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Preschool is where learning begins at CPA. The Academy’ s preschool program focuses on academic development, as well as experiences around student life that are meaningful, powerful, and joyful. Pre-K5’ s unit on life cycles and the growth of living things is a perfect example.
Each Pre-K5 class observes caterpillars as they undergo the phases of metamorphosis. Throughout the month, students draw pictures and take notes about how the caterpillars are changing. At the end of the unit, students can look back on the caterpillars’ transformation into butterflies through their
“ THIS UNIT EXPANDS THIS TEACHING TO EMPHASIZE HOW GOD IS THE DESIGNER OF ALL LIVING CREATURES AND THEIR PURPOSES.”
observations and name each phase of growth. This unit introduces foundational concepts of biology and emphasizes to students how God uniquely designs everything for a purpose.
In the preschool, teachers support and guide each child in building a relationship with God, helping them discover the unique gifts He has given them. Throughout the year, Pre-K5 students learn how they are uniquely and wonderfully made by God. This unit expands this teaching to emphasize how God is the designer of all living creatures and their purposes.
Instructor Laura May shared how this unit also showcases students’ development. At the beginning of the school year, Pre-K5 focuses on letters and letter sounds. Once they begin the life cycle unit, students are spelling out words on their own using their prior knowledge to write observations. Students’ mastery of this unit allowed them to confidently explain the phases of metamorphosis to younger preschoolers, answering questions about the differences between the chrysalis and the cocoon.“ They really understood it, and I think it’ s because they loved it and thought it was so interesting,” said May.
At the end of the unit, Pre-K5 classes release the butterflies into nature. Students are filled with excitement and wonder as they watch them fly away. In parallel, Pre-K5 students will soon take their foundations of learning and faith to the lower school. We know that as they begin Kindergarten, their growth and curiosity will continue to flourish.
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