We are excited to begin our
second year of Sonshine Patch
Kindergarten for children! We include aspects and
approaches that make our kindergarten
unique and superior in quality. Our kindergarten contains EXPERIENTIAL
teaching which gets children out of their chairs and desks and INTO their
learning opportunities!

Monday-Friday 5 days/week 9:00
a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Tuition-$295.00/month
Book Fee

Experiential
curriculum
Most European languages use 2
different words for kinds of knowledge. The German words are "Kenntnis"
or "to know by experience" and "Wissenshaft" meaning "to know about
something. Children must have a rich, interactive sensory
environment-touching, smelling, seeing. hearing the real world n order
for the child's brain and mind to develop properly. Unfortunately much
of that has been sacrificed to newer, more "efficient" and test friendly
teaching. Without such real world experiences, the child's cognitive
development and the development of a lively passionate curiosity for
learning will be impaired. Kids need to experience the real world.
Our kindergarten curriculum strives to be as much "Kenntnis" as possible so
children EXPERIENCE learning.

Incorporating
Gender Differences
Dr. Leonard Sax, author of "Why Gender Matters" and executive director
of he National Association for Single Sex Public Education, spoke in
Janesville in 2007. After extensive study of his and other research,
indicating that boys and girls need to be taught differently in the
classroom to maximize each child's potential, we have adopted gender
friendly teaching techniques in our classroom. We have also developed
some of our own materials that have proven to excite both the boys and the
girls and make learning appropriate for both sexes.

Small
Class Sizes
Our class is limited to 12
students, allowing for maximum individualized instruction. Miss Jenni
Osborn is a DPI licensed teacher with her degree in Early Childhood,
Kindergarten and Elementary Education. In addition, since we do not
need to adjust our schedules to fit in specialty teachers as public schools
do, our core classes, Phonics, Reading and Math are always held in the
morning when children are freshest.

Guest
visits by the Loveable Letter Puppets!
We use Jolly Phonics and Harcourt
Brace Reading Series, as does Janesville Public School. However, our
foundation is the Christian principles that our preschool is founded on,
beginning our day with worship and prayer. Our Loveable Letter puppets
from our Getting Ready for Kindergarten class make trips down the hall to
our kindergarten class.

Love
and Logic Classroom Management Strategies
All of our teachers are trained in
Love and Logic teaching techniques, creating consistent classroom management
strategies. With this type of secure environment, children can feel
comfortable learning from mistakes. They are ten able to develop good
decision making and problem solving skills while teachers use empathy to
raise the odds of their taking responsibility for their actions. Love
and Logic parenting classes are offered at a discount to Sonshine Patch
parents.

Founded on Christian Principles & Beliefs.
Our days begin with worship and prayer
time, during which we lift up children's individual prayer requests.
As in our preschool, Christian teachings are woven within our entire
curriculum, since we want children to see Jesus as the center of every part
of their lives. However, each month we focus on one of the fruits of
the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
and self-control. Our Christian Education time includes Bible stories
from the old and new testaments about how God demonstrated these, how people
live them in their interactions with each other, and how we, as Christians,
can let those fruits grow in our individual lives. In our Social
Studies class, as we learn about people all over the world, we invite
missionaries to our classes to share first hand knowledge.

Kindergarten subjects
Reading-we
use Harcourt Brace Reading Series as well as many other developmentally
appropriate materials

Phonics-Our
Phonics curriculum is Jolly Phonics, as well as our Loveable Letter Puppet
curriculum

Mathematics-Our
math curriculum really brings everyday experiences into mathematics
learning. We opted for this program instead of the public school
curriculum becasue we believe it fits better into our philosophy of
hands-on, experiential learning.

Penmanship/Journal
Writing-Children continue learning
to print using the D'Nealian handwriting. Our Loveable Letter puppets
also show up during our creative group story writing times. Each child
has a personal journal for story recording and writing.

Christian Education-Though
Christian teachings are woven throughout our entire curriculum, our
Christian Education time will be devoted to Bible stories from the old and
new testament. Each month our stories focus on a different fruit of
the Spirit. September begins our year with "KINDNESS" as we begin our year
together. October emphasizes "SELF-CONTROL" as we learn to apply
ourselves to our studies. November demonstrates the "GOODNESS" of God
as we are thankful for His blessings and December will portray the ultimate
gift of "LOVE" in the birth of the Son of God. In January, we learn
more about the Prince of "PEACE" while February emphasizes "GENTLENESS".
As we prepare for Easter, March focuses on the "FAITHFULNESS" of our
Savior, and April brings the "JOY" of a risen Lord. In May, we learn
how God demonstrates "PATIENCE" with us as we seek to grow in His image.

Social Studies-
During our time learning about our place in God's world, we enjoy map
puzzles and games of the United States, the World and the cities of Milton
and Janesville. We begin map reading skills as we take a field trip
and map out where each child lives. As we learn about other customs in
other countries, we recall Jesus' Great Commission to "'Go into all the
world and make disciples". We enjoy visitors who have taken
mission trips to visit our class and share about those countries.

Science-Our
Science classes have a very hands on approach with lots of experiments and
discoveries. We use Macmillan Science and Kidsparkz Super Science as well as
many other materials

Music-Much
of our music is integrated into every area of our curriculum, based on
research that shows the benefits of using music as a teaching tool. In
addition, we offer enjoyment of musical instruments and ballet, such
as "The Nutcracker", "Peter and the Wolf" and "Carnival of the Animals".
Our classes include exploration and experiencing different music styles,
learning rhythm, dynamics, tempo, pitch of music by moving and experiencing
it. Most of all, we want children to ENJOY music as they move, create,
and sing..all the while developing the full potential of their minds!
Our kindergarteners especially like the song "Kiss Your Brain"!
Did you know:
Up to 90% of the brain is used when a child actively participates in music.
Math (the next highest area
uses only 76%.
Retention is increased by 50% when a movement/music component is added to
any learning experience.
Some neural pathways are only connected during musical activities and once
connected they stay connected.
Many pre-reading skills are part of music: rhyme, sequencing, pattern,
rhythm, eye-hand coordination, and crossing the midline.
Because music is a whole brain activity, it stimulates development of both
hemispheres of the brain.

Art Education-Besides
really enjoying a wide variety of art media, we learn about famous
artists such as Monet, Picasso, Matisse, Da Vinci and Rembrandt and try out
their media and techniques. One of our kindergarteners was proudly
heard to say, "This is MY Picasso!"

Physical Education-Our
physical education program includes group games, tumbling, adn individual
physical developments. The huge gymnasium at New Life is perfect for
these and other activities. We use state benchmarks for skills.

Young Spanish-Though
a separate afternoon this year, next year we will integrate our Spanish
class into the regular classroom schedule.
Top Benefits of Early
Language Learning:
Higher test scores
Better and more advanced reading skill
Greater confidence
Gives brain a boost
Greater grasp of one's first language-including a bigger, richer vocabulary
