The document provides an overview and instructions for using the EmbarK12 Comprehensive preschool curriculum. It includes 18 theme-based units containing hands-on and online activities. The curriculum blends more than 750 hands-on activities with 450 online activities for a total of about 288 hours of learning experiences. The Guides contain step-by-step instructions for implementing each activity and assessing learning. Users are encouraged to customize a schedule and learning plan to meet their child's needs and interests.

1.
07028
Getting Started with
EmbarK12
Comprehensive
Objectives
• Speak in front of a group.
• Demonstrate polite listening behavior.
• Introduce yourself.
Advance Preparation
• Write your first name on one index card and your first and last name on a
second index card. Write the first name of each student on an index card
and the first and last name of each student on an index card.
• Make a simple paper-bag puppet by filling a paper bag with pieces of
balled-up newsprint. Draw features on the puppet to make a face and tie
the bottom closed with string.
My Name
O
FFLINEOO
FFLINE
15
min
1. Say: We are all special in many ways. Our name makes us special.
2. Hold up the index card with your first name written on it.
Say: This is my first name. My first name is [your first name]. Let’s read
my first name together. Students should say your first name as you say it.
3. Hold up one of the index cards with a student’s name written on it.
Say: I wonder whose first name this could be.
Vocabulary
introduce
first
last
name
puppet
roll
special
ball, small
crayons
index cards
markers
newsprint
paper bags
string
MaterialsOverview
OFFLINEMy Name
OFFLINEName Game
OFFLINEPuppet Talk
15minutes
10minutes
15minutes
LANGUAGE ARTS Module 1
Name It
In the United States, a
person’s last name is
his or her family name.
A person’s first name is
his or her given name. In
some countries, the order
of personal names may be
different. If the sequence
of names in your country
is different than in the
United States, adapt the
activities in this module as
needed.
In the United States, a
TIPS
1LANGUAGE ARTS Module 1 • Name It
PREK_01_LA_01_01_TG.indd 1 5/24/2012 10:19:58 AM
language arts science social studies musicmath art
Remember The Guide for
each lesson module has a list
of materials you’ll need and will
explain exactly how to use them.
Copyright © 2014 K12 Inc. All rights reserved.
Printed by Total Printing Systems, Newton, IL, USA, June 2014
Log on at http://embark.k12.com to watch a 3-minute video
overview of the program.
(Click “Help” in the top-right corner of
the screen if the video doesn’t appear
automatically the first time you log in.)
EmbarK12
Comprehensive blends more than
750 hands-on activities with 450 online activities—
about 288 hours of learning experiences in all.
It includes 18 theme-based units.
The online area helps organize what to work on, but the Guides, with their
step-by-step teaching instructions for every subject, module, and activity,
are the heart of the program.
Take 10 minutes now to look through the sample Guide, especially the pages
in the front that cover organization and scheduling tips, materials, books, and
songs used in the theme, and much more.
All 18 Guides are available online for easy access if you haven’t ordered the
printed copies.
Explorethe Guides and Online Environment
Watchthe IntroductoryVideo Online
embark12
for one-on-one use EmbarK12
Comprehensive
gives you home access to the same high-quality curriculum used in
brick-and-mortar preschools. Instructions in the Guide are written for
a teacher in a group situation but can be easily adapted. For home
use, you will often act as an active learning partner for your child as
well as a teacher. If possible, invite other children, family, or friends to
create fun, collaborative learning opportunities.
W elcome to EmbarK12
Comprehensive,
an engaging preschool curriculum
designed to prepare your child for
kindergarten. This Getting Started Guide
will help you make the most of your shared
learning experiences.
Guides Start here! Guides contain step-by-step
teaching instructions, materials lists, objectives,
and more for every hands-on and online activity. Available online
by clicking the Guide button or looking in “Resources.”
Hands-on (offline) activities The white
background indicates you will do this activity
away from the computer.
Online Activities This icon shows the
activity is done on the computer.
ActivityTypes
1
2
18Theme-based units
6 lesson
modules
40 min. each
4 lesson
modules
40 min. each
6 lesson
modules
40 min. each
4 lesson
modules
40 min. each
4 lesson
modules
20 min. each
4 lesson
modules
20 min. each
1–3
activities
1–3
activities
1–3
activities
1–3
activities
1–3
activities
1–3
activities
Create a learning space with easy access to both the
computer and the materials. This will let you focus on
learning rather than scrambling to locate needed items.
Take a few minutes to
unpack any materials you
ordered and create an
organized learning space.
Set UpYour Learning Environment3

2. © 2012 K12 Inc. All rights reserved.
Copying or distributing without K12’s written consent is prohibited.
1 of 2
Individual Assessment: I Am Special
language arts
approximate level of Mastery and
Date of Observation
target Objectives: I am special Just Beginning shows Progress
Demonstrates
Proficiency
say It
Speaks in front of a group.
Demonstrates polite listening behavior.
Introduces self.
Draws and labels pictures.
Uses target vocabulary for I Am Special.
Understands and follows rules.
Demonstrates responsible behavior (cleanup, jobs).
Participates appropriately in group games.
We love
reading
Listens and responds to picture book: Each Peach Pear
Plum by Allan Ahlberg.
Holds book correctly.
Demonstrates proper page turning.
Attends to a story that is read aloud.
Increases listening and speaking vocabulary.
Responds to text through art, writing, and/or drama.
Makes connections with text: text-to-text, text-to-self,
text-to-world.
listen up
Listens to names read aloud.
Recognizes and says own first name and last name.
Student Name
Student Birthdate
Copyright © 2014 K12 Inc. All rights reserved.
Make a schedule that works well
for you and your child, based on
how much time is available each
day, your child’s attention span, and
what subjects or skills you want to
emphasize. For best results, follow
a weekly pattern but be flexible
day to day: Adjust your plan based
on your child’s energy, interest,
and abilities. Work quickly through
activities your child knows, and revisit
activities as needed.
In the back of each Guide and in the “Resources” area in the
top bar online, you’ll find assessment checklists for each subject
in each unit. The skills on these
checklists match the Objectives
listed for each module. As you
complete modules, you can note
skills your child has mastered and
skills he or she is just beginning
to develop that you should
revisit later.
Themes and subjects can be done in any order, but we recommend
starting with Unit 1 (I Am Special) and moving through in order.
If you’re itching to get started, we suggest trying
• Art Module 1: I Am Special (A)
• Math Module 1: Numbers 1 to 4.
When you’re finished, do something fun and creative
to celebrate: build a new Buddy by clicking the
character in the top right corner.
Young children are eager to
learn and engage with the
world around them. EmbarK12
Comprehensive offers a rich
window to ideas, sights, and sounds
beyond their experience that will help you
share in their learning journey. Enjoy the
journey together—find opportunities in
every activity to laugh, question, discuss,
explore, and expand.
Preview andTeachYour First Module
Make a Learning Plan
Celebrate How MuchYou Learn. Have FunTogether
EmbarK12
Comprehensive’sThematic Units
1 I Am Special Students learn
what makes each one of them
unique and special.
2 Family and Friends Students
identify family members and
describe relationships.
3 Weather and Calendar
Students explore the calendar,
learn weather vocabulary, and
describe weather conditions.
4 My Five Senses Students
investigate the five senses and
explore their surroundings using
their senses.
5 Hats, Shoes, and More
Students learn clothing
vocabulary; describe, sort, and
compare articles of clothing; and
express opinions about clothing.
6 How Big? Students investigate
differences in physical size and
describe two or more attributes
of selected objects.
7 Our World Students investigate the
world around them, learn that the earth
is a sphere, and distinguish between land
and water.
8 Looking at Animals Students
explore the animal kingdom,
describe and compare the physical
characteristics of animals, and organize
animals into sets and logical groups.
9 Is It Real? Students distinguish
between real and make-believe in
various media and literature selections.
10 Where We Live Students identify
and describe various housing styles
and different building materials and
recognize a home as a place for shelter
and safety.
11 Lunchtime Students identify,
describe, and sort different foods
into logical groups. They express food
preferences and name healthy choices.
12 People and Places Students
describe a local community, identify
buildings, and name community helpers.
5
6
4
7
13 Green All Around Students
observe, compare, and identify plants
as living things.
14 Changing Seasons Students name
the four seasons and contrast weather
conditions in different seasons.
15 From Here to There Students
observe, describe, and investigate
movement of objects and compare the
force required to move objects.
16 Earth and Sky Students identify and
name the earth, moon, and sun and
their relative size.
17 What Time Is It? Students recognize
a clock face and digital clock and learn
to tell time to the hour. They differentiate
before and after and organize daily
activities according to time sequence.
18 American Symbols and Holidays
Students explore selected holidays
celebrated in the United States: birthdays,
Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, and
Thanksgiving.
Sample Plan: 5 Days/Week for About 2 Hours/Day (3 weeks per unit)
Mon. Tues. Wed. Th. Fri.
Week
1
Language Arts 1
Social Studies 1
Language Arts 2
Social Studies 2
Math 1
Science 1
Math 2
Science 2
Language Arts 3
Art 1
Week
2
Math 3
Music 1
Language Arts 4
Music 2
Language Arts 5
Art 2
Math 4
Science 3
Math 5
Science 4
Week
3
Math 6
Art 3
Language Arts 6
Social Studies 3
Social Studies 4
Music 3
Art 4
Music 4
Review and
Explore Day.
Try an “Extra”
activity in the
Tools area.