WELCOME TO ST. JAMES LUTHERAN SCHOOL’S

PRESCHOOL 3S AND PRE-KINDERGARTEN

GETTING TO KNOW THE PRESCHOOL 3S AND PRE-K TEACHER

Hello!  My name is Brenda Arden.  I am the Preschool 3s and Pre-Kindergarten teacher at St. James Lutheran School.  I graduated from Concordia University in Seward, NE, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.  I have a concentration in early childhood and a minor in mathematics.  I am licensed in the state of Indiana to teach K-6 and have a specialty license in Pre-Kindergarten.  I am a native of Nebraska and have lived in Lafayette for six years.

 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY

Jesus expressed His love and care for children in Mark 10:14-16:  “Let the children come to me . . . then He took the Children in His arms . . . and blessed them.”  Young children are unique creations of God who bring various experiences to their first years in school.  In order to best meet the needs of the young children enrolled in the early childhood program at St. James Lutheran School, the program’s staff will endeavor to do the following:

             1. Provide a Christ-centered curriculum where children will daily learn about Jesus and His love;

            2. Create a safe and secure environment in which young children will experience enjoyment and success as activities are planned that match the ages of the children and individual levels of development;

            3. Develop the children’s independence and ability to think for themselves while instilling a strong foundation for living in this world as contributors to society using their abilities and God’s gifts to the fullest;

            4. Nurture the development of the whole child in order that each child might develop his/her full potential spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally, and creatively;

            5. Provide children with the opportunity to create, explore, and discover in their own individual way;

            6. Affirm the importance of play as children’s work and the wonders of socialization that occurs in the environment of young children;

            7. Recognize each child for his/her unique qualities and foster healthy self-esteem so that each child might become all that God created him to be!

 CURRICULUM

The Preschool 3s and Pre-Kindergarten sessions are divided into the different areas of the whole child.  Developmentally appropriate activities are the foundation of the curriculum.  Your child will experience the following:

• Free Play
• Hands-on Learning Centers developed through the use of subject and literature based themes (several small group activities occurring simultaneously)

* Art

                        * Math

                        * Science

                        * Language Arts

                        * Large and Fine Motor Activities

• Circle Time:  Large Group Discussions and activities based on the weekly theme
• 
  

   

  Jesus Time

• Music Time
• Outdoor/Indoor Large Motor Play
• Snack Time
• Share Time
• Story Time
• Library
• Computers for Pre-K Only

OTHER EXCITING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

v    Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Lamb’s Choir which sings for a few church services each school year and participates in the Christmas worship service

v    Pre-Kindergarten through 1^st grade Early Childhood Chapel:  Chapel services are held weekly for both morning and afternoon classes.  Children are able to worship and praise their Lord and Savior in a developmentally appropriate worship service.

v    Field trips for Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten will be quality trips and related to a theme being explored in class.

WORKING TOGETHER AS PARTNERS

Each child is a unique and special gift from God.  If we work together as partners, we can share information with each other that can help your child develop to his/her fullest potential.  I am here to serve you and your family.  I like to think of the children in my classroom as a family.  We work together every day to explore the world that we live in and to thank the Lord who created the world.  I look forward to working with you as partners in your child’s education.  If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at school or home.  May God continue to strengthen and guide you as parents of His precious gifts.

In His Hands,

 Brenda Arden

He gathers the lambs in His arms

And carries them close to

His heart.  Isaiah 40:11