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Junior Monarchs Classroom
The Junior Monarchs program is designed for children who are at least 4 years old by September 1 and are fully potty trained. This program is offered as a 5-day, full-day experience, with an optional nap period selected by parents.
In the Junior Monarchs classroom, the morning is focused on skill development and academics, while the afternoon, starting at 12:30 p.m., shifts toward exploration and learning how to share.
Key components of the Junior Monarchs program include:
- Handwriting Without Tears Program: Students engage in writing practice, building foundational skills for both letters and numbers.
- Fine Motor Skills: Students develop their fine motor abilities through activities such as writing, cutting with scissors, buttoning shirts, and tying shoes.
- Gross Motor Skills: Continued development of coordination and balance through physical activities like jumping, running, hopping, and catching a ball.
- Literacy: Beginning recognition of sight words, basic letter sounds, and early reading skills.
- Math: Focus on number recognition, counting, patterns, one-to-one correspondence, and writing numbers.
- Social Skills: As children grow more independent, they practice following a structured daily routine and completing classroom tasks on their own.
- Religion: The program uses the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Catholic curriculum, fostering a personal relationship with God through hands-on materials and Scripture. Faith is integrated into both classroom learning and play. Students attend chapel on Wednesdays from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. in the Church, with lessons that incorporate manipulatives, songs, and stories.
In addition to these core areas, Junior Monarchs enjoy:
- Field Trips and Special Events: Both off-campus and on-campus field trips enrich the classroom experience. Off-campus trips are taken via school bus, while on-campus events bring exciting learning experiences directly to the school. These field trips align with classroom themes and offer children the chance to apply their learning in real-world contexts.
- Collaborative Centers with Mighty Monarchs: Beginning in trimester 2, Junior Monarchs join the Mighty Monarchs for collaborative centers on select days. In these mixed-age groups, students engage with one another, practicing essential social skills such as collaboration, communication, and empathy.
The Junior Monarchs program provides a balanced approach to academic learning, physical development, social growth, and spiritual formation, preparing students for success in kindergarten and beyond.