|
Creative Learning
We are involved in the process of learning...
Our art curriculum reflects
each child's own creativity and individuality.
Music is not limited to children's
songs. We listen to jazz, rock, classical, instrumental as well as music from around the globe.
Language arts activities may include creating plant
signs for our garden or menus for a dramatic-play restaurant. We may author our own stories or write a poem about
the beetle we found on our trail.
The flight of butterflies in our
garden may inspire a creative movement experience or a song!
Focus
On Science and Nature
Our curriculum fosters discovery and experimentation with an emphasis on critical thinking.
Observation and experimentation are two of the processes of Science. They also represent
how children learn.
Our classroom learning centers extend to the outdoors. Every season offers so much to explore!
Whether we are collecting and comparing rocks, looking to see if ice formed in puddles or watching ants at work, we are engaged
in discovery and learning.
NAEYC/Science in the Preschool Classroom
"If a child is to keep alive his sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least
one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in."
~ Carson,1965
Awareness
Through Empathy
We care about ourselves,each other and the living things in our community.
All through the year we will be exploring the world of the many creatures that
share our gardens and nature trail. Caring for pets, plants,caterpillars,butterflies and the occasional classroom visitor offers
the children the opportunity to develop empathy as well as a sense of responsibility.
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and
we will understand only what we have been taught."
~Baba Dioum
|
| Ender Hall Greenhouse |
Collaborations
BCC is a “community”
college. We foster that sense of community by encouraging interactions with the various departments in Ender Hall.
The Horticulture Dept. is
like our second home…
We have our own table in
the Ender Hall Greenhouse and are always welcomed there by faculty and staff!
Prof. Art Tolve ( AKA "Chef")always
welcomes our visits to the kitchen to see “what’s cooking”.
And of course our friendly
Public Safety officers are always welcome to visit with us.
Collaborative group work, within our own class or with the other classes
at the CDC, is considered valuable to advance cognitive and social development. Children are encouraged to dialogue,
negotiate, hypothesize, and problem solve through group work.
Through our participation in project work,
children collaborate with other schools from around the world .
Everyone contributes to our curriculum........
Family Partnerships
Families are part of our community!
During the course of the school year family members will be invited to share in scheduled school activities but are always welcome to join us. Do you have a game to play, a story to read or a recipe to share? Do you have a pet
to introduce? Do you play an instrument? Your jobs and hobbies are of interest to the children as well.
Your involvement can extend to off-site
activities such as sharing family stories and photos for our newsletter ,donating favorite books to our class library
, adding favorite family links to our web site or collecting real-life items for our prop boxes.
There will be times when families
will be asked to donate items for special activities such as a cooking lesson. There will be a sign up sheet posted each month
near our classroom door. We will also provide a family exchange board so families can communicate with each other. We value
your culture, traditions and language. We look forward to a year of learning together!
Celebrating
Together
Although the religious aspects of holidays are left for families to explore,
we will share our heritage through music, songs, food, games and crafts .We'll learn more about each
other and the world around us as we explore each others traditions and children's special holidays
throughout the school year.
We'll also compare and contrast the ways in which we and our
friends in Mexico,Peru and Turkey celebrate.
"Civilizations should be measured by the degree of diversity attained and
the degree of unity retained."
—
W.H. Auden, English poet (1907-1973)
An Integrated Center Based Curriculum
Each month your child
will participate in age appropriate activities that relate to specific themes or projects. Project work can lead to a child's in-depth and meaningful study
of a topic.Be sure to check the This Month page for information related to current themes and activities. See our Centers page to learn about the type of activities we provide in each area of the curriculum. Because we follow the interests
of the children, many activities will not be listed in advance,but we will send out email photo essays describing our classroom
experiences. Be sure we have your email address on file.
Guiding Poem:
If …
If I can
ask my own questions,
try out my ideas,
experience what’s
around me,
share what I find;
If I have
plenty of time for
my special pace,
a nourishing space,
things
to transform;
If you’ll be
my patient friend,
trusted guide,
fellow investigator,
partner
in learning
Then I will
explore the world,
discover my voice,
and tell you what I know in a hundred languages
|
