ADDITIONAL INFO

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Language, Reading and Writing

The overarching focus is to instill a love of stories and reading. Initially, the teachers concentrate on oral language acquisition; sound and letter correspondence; rhyming; phonemic awareness.  Simultaneously, the formation of letters, is developed with various techniques such as the Montessori’s movable alphabet. As they gain confidence and skills, the children create books by dictating the words to teachers or using “best-guess” spelling.

The five and six year olds build on each of the above skills and become proficient in reading three-letter short vowel words and building a vocabulary of sight words. Children begin to use the mechanics of writing and best-guess spelling to create daily menus, stories and books about their experiences—in school, at home and on class fieldtrips.

Math

At the three to four year old level, math concepts are introduced and taught with a physical component, whether it be beads, buttons, pegs or stars drawn on paper. The concepts include:

• One-to-one correspondence
• Understanding of the numbers 0 to 20, both as symbols and quantity
• Pattern recognition as well as the ability to create new patterns
• Sorting and classifying objects according to attributes such as size, color and shape
• Simple addition and subtraction using concrete concepts
• Graphs and geometry using shapes and 3D forms

We introduce kindergartners to time measurement using the clock and calendar.  Measurement continues with standard and non-standard weight and height.  Children are also introduced to place value, numbers up to 1,000, and the concept of estimation.  Activities are designed to guide each child to the next conceptual level at the pace that is right for them.

Science

At SFS, especially for our youngest students, everything in the classroom, the yard and the world around them is an opportunity for a science project: We encourage our young scientists to observe, explore, identify, question, measure, predict, discuss, revise, examine, understand, and record their findings.  Children begin to learn a scientific vocabulary and the fundamentals of the scientific method.

Social/Cultural Studies/History

Throughout the preschool years, the children study maps and geography and become adept at identifying the continents and bodies of water. They study the fundamental needs of people through the overarching question, “What do people need to live (air, water, shelter, food)”?  They also study themselves, their families and the many ways family can be defined.

Three and Four year olds and Kindergartners

The Preschool and Kindergarten classes consist of 15-20 minute sessions twice a week with each age group (Preschoolers and Kindergartners).

• Our aim is to introduce the language using non-invasive approaches (ex: not forcing the child to speak, until he or she is ready to do so)
• Use repetition to reinforce acquired vocabulary
• Use full immersion (98%) and Total Physical Response methods, since it is proven in research to be the most effective ways to instruct this age group
• Introduce vocabulary and pronunciation through diverse games (ex: board games, duck, duck, goose, red light, green light) and art projects
• Reinforce listening comprehension through books and storytelling
• Introduce Latin American and Spanish culture through music and movement, poetry, art and storytelling