K/5 Class

A variety of reading materials is available at the school. The main objective is to nurture in each child an enthusiasm for books and a desire to read–as well as getting into the habit of reading. Since a mastery of words and language is essential for success in all facets of learning, the children develop a positive attitude toward the written and spoken word. They begin to understand the concept of a narrative and its constituent parts. There are listening and oral activities.

Encouragement in children’s written expression is emphasized. A proactive stance toward writing is achieved through activities that include making up stories together, and listening and responding to a variety of written expression forms. Children begin to encounter the sender-receiver relationship that is the nexus of communication. A variety of writing materials are available in the learning centers with which children can explore, exercise and expand skills in, and knowledge of, the written expression.

Learning the basics of science is a prerequisite for understanding the world around us. Since we learn by doing, children have many opportunities to observe, measure, interpret and predict how phenomena occur under various conditions. Topics for exploration include seasons, animals and plants, among other wonders of nature.

A culturally diverse student body also share common qualities, such as having a family and friends. By linking these commonalities among our students, the children learn to value each culture’s contribution to our world, making it a richer place in human terms. A variety of activities and projects focus on the importance of international understanding among peoples, aimed to stimulate interest and participation.

Children are introduced to computers using the Jump Start Kindergarten program, with its trans-disciplinary framework, that complements their understanding of other curriculum areas. Later in the school year, a variety of interactive software with curricular applications is introduced, which has proven to enhance the children’s understanding of numbers, and their spelling and reading.

Cooking, Art, Gardening and Hands-on Activities, as well as Music, which includes voice training, rhythm, dancing and instruments. Art Activities involve using pencil, crayon and water-soluble paint that help elucidate the connection between ideas and their symbolic expressions. Children are encouraged to explore their creative urges through both verbal and graphical means.