Phonics: Letters, spoken as the name and the sound of the alphabet will be worked with, played with, written and seen everywhere. A rich supply of beginning readers through fluent readers will be provided to students when they have mastered all of the letters and sounds of the alphabet.
Writing: When a child is ready, they will begin putting the letters and words they have learned on paper. Some children are ready to do this at the same pace as their emerging reading skills. Many children are not ready to write until much later. All children will be given the opportunity to write often. Kindergarteners and younger children who are ready will have a handwriting workbook. Once printing has been mastered, children will have the opportunity to learn cursive.
Public Speaking and Poetry Memorization: Another way children will incorporate superior linguistic patterns is through memorization of poetry. We will use some poems in Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization by Andrew Pudewa, as well as other well known poems and sayings suitable for preschool and kindergarten. We will use recitation of poetry to begin to develop public speaking skills. When children begin speaking in front of a group from a very young age, it isn’t as intimidating as it might be when they get older. When they recite a mastered poem, speaking is fun and easy.
History
History will be learned through poems, stories, pictures, songs, art activities and other references that interest and excite children’s minds. History is an integral part of a classical education. It is very important that a child begin to learn his/her place in time. It is a starting off point for other subjects such as Geography, Science, Math and Music.
Geography
Children will learn about their place in this world on a global and local scale. They will learn about different cultures throughout the world and throughout history. They will learn how to find places on a globe and a map, and memorize the continents, oceans and other places.
Science
Children will study the natural world based on observation and hands-on exploration of the natural sciences, and exposure and memorization of information (types of insects, the planets, types of animals, types of plants.) This includes weather study, astronomy, geology, plants, animals, and other observable aspects of the natural realm. Children will also learn about aspects of physical science, and chemistry.
Mathematics
Children will be exposed to the foundations of mathematics through a multi-sensory, Montessori-based math curriculum, including number recognition, counting, geometric shapes, place value with the decimal system, skip counting, addition, subtraction, tally marks, telling time and more. Kindergarteners and others who are ready will begin written work.
Music
Children will learn to have an appreciation for most types of music through daily exposure. They will also learn basic music theory and about various musical instruments. They will actively participate in music through movement and singing and playing instruments. Also, each week there is a special Music class, in which the children learn many new songs, practice rhythm patterns, and learn some theory.
Art
Art History: Children will learn both the history of art and appreciation for artists within the framework of their time and style of art.
Hands-on Art: Children will experience art by creating original works of art and imitating the works of great artists.
Some examples of our students' artwork can be found on
http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=106242
Foreign Languages
Children will be exposed to different languages in the form of music and poems. We also have a Spanish teacher come each week for a special Spanish Class. We have Spanish speaking staff members who use Spanish with the children throughout the week.
Practical Life
The practical life activities meet the internal need a child has for organization. At every level, the practical life area helps the child to learn more about the environment and how to interact with the environment. Life skills, grace and courtesy, care of self, and care of the environment are examined in practical life.
Sensorial
In this area of the classroom the child works independently or with a friend to explore the relationship of items in the environment. Children are shown each material and then have many opportunities to repeat the exercises themselves. Children are introduced to concepts such as heaviest/lightest, longest/shortest, loudest/softest, light/dark and smooth/rough.
Physical Development
Children will have the opportunity to engage in large motor activities on a daily basis. They will play group games as well as individual activities in or outdoors, depending on the weather.
All students enjoy a morning Montessori program in which students are in mixed age groups of
2 1/2 - 5 years. It is during the morning when we also hold our Science, Spanish, Art, Music and Creative movement and Drama classes. In the afternoon, our youngest students take a nap, and older preschool students and early elementary students are separated acording to grade level/ to work on math, reading and writing skills.