Ages 3-4 Years. Class Size: 12.
Room 4 Team: Heather, Melissa, BreAna
We are an integrated classroom that is comprised of both program children and nursery school children. Our program offers an exceptional curriculum that targets each child’s specific goals, learning styles, and diverse learning needs. Language readiness skills, social skills, developing social relationships, academic skills, attending skills, daily living skills and many more. We provide children with many opportunities to learn and grow through modeling and peer demonstration.
Our classroom activities are age-appropriate, fun, and exciting, and follow Handwriting Without Tears and Touch Math curriculums. We are very excited for this year. We will be learning so much and having lots of fun while doing so.
Please read about Crossroads’ DONATION ACCEPTANCE PROTOCOLS at
https://crossroadcenter.org/donate-to-crossroads/ > In-Kind Donations (Wish List)
Recently in Room 4..
2.17.26 Communication in Action –
In Room 4, several students are learning to use AAC devices to communicate their wants and needs. During lunchtime, we zoomed in on J, who is working on “manding” — the ABA term for requesting items. His teacher, Melissa, sits beside him, guiding him through the steps to find the words he’s looking for on his device.
Melissa often knows exactly what J wants. But instead of simply handing it to him, she pauses and supports him in navigating to the correct buttons to make his request independently. That moment matters. If we give without teaching, we miss the opportunity to build the skill he’ll need outside of school — with peers, in the community, and throughout his life.
This is the heart of the ABA approach: breaking skills into teachable steps, practicing them intentionally, and reinforcing independence. At Crossroads, our mission is to help children build the communication and life skills that lead to long-term success. Every request made independently is a step toward greater confidence, autonomy, and meaningful participation in the world.
2/6/26 HFP in Room 4
Our Healthy Food Program is an important part of each week in our classroom. Students here at Crossroads frequently have struggles with eating new foods, and we work hard to introduce them to new foods that are also healthy.
Today we made oatmeal. It’s something that they can learn to help prepare at home, and in our group they were able to see eachother trying it, stirring it, and even enjoying it in some cases.
It takes time! His teacher relayed that E enjoyed the oats when they were dry, but not yet wet. M was curious about it and willing to lick the spoon a few times. C ate some of it but did reject some too. L wouldn’t come to the table today and J, tolerated stirring it. K was curious but didn’t get very close. Over time, with repeated trys, each of the boys will become more willing to get closer, to touch, taste and eventually eat the foods we prepare together, but it takes time, patience and no forcing!
01/06/26 – Time For Trains
12.15.25 “Everyone worked SO hard on all of the art they have made over the last two weeks to fill our holidays around the world art board 🥰🥰” ~Melissa B
12-10 ” Today, we had a special guest, Meredith (one our moms) and sister V, who came in to talk to us about St. Lucia Day, a holiday in Sweden.” ~Melissa B
12/11/25 All kinds of learning.
From group activities involving the whole class, to independent ones, and things using a wee bit of guidance, we’ve got it going on in our classroom. These kids are super starring at all they’ve been practicing; academically and conceptually, socially, and communicatively. We couldn’t be prouder of this group!
12/1/2025 A Visit from Moonbeam and Carol
As part of our Giving Tuesday celebration, we were thrilled by a visit from Moonbeam, a flat-coat lab, and Carol, her owner.
Moonbeam, aged four, is certified as a Therapy Dog by Therapy Dogs International, and her training shows. Gentle and sweet, she loves children, and our students responded with delight to her kisses and wagging tail.
This was our first visiting pet this year and we can’t wait to see Moonbeam and Carol again, soon.
11.10.25 We might LOOK like we’re just playing, but….
On the rug each day, our preschoolers enjoyed some wonderful “just playing” time with a variety of toys — building, pretending, sharing, and exploring together. While it may look simple, play like this builds important early skills: problem-solving, communication, creativity, and cooperation. Through play, children learn how to navigate social situations, express their ideas, and develop confidence — all while having fun!
Our Healthy Food Program is all about helping students feel more comfortable with new foods through hands-on learning. Cooking gives students the chance to:
Explore new textures, smells, and tastes in a positive, low-pressure way
Take turns and practice social skills while sharing tools and working together
Build motor skills through mixing, stirring, pouring, and scooping
Understand routines and sequencing — following steps, watching food transform as it cooks
Develop curiosity and confidence around what’s on their plate!
Even when the final product isn’t a new favorite, our students are growing — learning to try, tolerate, and celebrate new experiences. And that’s something to cheer about!
10.9.25 Fire Safety Fun!
This week, we had a special visit from our local fire department! Pine Grove firefighters showed our students their gear, equipment, and trucks, helping everyone learn what to do in case of an emergency. The kids were fascinated watching the firefighters put on their uniforms and loved getting a chance to touch the equipment and even explore the fire truck up close!
These hands-on experiences not only teach important safety skills, but also help our students feel more comfortable and confident around community helpers. A big thank-you to our local heroes for making learning so exciting!
9/29/25 Music Time in Room 4
Ms. Melissa is bringing music to life with the help of a song board! During music time, each child takes a turn choosing a picture from the board and placing it on the felt board to go along with the song. Today’s pick was Old MacDonald Had a Farm; the children loved joining in with the animal sounds and motions.
Music is fun, and it also supports language growth, memory, and social skills. The young learners in this class are off to a great September start!
9/22/25 Learning Centers
In Room 4, students are learning how to rotate through different learning centers—an important classroom skill that helps build independence and flexibility. At one center, children practice tracing lines to strengthen fine motor skills and early writing readiness. At another, they enjoy sitting with a teacher for a read-aloud, building listening skills and a love of books. At the third center, students work on a sequencing activity. Learning to move between centers gives students the chance to try new activities, follow directions, and discover what they enjoy—all while growing in confidence and ability.
Room 4’s Playtime Fun 7.8.25
Room 4 is off to a sweet start this summer! After a two-week break, the students are enjoying toy time on the rug—and what’s even better is how nicely they’re playing with their friends. Sharing, taking turns, and reconnecting through play is a wonderful way to ease back into the classroom routine!
Sunny Day Sand Play 5.30.25
On a warm and sunny day, children enjoyed cooperative play at the sand table in our enclosed courtyard. Working side by side, they scooped, poured, and explored—building social skills, fine motor strength, and sensory awareness all at once.
What many don’t realize is that sand play also supports early math concepts (like volume and measurement), encourages imaginative thinking, and even helps develop calming self-regulation strategies. Outdoor learning moments like these are some of the sweetest—and most beneficial—parts of the day!
Hands-On Creativity! 4.4.25
In our classroom art group, students had a blast bringing frogs to life—one colorful piece at a time! Using pre-cut parts prepared by the teaching team, our young artists practiced a wide range of fine motor skills to assemble their own frogs.
Each child engaged in tracing lines, using hole punchers, gluing pieces together, and adding their own creative flair with colors. This project offered meaningful opportunities for individualized learning; students received the level of prompting needed, and all were engaged.
The finished frogs are as unique as the artists who made them! The activity supported motor skill development, encouraged creativity, and gave our students a sense of accomplishment. Their focus and effort shine through in every hop-tastic creation.
