The Pre-K Program at Chicago Christian Academy

Nurturing Curious Minds & Christ-Centered Hearts

The fruit of a classical, Christian education is a person whose heart and mind are cultivated to love what is good, true, and beautiful, who takes joy in discovering the wonders of the world, and who exhibits a love for God and others. Chicago Christian Academy's preschool programming and curriculum uses the classical model of education at an age-appropriate level. The integrated approach of thematic unit studies threads the entire day together. The schedule of activities follows our school’s pedagogical approach by progressing from the concrete to the philosophical, so that children begin practicing the foundational tools of learning. Each activity is designed to cultivate curiosity and virtue in a playful, engaging manner.

Every preschool graduate will be prepared for the adventure of learning in the years to come.

A Typical Day at School

8:15 - Morning Worship

Children will begin the day with the rest of the school in our chapel at 8:15. Parents are invited to join. We start our day with our aim in mind: knowing and loving God.

8:30 - Circle Time

We welcome the children to the start of their day and discuss the unit theme. We prepare them to investigate it thoroughly throughout the day’s activities.

9:00 - Bible

Before we head out for gross motor time, we will explore the Bible using God’s Big Picture Storybook by N.T. Wright. We lay the foundation for understanding the way the entire Bible fits together as one cohesive story. .

9:30 - Gross Motor Skills

Early in the morning it is important for children to wake up their bodies so they can wake up their minds and prepare to encounter the wonders of discovery. As long as weather permits, we do this outside so kids can enjoy the fresh air with plenty of space to move.

10:00 - Centers

We return to class and after a quick snack, we will begin our centers, which breaks into 3-year-old and 4-year-old classes. The trivium centers focus on literacy. Skills in writing, drawing, and phonemic awareness are practiced. The quadrivium centers focus on math and science. Skills in numbers, shapes, and colors are practiced here along with the use of manipulatives.

11:00 - Godly Etiquette & Dramatic Play

The age groups come together again for a short etiquette lesson. They will learn the importance of manners like shaking a hand, saying thank you, and introducing yourself. This will be encouraged as they begin dramatic play time and engage in role playing and social interactions. Indoor play time and recess are crucial periods of observation and discipleship for our teachers. This is where social and emotional skills are coached, helping students learn godly virtues such as sharing, patience, and self-control.

11:30 - Lunch & Recess

Children will join the rest of the school for lunch where the older students will be guided to help and care for the littles. After lunch there will be time to go outside and play.

12:00 - Rest & Reading

Upon return to the classroom, children will be given until 1:30pm to nap, rest, or spend time with books on their own.

1:30 - Read Aloud

We will read a story relating to our theme to build comprehension and application skills, and continue the integrated learning process.

2:00 - Wonder at God's World

Either indoors or outdoors, we will spend time investigating and discussing the subject matter of study. Students will be encouraged to ask questions and try to puzzle out the answer. These are the beginning foundations of logic skills.

2:30 - Rhetoric (Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays)

We will end our day presenting orally or interpreting through art what we have learned about our theme that day. Children will build skills in self confidence and philosophical thinking, preparing them to be engaged and thoughtful leaders in our world.

2:30 - Music (Tuesdays and Thursdays)

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, students will replace rhetoric with music. Here they will learn and practice the basics of music theory: beat, tempo and pitch