Curriculum
Our program is based on the interests, needs, and abilities of the young child. Each day is planned and balanced with respect to indoor and outdoor time; individual, small group and large group activities; and quiet and active play.
Creative Curriculum
MECE adheres to the philosophy and training of “The Creative Curriculum®”. The Creative Curriculum® is used to plan and implement a developmentally appropriate program that promotes children’s social-emotional development and learning in the core areas of literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies. It combines the latest research and the freshest ideas into a forward-thinking approach to learning–one that honors creativity and respects the role that teachers play in making learning exciting and relevant for every child in their classrooms.”
Handwriting Without Tears
MECE’s staff have been trained in the Handwriting Without Tears® program and use the HWT manipulatives in all three and four year old classrooms. “Handwriting Without Tears’ mission is to make learning and teaching easy and fun by providing superior educational products, training, and promotional materials to educators and parents.”
Benchmarks
Benchmarks are MECE’s curriculum goals. Teachers use the benchmarks to ensure that their lesson plans are well-rounded, have a specific developmental emphasis and maximize each child’s learning and growing opportunity.
MECE Curriculum Outline
September
Activity Unit
Getting to know one another
Nursery Rhymes
Colors, shapes, textures
Religion Guide
I am special
Self-concept
Feelings
Family
October
Special Events
Fire Department visit
Police Department visit
Activity Unit
Fall (seasons)
Harvest (farm and farm animals)
Community helpers (not Doctor/Dentist)
Colors, shapes, textures
Halloween
Religion Guide
God’s Gifts:
Seasons and weather
Nature and animals
Friends and Community
November
Special Events
Thanksgiving Feast (no 2s)
Activity Unit
Numbers
Senses
Thanksgiving
Religion Guide
What is a Church?
Thanks be to God (senses)
Prayers and Hymns
December
Special Events
Christmas pageant
MECE Share week
Activity Unit
Christmas Story
Christmas festivities
Holiday foods & customs around the world
Religion Guide
I can love:
Sharing
Manners
Helping
January
Special Events
Dentist visit
Nurse visit
Activity Unit
Winter
Health-Doctor, Dentist, Nurse, nutrition
Body parts, cleanliness
Safety
Religion Guide
God’s Gifts:
Seasons and weather
New Testament Stories
February
Special Events
Valentines Party
Activity Unit
Ground Hog
Lincoln and Washington
Valentines
Religion Guide
I think about God
Celebrate: other holidays
Old Testament Stories
March and April
Special Events
Easter
Conference Day
Activity Unit
Circus
Jungle, Forest, Zoo, Pets, Ocean, Insects
Dinosaurs
Spring: Seasons, weather, wind, rain
Easter
Religion Guide
God’s Gifts:
Seasons and weather
Nature and animals
Noah’s Ark
May
Special Events
Mother’s Day Teas
End of Year Picnics
Graduation
Activity Unit
Transportation: air, land water
Mother’s Day Teas, “entertainment”
Summer
Graduation
Religion Guide
Old Testament Stories
God’s Gifts:
Seasons and weather
Fours
Four year old classes follow a letter of the week format. They start with the letter “A” and work their way through the alphabet. The teachers plan stories, art activities and even snack with the letter in mind, with the emphasis on letter recognition and sound.
