God's Garden Home School
Pre-K - 8th grade
Preschool Curriculum & Activities
Our half-day morning Pre-Kindergarten program runs from 8:30 am to 11:30 am Monday through Thursday, though you are welcome to drop your child off as early as 7:15 am on your way to work. Our school time routine is as follows (times are approximate, as not every day with young people goes exactly according to plan!):
7:30 am - Breakfast & free play
8:30 am - "Rug Time" includes: calendar, weather, story from the Alphabet curriculum
- group games relating to the story
- story number 2
9:15 am - "Table Time" - PreK language arts, crafts, art etc
9:45 am - Story number 3 & Math Manipulatives/activity
10:30 am - Outside FREE Play & social time
11:30 am - Parent Pick Up
Our daily lessons are presented in a variety of ways including, but not limited to: lots of books, music, finger plays, creative dramatics, stories, fitness and movement, arts and craft activities with a variety of materials. These activities include all children from 2 & 1/2 years old through Kindergarten. All lessons are adaptable for each child’s individual level so no one is left out and everyone is able to learn and have fun and be a part of our group!
All of our lessons are Christian based, while incorporating preschool and Kindergarten readiness skills with a strong emphasis in early literacy. I believe, once they can read well, they can do anything. I also do counting and some basics like shapes and colors. We teach children how God and His love are active in our everyday world.
Private/Home School
GG is also a certified private school with the Kansas State Board of Education for Kindergarten through 12th grade. We offer a similar Christian curriculum for school age students as for the preschoolers, just adding more in-depth work and deeper learning according to each student's ability.
Most of the core work for older students is done during the afternoon hours, Monday through Thursday. The main areas of study are: Bible, History/Social Studies, Math, Foreign Language and Literature. Older students also get a lot of real-life practice with house chores, helping with meals, and helping with the preschoolers.
We will work alongside the preschoolers for some subjects, with more in-depth work for older students.
Homeschoolers also get the opportunity to be a part of Enrichment Classes. Three Fridays a month, they meet their peers in a classroom setting and receive instruction on special areas of study from experienced teachers in the fields of creative, fine & performing arts, science, physical education, cooking and more. This is a great opportunity for social time, exercise, and to learn things that the do not get during the regular school week.
Guidance
GG follows Love and Logic techniques for discipline. We believe modeling is the best teaching tool, and we strive to model kind, thoughtful and caring behavior at all times. All children will be treated with love and respect in my home. Starting when they are very young, we begin teaching them how to ask for help and problem-solve with their peers. We encourage the children to think for themselves by offering two safe and appropriate choices in any situation. Most discipline issues can be managed by the environment, such as making sure there are enough hands-on activities for everyone. I will never withhold food, use shame, intimidation or physical punishment to manage behaviors. I also do not use a reward system, but I do use language that teaches independence, encouragement, negotiation skills and empathy. *For more info on Love and Logic, please read “Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood” by Jim Fay and Dr. Charles Fay. Or you can check them out online at: www.loveandlogic.com
