Curriculum / Special Classes
To a child, Pre-school is world full of exciting things to do. As they play and explore, they are learning too. At Pre-school your child will have opportunities to interact with others and make new friends. In this English immersion program, students need to feel comfortable. Highly trained bicultural and bilingual teachers understand and care while still respecting the child as a developing individual.
The Pre-school curriculum in K1, K2 and K3 is an American English program created by High Reach Learning. This program is based on the philosophy that children learn best through hands-on activities that address the needs of the whole child. This program reflects the belief that children need a balance of child-initiated and teacher-facilitated activities each day. (Jean Piaget, Erik Erikson, Lev Vygotsky, David Ausubel, and Jerome Bruner) The approach is grounded in sound child development theory and appropriate practices. Themes are used to introduce information and learning takes place as a child explores and manipulates real objects and events. All domains are integrated into a child’s daily activities such as literacy, mathematics, science, creative arts, social / emotional and physical development. Letter / sound correspondence, numbers, colors and shapes are introduced in English at developmental appropriate times and reinforced through puppets, music, songs, art, movement, hands-on activities and games. Each year as students’ progress through the Pre-school, concepts are continually reinforced and expanded upon. Parents are invited to become active participants in their child’s learning. Weekly letters explain upcoming themes and skills and provide opportunities for involvement.
The classrooms reflect modern American learning theories. They are big, bright, colorful and filled with resources and manipulatives to assist any child in his or her learning. Each classroom is equipped with a computer, work stations for individual activities and carpeted areas for individual exploration and manipulation with materials.
Character Skill Development
A developmentally appropriate character skill development program introduces and reinforces pro-social skills. Weekly quotes are introduced at the Monday morning Flag Ceremonies and the Pre-school teachers provide interactive dramatic interpretations for the Pre-school children. Follow up discussions and activities take place in the individual classrooms. Parents are encouraged to be part of this valuable process; as values are first taught in the home. Monthly activities are sent home to reinforce the theme of the month.
Life Lab Science Program
The Life Lab Science program is based on a curriculum written by the University of California in Santa Cruz. Children create “living laboratories” for the study of the natural world. They learn about life cycles as they cultivate vegetables and flowers. Using their senses the children are provided with “hands-on” activities to explore the physical properties of soil, water, plants, garden animals, and more. Many other curricular subjects and topics are integrated into this program such as mathematics and language skills, working in cooperative groups, developing an appreciation for nature, recycling, and kitchen skills. In the Pre-school the children enjoy the benefits of a large green house and many child-sized garden tools to assist with their gardening skills.
Computers
The computer lab in Pre-school has 24 personal computers fully equipped to allow each student to enjoy their learning. Computer classes have two main goals at the Pre-school level. The first goal is to familiarize students to hardware and software appropriate for their developmental level. The second goal is to support the curricular program in the classroom through a variety of activities and programs.
Art
A new art classroom is home to the visual arts classes where students receive twice weekly instruction. Skills such as shapes, colors, numbers or beginning sounds that are taught in the classroom are reinforced in the visual arts lessons. Children develop their artistic talents through painting, drawing, modeling, and sculpting. They also learn art appreciation as a new artist is introduced each month.
Music and Movement
A large hexagon shaped Music and Movement classroom provides ample room for body expression and good acoustics. The Music and Movement Program in the Pre-school includes vocal music, listening, rhythm, music appreciation and expression. Students have opportunities to use percussion instruments to assist in the development.
Physical Education
The Physical Education Program is designed to educate the body thorough movement taking into consideration a child’s growth and maturity stage. This program contributes to the integral development of students in their motor and social development. The basic elements include: balance, rhythm, orientation, reaction, and gross / fine motor coordination. The physical education program works closely with the Wise Skills program reinforcing values such as respect, tolerance, cooperation etc.