Our JK Program

Be sure to enquire about our openings available in our afternoon JK classes for the 2020-21 school year.

The Building Blocks JK Program is taught by Mrs. Joanne Freer. When over 8 children are enrolled, there is also an assistant teacher. Although the Student-Teacher Ratio is 10 – 1 under the Ministry of Education, our ratio is always capped at 8 – 1. Our small ratio enables us to focus on each of our students as individuals and work with them to help them achieve their potential.

A Sheridan College instructor has advised us that a good school should have a minimum of 25 areas of interest. She noted that Building Blocks has had a minimum of 53 centers each time she has been into our school. At our school, we focus on both the development of social skills and academic progress.

Our overall school curriculum is provided below.

Curriculum Overview

Phonics

September to March

  • 2 sounds per week, with a total of 40 sounds taught
  • A different work sheet finished each day
  • A 2-day review after each set of 6 sounds
  • Children start reading simple 3-letter words by mid-October
  • Tricky (sight) words start to be introduced by mid-October, for example: the, I, you
  • Comprehension and new vocabulary are introduced
  • Printing is done daily, with emphasis on the proper formation of letters
  • Reading primary books to a teacher daily starts in January

March to June

  • Word families are introduced
  • Children build over 10 new words a day
  • Children start to print 3 new words a day from dictation

Math

September-June

  • Various math concepts are covered, including: size, shapes, opposites, left and right, one-to-one correspondence, more and less
  • The children learn ordinal numbers, how to print, counting, and following directions
  • Early addition is introduced
  • A daily calendar exercise is completed
  • Graphing weather starting in January
  • Measurement of the children occurs in January, March and June

Science

  • Theme-related science modules are completed, e.g.: polar animals, space
  • Science in a bottle, cause and effect
  • The children plant seeds in the spring

Literature

  • A vast variety of books and poems are introduced, usually theme-related
  • Social stories are emphasized, to help children understand their own behaviours
  • Reading is done daily
  • We focus on comprehension, asking ‘what happened?’, and enjoyment of books

Music and Movement

  • We start out the day with a welcoming song and routine
  • Movement songs are done throughout the program in a structured but fun format
  • We use beanbags, shakers, action CDs
  • Theme songs are sung during our circle times

Art

  • A different planned art activity is done a daily basis
  • Our emphasis is on creativity, language, and fine motor skills
  • Art activities incorporate both themes and phonics, e.g. illustrating the Crooked Man poem for the oo sound
  • Students can do painting, gluing, cutting, and use markers in addition to completing the planned art activity

Play

  • Our motto is ‘first we work and then we play’
  • Social skills are taught through play
  • A vast array of equipment and centers are available
  • Snack time and art are part of play time
  • Dramatic play, art, and floor and block play is age-appropriate