon Prep strongly urges parents to ensure that students not be absent on days when assessment testing is scheduled.

Diagnostic Screening
All new students applying to Horizon Prep for grades two through eight will be given the ITBS Survey Battery to confirm their readiness and to determine potential strengths and weaknesses. Students applying in first grade will be given alternative, appropriate testing developed by Horizon Prep curriculum specialists.

Academic Probation
Students who are below or are at risk of falling below academic standards in any or all subjects may be placed on an "at watch" list, where an educational team of teachers, administrators and parents will closely monitor the academic progress of a student. When a student is placed on academic probation communication and monitoring may consist of student observations, parent conferences, weekly progress reports, and written documentation. Students who are placed on academic probation may be at risk for retention.

Retention
Students who are below academic grade level standards may be at risk for retention. Students must meet all grade level standards set by the state of California and Horizon Prep in order to be promoted to the next grade level. If a student does not meet these standards, parents will be contacted to discuss details of retention.

Horizon Prep is committed to keeping both parents and students informed on academic progress throughout the year. In order to best communicate a student's academic progress Horizon Prep will issue the following official reporting tools to parents: two progress reports and two report cards. Horizon Prep will also schedule at least one official parent-teacher conference in the fall. Parents are responsible for requesting additional progress reports and or conferences with their child's teacher.

Reporting Periods
Kindergarten:

• October: = Quarter I Progress Reports issued
• December = Semester I Report Cards issued and Parent-Teacher Conferences
• March = Quarter III Progress Reports issued and Optional Parent Conferences
• June = Semester II Report Cards issued (mailed home, parent keeps for their records)

Preschool

• December = Parent-Teacher Conference, Progress Report issues
• June = Final Progress Report issued.

Parent-Teacher Conferences
Kindergarten:
These 15 to 30 minute conferences are an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss each student's progress and concerns. Other conferences can held throughout the school year and may be scheduled as needed to address any areas of concern.
Preschool:
These 20 minute conferences are an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss each student's progress and concerns. Other conferences can be held through out the school year and may be scheduled as needed to address any areas of concern by either the parent or teacher

Progress Reports
Kindergarten:
Official progress reports are issued at the end of the first and third quarters. If a student is on academic probation and/or is struggling with an academic area weekly progress reports may be given decided both on the teacher and the parent.
Preschool:
Official progress reports are issued twice a year in preschool. The first is issued in December, during the parent teacher conferences. The second is issued on the last day of school in June. These reports are a report of the progress of the student from the time that they enter our preschool until the time that they leave our program. If a child is in our preschool/pre-K program for 1,2,or 3 years, they will get a final progress report at the end of their enrollment in our program.

Report Cards
Kindergarten:
Report cards are issued at the end of the first and second semesters. Pluses and minuses may be used for grades. Report cards will be mailed home. Semester I report cards will be discussed, reviewed, signed by parents at a scheduled Parent-Teacher conference. Semester II report cards will be mailed home for parents to keep.
Preschool:
Report cards are not issued in our Preschool/Pre-k program, progress reports only.