Our Classes
Registration for the 2023-2024 is still open for returning and new families.
Fill out our online at: https://www.jovial.org/bensonhill/hello
Due to COVID-19, classes and schedules may change through out the school year.
The Hummingbirds Class (1 year) meets one day per week* for socialization, enrichment and fun! Our morning begins with a short circle time of singing, rhymes, movement and stories. Free exploration follows with various stations including art, sensory table, play dough, light table, block building, easel and snack. Toddlers also enjoy an outside time daily on our toddler playground. At these ages, children need ample time to explore and discover the world around them. We honor that need and create a nurturing environment for them to thrive.*Parents are required to be in the classroom
The Sparrows Class (2 years) meets two times per week* for socialization, enrichment and fun! Our morning begins with a short circle time of singing, rhymes, movement and stories. Free exploration follows with various stations including art, sensory table, play dough, light table, block building, easel and snack. On most days we play outside for large motor development, but have large indoor option if needed. At these ages, children need ample time to explore and discover the world around them. We honor that need and create a nurturing environment for them to thrive. *Parents are required to be in the classroom
The Owls Class (3 years) offers daily activities that encourage play and learning in a safe environment. Children learn best through play and our day is centered around fun activities that the children learn from (even though they don't know they're learning!). We start each day with a circle time that includes reading a book, singing songs and talking about the activity choices for the day. The children are then free to explore the activity centers which include art, free choice design art, playdough, writing, puzzles, drama, blocks, snack and games. During this time, the children learn to interact with others in a positive environment and learn what it means to work together. Then it's time to head outside to exercise our bodies with swings, sandbox and sensory garden. Parents can choose to stay both days, or work in the classroom one day while having the second day free to run errands, get work done, or just relax!
We also attend field trips throughout the year including:
-pumpkin patch
-train trip
-musical theater
The Eagles Class (Pre-K/4 years) allows time for both child-directed and teacher-directed activities. Eagles will have an opportunity to explore STEAM activities and the creative process while they develop social skills and independence needed to be successful in kindergarten. Our students are also given the chance to help in the classroom by being assigned a new "job" daily, such as line leader, song chooser, or calendar helper. Parents are scheduled to work in the classroom one day per week and are welcome to stay more often as their child adjusts to independence.
A typical day in the Eagles class would include the following:
Circle Time: Learn about the activities for the day and introduce the current theme in the classroom
Free Choice: Explore the thematic stations within our three rooms
Outside Play: Play in the sandbox, play structure or swings.
We explore our playground daily, rain or shine!
Closing Circle: Finish up with some music and dancing
Learning outside the classroom is also a part of the Eagles curriculum,
which includes monthly field trips in our community such as:
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fire station
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hardware store
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grocery store
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dentist
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children's plays
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farm
Eagles/Owls 5 Day (Pre-K/4 years) Children in our Eagles class have the opportunity to also join Owls. This gives the older kids the opportunity to be leaders and extend their days to 5 days a week. Parents are required to work in the classroom 2 days a week.
After School STEAM Class for Pre-K! (Returning in 2024-2025)
The Explorers Group is an all new bonus STEAM program being offered! It allows extended time for participating members of the Eagles class to continue classroom activities and take learning to a deeper level. This extra time beyond the regular Eagles class schedule starts with additional social time at the lunch table, which also allows students to practice crucial lunchtime skills needed for Kindergarten (eating on a schedule, opening baggies, containers, twisting tops, etc.). After fueling up, these Explorers will dive into student-led emergent curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering, art, and math. 10 Eagles students will stay after regular class time for this additional hour as part of the Explorers class. The Explorers Group will meet from October through April.
