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Lower School Curriculum :: Early Childhood |
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PRIMER
Primer benefits some children as a
social/emotional/intellectual bridge between kindergarten and first
grade. This year allows a child to mature at his/her natural pace while
continuing to progress academically. Primer students work cooperatively
and individually. They discover and explore all concepts and skills
through concrete, hands-on activities. While the curriculum is thematic,
specific lessons vary according to the needs and interests of the
particular class.
In Language Arts, literature-based reading and student-centered
writing give students opportunities to consider themselves readers and
writers. They explore various types of literature, develop comprehension
skills, and explore word attack strategies. Fine motor activities
improve handwriting. Students gain confidence as speakers and develop
appropriate listening skills.
In Social Studies, students realize the impact environments have on
cultures; consider similarities and differences between diverse
heritages; develop appreciation for diversity of traditional customs and
lifestyles practiced in the U.S.; discover origins of various traditions
during celebrations; and explore globes and learn map skills.
In Math, students acquire math skills through exploration and
discovery, using manipulatives to help establish a concrete basis for
concept development. They grow comfortable with math concepts through
spontaneous and directed play such as board games, card games, and
computer games. This approach enables students to count, order, measure,
record, sort, compute, estimate; practice operations and write
equations; and generate story problems.
In Science, students conduct experiments that allow them to
acquire skills through exploration and discovery. Students hypothesize,
observe, plan, experiment, record, and verify.
Primer also teaches study skills: organization, active study strategies,
self-evaluation and goal setting, note taking, report writing, listening
skills, time management, and following directions.
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