| Lower Elementary School Philosophy (PPK - 2nd)
The Curriculum Guide will respond to the Commonwealth-Parkville School system, specially the Parkville Campus Early Childhood Program, following the school’s mission of providing a “high quality curriculum in English, with a strong program in Spanish that will allow students to develop intellectually, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically, within a diverse cultural context…"
The Early Childhood Program’s philosophy establishes that young children in the PPK – Kinder level are active learners in constant interaction with the physical and social environment. Their inquisitive and curious nature drives them to explore and experiment with the objects and people around them. Young children are social beings, learning to work cooperatively, beginning to show concern for others’ feelings, and discovering their place and role in their community. The program integrates the use of formal instruction, immergence of literacy, phonemic awareness, and play activities. These allow children to gain mastery of basic concepts in all subject areas. Thematic units are used at the PPK and Pre-Kinder levels. The Language Arts program in Kindergarten integrates the different subject areas through specific themes.
Play becomes an important vehicle of learning in this area. Its voluntary nature offers freedom of action, promoting the development of their imagination. It also provides elements of adventure and a base for language learning, with unique opportunities for the mastery of the physical self. Furthermore, it allows for the expression of their feelings toward themselves and others, as they explore the world within a safe environment.
As children grow and enter our Lower School Program they have been exposed to a variety of concrete experiences with their environment and have internalized this process in a way that enables them to start working at a more abstract level, while at the same time, experimenting and interacting with their physical and social environment. At this level, they have defined Language Arts, math, science, social studies, Spanish, and elective courses.
Lower Elementary School children are engaged in cooperative learning, class and individual projects, oral presentations, problem-solving experiences, as well as a language program enables them to learn and master skills through a literature based program.
Upper Elementary School Philosophy (3rd - 6th)
The Upper Elementary school is composed of students in grades 3rd- 6th and ranging in ages from 8 -12 years old. Our philosophy is to educate the “whole” child by offering a rigorous academic curriculum in addition to a wide variety of non-academic courses. The non-academic courses offered are art, music, physical education.
The ESL Program has been designed for those students who lack proficiency in the English language due to different factors. The main goals of this special group are to develop the student’s communicative and linguistic competencies in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Special attention will be focused on developing vocabulary through form and pronunciation, to promote a basic understanding of the English language. The teacher will use a variety of methods, techniques, and materials to achieve the objectives.
|
