2. Welcome to Pre-K!  What to expect...  Field trips!!  We will visit different places in and around Covington in conjunction with our units!!  Developmental Milestones!!  We will work on academic skills and fine and gross motor skills through a variety of fun and interactive activities  Social and Emotional Growth  We will help your child develop social skills to last a lifetime!

3. All About Us  Mrs. Courter has taught in Georgia for seventeen years. She has been at South Salem since it opened teaching Kindergarten. This is her second year in Pre-K.  Working with Mrs. Courter is Lynn Higdon. Mrs. Higdon has worked with Newton County Schools for twelve years and had one daughter go through the Pre-K program at South Salem.  This is Ms. Maughon’s third year at South Salem teaching Pre-K! She graduated from Valdosta State in December 2012.  Working with Ms. Maughon is Pat Shepherd. Mrs. Shepherd has worked with four-year-olds for 29 years and has a daughter who works as a parapro at Live Oak.

4. Our Goals  To give your child the academic and social skills they need to successfully progress to kindergarten.  To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment.  To help your child make new friends and discover new interests.

5. Attendance and Tardiness  School starts at 7:40 A.M.  If you aren’t in the classroom by the time the bell rings, please check your child in at the counselor's office before coming to class.  Breakfast is over at 7:30. Please have your child at school before 7:30 if they are to eat.  Bright from the Start has an attendance policy that regards chronic tardiness and absenteeism.

6. Class Subjects  The learning areas we cover in Pre-K are:  Literacy  Language  Writing  Math  Science  Fine Motor Skills  Gross Motor Skills  Visual Arts  Music  Social Studies

7. Literacy  In each classroom, we will read and have available at least 22 books related to a variety of topics  Letter/sound recognition activities will be interactive and will build off of prior knowledge  We strive to teach all components of reading, including listening, rhyming, alliteration, sentence segmenting, and syllables.

8. Writing  The students will have writing activities throughout the semester, and will be placed in a journal, allowing you to see their progress throughout the year  Writing will progress from simple words to sentences.

9. Math  We will explore patterning, sequencing, and one-to-one correspondence  Daily math activities are completed during center time, small groups, and through environmental cues

10. Science  We will explore our environment outside of the school for changes in the weather and nature  We will have monthly science experiments to promote interest and expose our children to basic scientific principles.

11. Social Studies  We will learn about family relationships, community helpers, and being a productive member of the school and community  Second semester will focus on the students’ personal information

12. Music and Art  We have many learning opportunities through music, songs, and instruments  We introduce music from various cultures, provide instruments for every child to use in the classroom, and allow students to create their own musical instruments.  We incorporate visual art activities daily and encourage creative expression

13. Classroom Community  Our classroom is a community. In our community, we have rules to help us get along with each other.  We help our students understand their actions and feelings.  We help our students learn how to positively interact with each other and be a part of our school community.  We will work on the students being more independent.

14. Let’s Have a Great Year! http://decal.ga.gov/