MEXICO — In the coming weeks parents will line up in the halls of Meroby Elementary School to register their children for the prekindergarten program.
The program is for 4-year-olds and is run on a first come, first served basis.
“The program is free to families,” said teacher Sarah Rideout, who is assisted by an education technician. “It’s part of the budget of the school. We have a really great program and the kids love it.”
Each day the children arrive on the bus and spend all day working with the teachers and other students and getting to know the ropes in preparation for their first year of school to follow.
As they arrive, the children put away their coats and get ready for their morning meeting and have breakfast with their friends. They move on to their open learning segment, where they have the opportunity to do various crafts, play grocery store, dress up and play families in the small living area, or find a book on the shelf to look through.
“It’s a great time for them to be creative,” Rideout said. “They enjoy spending the time together and getting to know one another. They have their pick of activity and enjoy pretending to be shopping or cutting out crafts.”
The children have a schedule posted on the wall for all to see, and even if they don’t know how to read yet, they pay attention and know when each activity is coming to a close.
After the children clean up, they have small-group time.
“This is for us to spend individual time with children according to their level of ability,” Rideout said. “We spend time reading, writing, doing some simple math problems and getting to know our numbers and letters.”
The students always look forward to recess, after which they get to come in on the colorful rug for their literary circle, where they either participate in a reading activity or are read to.
“The goal is to read at least two books a day while they’re here,” Rideout said.
When it’s time for lunch, the students walk to another room and have a family-style lunch, separate from the other students in the school.
“We want to make sure they know how to use their utensils and we also work on manners with the students,” Rideout said.
After lunch, the students have quiet time, which may include a nap, then an afternoon snack, open learning and special time with a fourth-grader, who comes in to read with them.
“It’s a great opportunity for our older students to learn a little about volunteering. The kids love having their reading buddies come in.”
Before the end of the day, the students take part in “Handwriting without Tears.” They learn how to make little and big curves and lines with wooden cutouts.
At the end of the day, the students help clean up their work areas and then ready themselves for the bus ride home.
They also learn the Meroby Code: Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be Safe, Be Responsible.
For information call 364-3715. Applications will be available beginning April 25.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
