Grade PreK • Family and Community Resources Home Page

Grade PreK Family and Community Resources 

Overview

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is nationally recognized as a leader in teaching and learning. Our rigorous instructional program engages students in learning through relevant, real-world classroom experiences. The HCPSS curriculum is written by Howard County teachers and is designed to provide students a thorough grounding in essential knowledge and skills that will give them a leading edge in tomorrow's global environment. Our curriculum challenges students to think strategically, solve problems, innovate, collaborate, communicate effectively, and achieve goals.

The HCPSS curriculum is aligned to the Common Core State Standards. These standards for literacy and mathematics education resulted from a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The Standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce. Additional information about the Common Core State Standards Links to an external site..

HCPSS Curriculum

HCPSS curriculum is...

• Deep: Mastery of essential skills is emphasized at each level, so students build the skills and confidence to tackle more advanced concepts.
• Broad: Instruction crosses content areas – for example, science and social studies curriculum incorporate reading, math, and writing skills.
• Relevant: Classroom lessons are reinforced through hands-on activities and real-world experiences.
• Active: Students learn by exploration, using creativity, critical thinking, and analysis to discover answers to problems, and practice collaboration and effective communication.

Early Childhood Programs

Young children learn best when given opportunities to participate in a variety of experiences including teacher‐directed tasks, hands‐on learning, active exploration, and investigations. Early childhood educators balance rigorous instruction with opportunities for play, music, movement, and oral language development. Prekindergarten offers meaningful activities in a variety of instructional groupings, including one‐to‐one and small and large groups. Lessons help develop positive attitudes toward learning and children increase their knowledge and skills.

Prekindergarten

In Howard County, and throughout this online resource, "Prekindergarten" refers to all schooling prior to kindergarten.

• Pre-K - Half- or Full-Day programs that serve eligible 4‐year‐olds.
• Preschool - Half-day programs located within RECCs that serve eligible 3-year-olds.
• MINC - Multiple Intensive Needs Class - These classes are located within RECCs and provide special education and related services for 3 and 4-year-olds with developmental needs in multiple areas. These classes include children with and without disabilities.
• LTP Program - Learning Together Program - Typically developing 3 and 4-year-old children who are selected to participate in early childhood classroom programs. 

Instruction at the Prekindergarten Level

• Ensures that each student develops the academic, social, and emotional knowledge, strategies, and skills needed to participate responsibly in a diverse and changing world;
• Incorporates interdisciplinary instruction, project- and play-based learning, and cognitive processes to prepare students for success as lifelong learners;
• Utilizes a child-centered approach to ensure that each child develops a love of learning; and,
• Supports adjustments to the social setting of a formal classroom so that students can attain the skills and knowledge of the curriculum while learning how to function effectively in the classroom setting.