ABeka Curriculum
The Abeka program is used in our 4 and 5 year old classrooms. This is a basic outline of goals and skills that are the focus of the Abeka curriculum.
Lessons are customized according to the age of the children.
Character Training: Supreme goal of Christian Based Curriculum:
“Train up a child in the way he should go; when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
The goals of achievement for the children are:
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Respecting authority
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Paying attention
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Obeying willingly
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Applying self to tasks
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Learning rules and how to apply them
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Always doing your best
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Developing habits of orderliness, carefulness, obedience, honesty, accomplishments, cooperation, self-control, fairness, confidence, responsibility, discipline, helpfulness, neatness, patience, good judgment and respect.
Children learn good behavior by what we as teachers show them.
Bible Time is also very important. The children learn from the New and Old Testament. Memory verses are practiced and the Pledge of Allegiance & patriotic songs are included.
History & Geography are introduced into the five year old's’ program.
Phonics: Vowels are taught first with the concept of learning to sound out words, and then the consonants are introduced.
Literature: Stories follow the theme of the week, bible stories, seasons, and the letter of the alphabet being studied.
Example Reading List for October:
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A Pumpkin Story by: Maride Shinjer
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The Man from Pumpkin Creek by: Darleen Bailey Beard
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Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by: Lois Ehert
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Goldie is Mad by: Margie Palanti
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The Tapping Tale by: Judy Geglio
These stories tie-in the autumn theme along with the study of feelings and emotions. With each literature study, the children are taught about the job of an author and illustrator
Math: Counting concepts and number recognition are introduced at the age of two and continue to be taught as the child advances through the program. Through the use of manipulatives and real experiences, children learn to recognize and develop patterns, sort like items and point out items that are small, medium and large/ first, second and third. At age five, addition and subtraction are introduced, the awareness of time and the importance of telling time are explored, and the concept of money is introduced.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
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Visual perception
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Motor coordination
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Listening & critical thinking
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Self help skills
To provide a safe and secure learning environment where creativity is encouraged, where a progressive curriculum is taught, and where each child is recognized as one of God’s little children, growing and becoming God’s desire. We wish to provide an environment where learning takes place, instruction and encouragement is given to children, according to their unique abilities, by trained and motivated staff. We want children to be ready to transition into primary school with the ability to make good choices as well as being academically prepared. Big Fish Academy has adopted the philosophy that early childhood development and education should be a time of fun, warmth, security, exploration and discovery. Preschool children are creative and receptive. Our goal is to nurture and encourage these qualities in children.