curriculum



		back to programs Curriculum Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Studies Technology Library Foreign Language Music and Art Vocal and Instrumental Music Art Language Arts Language Arts is taught to ensure that each child develops proficient reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Throughout our program, emphasis is placed on helping children become effective communicators. Our goal is to provide an environment where children are free to explore the many genres of reading and writing. Special attention is paid to individual needs, interests and learning styles. While all components of language arts are interwoven through all curriculum areas, during certain times of the day focus is placed on the development of specific reading, writing and spelling skills. Children are given daily opportunities to explore their expressive and receptive language capabilities. Beginning in Kindergarten, our students utilize the writing process approach to writing. This process encourages children to gain ownership and authority over their ideas. The focus is on developing the student’s voice. Students are encouraged to write using their knowledge of phonics and sight words. Students write a draft, confer, revise, edit their work and publish it as appropriate. Our children use a balanced literature based program as they explore and develop their reading skills. Children build upon their prior experiences with “Concepts of Print”. “Concepts of Print” encompasses all of the child’s knowledge of the written word. This includes the correct way to hold a book so that the reader will be able to read from left to right and front to back. A variety of strategies, with a guided reading approach, help students to develop sight words, structural analysis and phonic skills. A combination of prior knowledge, the understanding of sentence structure and the ability to predict are all used to help students gain reading skills. Comprehension skills begin on a literal level and expand to include inference-making, predicting and evaluating. Return to top of page... Mathematics The Mathematics Program emphasizes a conceptual hands-on approach to mathematics. Our methodology addresses the natural learning patterns of children and meets the standards set by the New York State Curriculum Standards. Our program fosters mathematical insight, reasoning and problem solving while reinforcing necessary basic skills. The teachers encourage the exploration of a wide variety of mathematical ideas in such a way that children retain their enjoyment of and curiosity about mathematics. Concepts and ideas are explored using concrete materials and real experiences. The children are active participants making connections at their own pace and constructing their own meanings as they solve real problems. A common mathematical language ensures continuity across grade levels and helps children articulate thought processes. Mathematics is seen as an integral part of other curriculum areas. Children begin to understand the relationships and common themes that connect math, science and technology. They are able to apply these themes to other areas of learning and make informed decisions based on this knowledge. Return to top of page... Science The Science Program stimulates and enhances children’s natural curiosity about how the world works while they develop into confident, critical thinkers who are scientifically literate. Today’s child will have to function in a society of rapid scientific and technological advances. Appropriate modern technology is incorporated into the curriculum so that students can access and process information. The goal is to prepare children for the technological world of tomorrow and to help them interact with science as it relates to their needs and their world now. While exploring both the life and physical sciences, students learn in a creative, risk-free atmosphere that is rich in hands-on experiences and encourages investigation, analytical thinking and inquiry. In keeping with the curricular standards set forth by the New York State Learning Standards for Elementary Math, Science and Technology, the Science Program provides children with an understanding and appreciation of the links between scientific principles and mathematical theories. They discover early on that strong commonalities exist between science and mathematics as both share the concepts of comparing, classifying and measuring. Similarly, the process skills of observing, communicating, inferring, predicting, hypothesizing, defining and drawing conclusions are equally important for problem solving both in mathematics and in science. Return to top of page... Social Studies The Social Studies Program fosters an understanding and appreciation of the world in which we live. The young child’s view of him/herself as the center of the universe expands to a more global perspective. Age appropriate concepts are presented within the context of historic, geographic, economic, political and social perspectives. Multiculturalism is an integral part of the curriculum including music and the arts. Tolerance and respect for others is expected and modeled daily. Children are involved in meaningful hands-on problem solving activities and simulations. Important concepts such as community, change, culture, citizenship and interdependence are analyzed and discussed. Students explore historical events and look at the cause/effect relationship between people and geography. Themes and concepts in Social Studies are integrated into the entire curriculum. These ideas are often the seeds from which Language Arts, Math and Science activities grow. Return to top of page... Technology At New Beginnings Montessori School (NBMS), the use of computers is integrated throughout the curriculum. Students have access to computers both in the classroom and in a lab setting. Students learn how to use computers as tools to assist them in the process of education. NBMS makes use of the newest technologies to engage students in a multimedia learning experience. Our goal is for students to become comfortable using a variety of applications: Utilizing educational software to support and enhance concepts and skills taught throughout the curriculum Using the computer effectively as a writing tool Using the “tools” of the computer, such as: encyclopedias, dictionaries, books on CD-ROM and other resources Understanding basic operation and terminology of the computer Using the Internet for communication and information access Keyboarding skills Utilizing graphic arts programs for presentations and project Return to top of page... Library Through a partnership involving the teacher and the students, the NBMS Library Program helps to foster a love of reading and the ability to gain information. The instructional program from Kindergarten through elementary combines information-finding skills with literary evaluation. The following library tasks are presented as part of the classroom curriculum: Pre-School and Pre-Kindergarten Classroom teachers incorporate trips to the library for storytelling and a general introduction. Kindergarten Organization skills; title page; selection and choice of books; illustrations; literature appreciation; exposure to folklore and fiction/non-fiction. First Grade Location; title page; fiction and non-fiction; book parts (table of contents, index); creative storytelling including authoring and illustrating as a class. Second Grade Location; spine labels; alphabetical arrangement; and book parts (table of contents, index) Third Grade Biographies; individual research techniques; dictionary and encyclopedia skills. Return to top of page... Foreign Language Speaking a foreign language is a means of reaching out to others across cultural and linguistic boundaries and helping people interact with others. The earlier language learning begins the more practice and experience it can provide. Ultimately this leads to greater fluency, cultural awareness and appreciation. NBMS provides an early language program for Pre-Kindergarten through elementary. The languages are taught orally through movement, games, song and literature. As is age appropriate, the language is presented in small increments. There is a great deal of repetition, reinforcement and review. The children acquire basic vocabulary and structures for everyday communication which form the foundation for their future language study. The NBMS language experience differs in scope, depth and materials depending on the grade level of the class. The program is integrated into the total NBMS curriculum. It supports and enriches the students’ daily activities. The following topics make up the program: Culture, customs and holidays Artists and their paintings Geography, cultures and flags Simple polite expressions and commands Everyday greetings Descriptive adjectives, colors Numbers, counting, telling time Animal names Classroom objects Family words Parts of the body Objects and clothing Season and weather expressions Foods These topics taught and reinforced through games, hands-on play, crosswords, miming, singing songs, listening to music, reading children’s literature and Big Books, visuals, puppets and video tapes. The focus is on having children acquire language in a playful atmosphere at their own individual pace. At this age, language acquisition ranges from single word elements to short conversational dialogues. Return to top of page... Music and Art The special areas of Music and Art support our mission to foster development of the total child. Music and Art education encourage children to explore, analyze and evaluate the world around them. Through cooperative activities that are designed to support and complement the NBMS academic curriculum, children develop a positive sense of identity and self worth. We recognize and foster students’ different interests and abilities allowing them each to contribute to the programs in their own unique way. Return to top of page... Vocal and Instrumental Music The primary objective of the NBMS Music Program is to encourage the appreciation of music through singing, playing, listening, creation and movement. Curricular connections are made constantly throughout all departments at NBMS. Outcomes which are sought from the Music Program include the ability to sing in tune, learn an instrument, gain music literacy, succeed in reading simple to more complex rhythmic and pitch notation, be capable of singing two-part music, practice in listening attentively to music and appreciate varied musical styles from different cultures. Return to top of page... Art Art nurtures and supports the creativity of the individual. The program is designed to emphasize each child’s natural inventiveness, curiosity and critical thinking ability. Attention is given to the teaching of artistic principles such as line, color, shape, texture, pattern and composition as well as identification and discussion of master works of art. Throughout the year, students are exposed to art forms from various cultures around the world. The Art Program is dedicated to integrating our core curriculum - math, language arts and social studies into the overall creative process. Children develop their perceptual and kinesthetic skills as they work framework in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking and mixed media. Our goal is to instill each child the competency, self-esteem and satisfaction achieved from creating original art work. Return to top of page...