Curriculum
Curriculum is what an educational institution offers to its students. Gloria Dei’s Early Childhood Ministries has developed a well-balanced curriculum covering all areas of a child’s growth and development: spiritual, cognitive, social, emotional and physical. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of our very youngest children through our Kindergarten as they interact with the world God made. The curriculum focuses on age appropriate activities, physical and emotional care, a safe and nurturing environment, and interaction between faculty and families. The Kindergarten Classes offer monthly thematic units that teach, reinforce and challenge the children in an activity-centered environment. Children enjoy a monthly Bible focus to help them learn their God-given capacity demonstrated through scripture, Bible stories and memorization. Children explore various math concepts through an interactive and manipulative learning center environment and blended literacy program through leveled stages of text, and support materials. The progressive stages ensure that children will successfully progress through the 1) early emergent, 2) emergent, 3) early, and
4) fluent stages of reading as they engage in fresh, imaginative stories presented in little and big book format. All lessons contain developmentally appropriate learning activities that correspond to the interest, challenges and needs of children at their level. The children learn daily about the world around them through curriculum, cooperative play, music, library, field trips, Chapel, P.E., Technology Application, and Spanish. The curriculum meets the standards of the Texas and National Lutheran School Accreditation, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), and is recognized by the Texas Education Association (TEA).

The Gloria Dei Early Childhood Ministries Kindergarten Curriculum includes the following content areas:

Faith Development is the central purpose of our ministry. Sharing our Christian faith and teaching children about Jesus enables them to grow in their relationship with their Savior. Opportunities exist in all classrooms to achieve this purpose through teacher/child interaction and integrating spiritual elements into lessons and activities. All lessons contain developmentally appropriate learning activities that correspond to the interest, challenges and needs of children. Activity centers help facilitate these learning activities best. Teachers use a variety of age and developmentally appropriate resources to enhance each lesson. The “Faith Alive Curriculum” is used to supplement the curriculum with additional spiritual materials in the PS through Kindergarten classrooms.

Art is an expression of God’s beauty in His creation. Children will develop awareness and learn to express themselves in a creative way and through a variety of media. Children will experience basic artistic elements and will be exposed to art of various cultures.

Language Development helps children to build language skills and strategies through aural, oral, written and foreign language instruction and opportunities. Through language experiences children will be enabled to find enjoyment, information, insight and inspiration. Children are taught to speak and write effectively and appropriately in a variety of settings and for different purposes. Children will begin to learn to write letters and numerals correctly in order to convey the written language. Children will begin to learn to communicate in an expressive manner that is essential for their individual enrichment and enjoyment. Children in the PK-5 and Kindergarten levels will supplement their language activities with “Ready Readers”, a research based, beginning literacy program
with built-in skills featuring progressive level stages of text and support materials in systematic phonics and phonemic-awareness instruction.

Mathematics helps children to develop skills and enables them through experiences to become flexible thinkers and problem solvers. Children will become adept at the use of mathematics, reasoning, and memorization strategies through the use of age-appropriate manipulatives, visuals and print. Concepts are introduced through play, experience and discovery. Children who are developmentally ready and interested will have a variety of creative, resourceful and imaginative opportunities. Children in the
PK-4 through Kindergarten levels will supplement their mathematical skills with “Math Their Way”, a developmentally appropriate curriculum utilizing the learning center atmosphere.

Music helps children to explore their innermost feelings and gives them an opportunity to express themselves through musical expression and rhythmic movement. Children will begin to develop music literacy as they acquire skills through story telling, movement, focused listening, tap, use of instruments, dance and rhythm. The “Musik Garten Curriculum” is used to supplement the learning experience with additional materials and resources.

Physical Education and Health contributes to the physical, mental, emotional, psychological, and social development of children. Children will develop a sense of personal well being, healthy choices, self-discipline and interpersonal relationships through interactive movement, games and activities. Our philosophy during this time is to encourage a sense of cooperation and trust rather than competition. We want to foster the expansion of each individual’s abilities rather than set up a “winner” situation.

In Social Studies, children will learn to appreciate themselves as children of God, the world as His creation, and their roles as Christian citizens. Children will begin to understand the relationships among themselves, their family and the community through various holidays, events, and service opportunities.

Science and Discovery is the study of the universe God has created for us to use, care for, and enjoy. Children will explore the natural laws God has put into existence to give the universe order and to benefit those He loves. Children will begin to apply concepts of basic science through discovery.

Each age level has a curriculum that is used for planning classroom activities. An appropriate age-level curriculum is located in each classroom. A copy of the overall curriculum is available for viewing by contacting the Director of the Early Childhood Ministries.