Families seeking an all day program have the option of using the afternoon enrichment class, an opportunity specifically designed to complement the morning 4K and 5K classes. The children stay for lunch, enjoy noon recess, and return to the classroom.
After a short—state mandated—rest period, the 4K children have individual class time with Mrs. Spaeth, working on early math concepts, number formation, and introduction of the plus, minus, and equal signs. The children also hone specific skills in learning alphabet letters, letter sounds, and printing letters. By the end of the school year 4Kers begin to read “short vowel” books, a remarkable achievement!
5Kers also have specific time with Mrs. Spaeth. 5Kers learn to blend sounds and to print simple words. Writing dictated sentences takes the children to the level of using capital and lower case letters, watching punctuation, and using what they learned when blending sounds.
Portions of a chapter book are usually read before rest time. Two favorites have been Charlotte’s Web and Little House on the Prairie. After rest time comes an outside play time with the first graders. Following the play period, and a milk and snack time, the entire group enjoys science and social studies. At these times they investigate numerous areas like animal groups (mammals, reptiles, amphibians), mirrors, magnetism, and the properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Often these studies open whole new worlds for inquisitive 4s and 5s! The monthly field trips also help the children explore even broader areas of interest.
Mrs. K, a wheelchair bound reading aid with MS, spends Thursday afternoons with us. This special person works with individual children, listening to them read and helping them with projects. To help Mrs. K get in and out of the classroom, the children help her maneuver her wheelchair. At the end of the day Mrs. T, an 86 year “young” member of Grace Lutheran Church, reads stories to the class. Highlighting her visits are enthralling tales of her early childhood spent in Northern Wisconsin. Her reward: Lots of hugs!
Middle school students also provide one-on-one reading time with their little Christian brothers and sisters. Initially, the 4s listen to their buddies read. When they are able, 4s read back to their older friends! 5Kers regularly read three to four little books and also enjoy simply cuddling with their buddies. They love to have stories read to them, too! At prayer time it is a joy to see the older students pray with their young charges.
Just as we begin each afternoon with prayer, our day closes with a prayer to thank God for the time together. At the end of each quarter families are given an individual report about their child, showing everyone the benefits children receive in this special opportunity at Grace Lutheran School, Oak Creek.
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