We teach students to learn
How to Learn
The Academic Curriculum combines different methodologies such as Whole Language, in which we focus on problem based learning, personal and social skills development. In each grade, seven important components or areas are taken into account.
This area has a dual focus. First, it refers to children’s feelings about themselves. We learn about these feelings by observing children, listening to their comments, and hearing families talk about their children. Included in this focus are children’s views of themselves as learners, and their sense of responsibility to themselves and others. The second focus concerns their social development, including children’s interactions with peers and adults. Particularly important are the skills children show they are acquiring while making friends, solving conflicts, and functioning effectively in groups.
This area emphasizes the acquisition of language skills to convey and interpret meaning. All of the components integrate multiple skills rather than isolated abilities. We believe that children learn to read and write the same way they learn to speak naturally and slowly, using increasingly accurate approximations of adult norms.
The focus in this area is on the children’s approach to mathematical thinking and problem solving. Emphasis is placed on how students acquire and use strategies to perceive, understand, and act on mathematical problems. Mathematics is about patterns and relationships, and about seeking multiple solutions to problems. In this area, the content of mathematics (concepts and procedures) is stressed, but within the larger context of understanding and application (knowing and doing).
This area addresses ways of thinking and inquiring about the natural and physical world. Emphasized are the processes of scientific investigation, because process skills are fundamental to all science instruction and content. Children actively investigate through observing, recording, describing, questioning, forming explanations, and drawing conclusions.
This area emphasizes the acquisition of social and cultural understanding. Children acquire this understanding from personal experiences and by learning about the experiences of others. As children study present day and historical topics, they gain understanding of human interdependence and the relationships between people and their environment.
The emphasis in this area is with children’s engagement with arts (dance, dramatics, music, and art), both actively and receptively. The components address how children use the arts to express, represent and integrate their experiences, ideas, and emotions, and how children develop an appreciation for the arts. We do no emphasize mastery of skills related to particular art forms. Rather we focus on how using and appreciating the art enables the children to demonstrate what they know and to expand their thinking.
The emphasis in this area is on physical development as an integral part of children’s well-being and ability to take advantage of educational opportunities. We address gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and personal health and safety. A principal focus is on children’s ability to move in ways that demonstrate control, balance, and coordination. Fine motor skills are equally important in laying the groundwork for artistic expression, handwriting, and self-care skills. We also address children’s growing ability to understand and manage their personal health and safety.
The emphasis in this area is with children’s engagement with technology and the integration of it with the other subjects. During their normal Computer Class they learn how to use programs such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel & PowerPoint) as well as other new programs and websites that help them deal with day to day projects and homework. During the week, teachers from other subjects can use the computer room to integrate their material with Technology.