Independent, motivated, investigative, inquisitive, caring…. These are words we use to describe the students at Academy for Early Learning! Your child will acquire these qualities as they work in an environment that is supportive, challenging, on-level and creative. Our exceptional staff provides high interest, thought provoking experiences that are built around our National Standards based curriculum, student interest, and school-wide themes. While attending Academy for Early Learning, your child will have important learning opportunities such as; engaging field trips to extend the classroom into the community, investigating and experimenting in Science and Art labs and learning a world language beginning in Kindergarten.
Teachers will guide your child to work both as an independent, as well as cooperative learner. With a low teacher:student ratio in each multi-age classroom, where students spend an average of up to two years with the same teacher, our staff will spend a great deal of time getting to know your child both personally and academically. Educators at Academy for Early Learning provide you with important information about your child's learning using portfolios, documentation and conferencing to convey progress. At Academy for Early Learning we pride ourselves on the partnership between students, teachers and parents as we work together to make the educational experience a positive, encouraging one that will build a strong foundation for learning throughout your child's life.
The topics fall into the categories of: Self-esteem, Family, School and Friends, Peace and Nonviolence.
Hand-eye Skills, Body and Movement Awareness, Balance Activities, Motor Development, Group Awareness, Non-competitive Games, Limited Introduction to Competitive Games, Physical Fitness Skills, Parachute Play, Scarf Juggling, Jump Rope Activities.
Self-expression in two and three dimensional forms, Creative Problem Solving, Evaluation, Visual Concepts and Developments, Artists and Illustrators, Architects, Craftsmen, Designers, Gallery and Museum Visits, Studio Visits, Artists Visits. Art History. Cultures through Arts, Artifacts, Interdisciplinary Connections.
Understanding technology as a tool, Understanding and using technology, Making proper use of the computer, Word processing, Desk-top publishing, Keyboarding, Utilizing subject specific CDs, Conducting research via the Internet, Communicating via email, Using the digital camera and scanner.
The School has adopted the Everyday Program that is based on the work of NCTM and The University of Chicago Mathematics Project. Mathematics is presented in strands of content that spiral through the program many times during each school year. Numeration and Order, Measures and Measurements, Operations, Data and Change, Geometry and Spatial Sense, Patterns, Functions, and Sequences, Algebra and Uses of Variables.
READING
Reading is taught through a multi-approach system based in phonemic awareness. Students focus on phonics, comprehension, vocabulary development and meaning systems that include predicting what may happen based on prior knowledge, pictures clues, shared reading experiences, literature read aloud everyday, individually selected books for independent reading, and reading for information. In the intermediate forms. reading is a means for gaining information, thinking critically, and experiencing pleasure. Literature circles provide students with opportunities to discuss books in-depth and with purpose.
WRITING
Writing begins with invented spellings, patterns discovered in literature, writing for many purposes and writing to understand and to extend experiences.
LISTENING
Listening skills develop through opportunity to hear guest speakers, literature, media, and each other. Learning to listen to directions is a primary skill.
SPEAKING
Speaking opportunities occur daily during discussions, presentations, reports, questions, and performances.
VIEWING
Viewing provides a means to collecting and understanding information through media, illustrations, charts, graphs, and the arts. Media literacy is addressed in a critical study of propaganda techniques.
VISUALLY REPRESENTING
Visually Representing extends language into the areas of illustration, data organization, and technology.
LANGUAGE
Language skills are used within the context of grade level integrated studies and are highly valued by the literacy community that is created in each classroom.
LIFE SCIENCES
Plant Biology and Classification, Animal Behavior and Classifications, Food Chains and Food, Webs, Habitat, Animal and Plant Populations, Animal and Plant Adaptations, Cellular Structure and Function, Human Anatomy Systems, Use and Conservation of Natural Resources.
EARTH SCIENCES
Earth Geological History, Plate Tectonics, Astronomy, Weather, Solar Systems, Rocks and Minerals, Water - Properties and Behavior, Air and Flight.
PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Electricity, History, and Uses, Magnetism, Natural Forces, Energy, Work, Machines.
GENERAL SCIENCES
Scientific Method, Scientific Tools and Measurement, Contribution of Female Scientist, History of Science and Historical Personalities.
Social, cultural, scientific, and historical topics are selected each year to frame integrated studies.
The topics selected: Are significant and age appropriate, Are compelling to students, Provide a wide range of options for exploration, Are supported by fine informational and fictional literature, Are enhanced by numerous kinds of print and media resources, Provide opportunities for real experiences, both in the classroom and in the field, Engage students in the use of technology, Sustain student interest.
In the primary grades, topics, such as Simple Machines, Japan, and Native Americans, offer opportunities to explore concepts and to delve into questions that arise during the introductory phase. Each study includes group and individual research, authentic experiences with guests and field trips, use of varied materials, and culminating piece that might be written, dramatized, or built.
All integrated studies are designed to engage in language, science, art, music, technology, library, and research so that their experiences with the topic are multi-faceted and drawn from many points of view.
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