CURRICULUM |
Learning In The Learning Centers
Educational Philosophy And Curriculum
At ANS, it is our philosophy that young children learn best through play in a secure and happy environment that has been carefully structured to encourage all aspects of child development, including growth in language, cognition, social/emotional, fine motor, gross motor and self-help skills. This learning is addressed every day in a number of ways: during one or two large group teacher-directed “circle” times which include math and science activities, literature, music and movement, and social learning; in adult-directed small group activities which might focus on fine motor and art activities; in the playroom where gross motor and social/emotional learning occurs; and in the learning centers as described below. Classroom activities and choices within the centers are organized by themes based on general topics of interest such as seasons, holidays, community, animals, food, and transportation. A typical day at ANS includes self-guided play, center time, arts, large group or circle time, music and movement activities, snack, and a trip to our stimulating indoor playroom or outdoor playground
Learning In The Learning Centers
In the Art Center, children learn
Learning In The Learning Centers
Educational Philosophy And Curriculum
At ANS, it is our philosophy that young children learn best through play in a secure and happy environment that has been carefully structured to encourage all aspects of child development, including growth in language, cognition, social/emotional, fine motor, gross motor and self-help skills. This learning is addressed every day in a number of ways: during one or two large group teacher-directed “circle” times which include math and science activities, literature, music and movement, and social learning; in adult-directed small group activities which might focus on fine motor and art activities; in the playroom where gross motor and social/emotional learning occurs; and in the learning centers as described below. Classroom activities and choices within the centers are organized by themes based on general topics of interest such as seasons, holidays, community, animals, food, and transportation. A typical day at ANS includes self-guided play, center time, arts, large group or circle time, music and movement activities, snack, and a trip to our stimulating indoor playroom or outdoor playground
Learning In The Learning Centers
In the Art Center, children learn
- to express ideas in new and creative ways (social/emotional)
- concepts of size, shape, location (cognitive – math)
- control of a variety of tools (fine and gross motor)
- to discuss their creations (cognitive – language)
- to cooperate with others and to solve problems (social/emotional and cognitive – language)
- concepts of balance and gravity (cognitive – science)
- to create structures and repeat patterns (social/emotional and cognitive – math)
- to be flexible in their thinking and carry out ideas cooperatively (social/emotional)
- to express themselves in sentences (cognitive – language)
- to experiment with different adult roles (cognitive and social-emotional)
- to sort and organize (cognitive – math)
- concepts of classifying, patterning, groups and sets, logical reasoning, numbers sense (cognitive)
- hand-eye coordination and control of small pieces with fingers (fine motor)
- to take turns in games and share materials (social/emotional)
- new vocabulary and concepts of comparison, texture, color, weight, size, characteristics (cognitive)
- to appreciate nature (social/emotional)
- hand-eye coordination and sensory stimulation as sensory items are manipulated (fine motor)
- cooperative learning and joy in discovery (social/emotional)
- to express ideas with language and retell familiar stories (cognitive)
- to appreciate the richness of illustration and to construct meaning from it (social/emotional and cognitive)
- to gain information from books – factual as well as imaginative and cultural (cognitive)
- to use imagination to create their own stories and to take on the role of someone else (social/emotional)
- concept of communication through writing and drawing (cognitive)
- how to control and use a pencil appropriately (fine motor)
- to write some letters, such as those in their names (fine motor and cognitive)
Special Programs
A large number of special activities are planned including field trips for four year olds and special visitors for all ages. Farm animals, firefighters, dental hygienists, storytellers, sea creatures, pets and musicians are just a few! Mother Goose makes a visit and so does Amos Stamp, our musical guest from the Post Office. Special school-wide activities include our Thanksgiving Feasts, Music Festivals, Gingerbread House Decoration, Winter Concerts, School Picnics, End of Year Programs. Holidays are celebrated in the classrooms based on the unique make up of each class.
A large number of special activities are planned including field trips for four year olds and special visitors for all ages. Farm animals, firefighters, dental hygienists, storytellers, sea creatures, pets and musicians are just a few! Mother Goose makes a visit and so does Amos Stamp, our musical guest from the Post Office. Special school-wide activities include our Thanksgiving Feasts, Music Festivals, Gingerbread House Decoration, Winter Concerts, School Picnics, End of Year Programs. Holidays are celebrated in the classrooms based on the unique make up of each class.
Age-Level Objectives And Skills
Through the study of NYS Foundation for the Common Core and Early Learning Guidelines, our teachers’ experience and expertise, our relationship with the Amherst Central Schools, and our voluntary registration with the NYS Department of Education, ANS educators have compiled a list of skills which drive the planning of curriculum and help in assessing the growth of our students. This extensive and detailed list is broken down into language skills, cognitive skills, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social/emotional skills and self-help skills. Each age level has a complete set of skills which builds on previous learning. Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled mid-year for each ANS student.
Through the study of NYS Foundation for the Common Core and Early Learning Guidelines, our teachers’ experience and expertise, our relationship with the Amherst Central Schools, and our voluntary registration with the NYS Department of Education, ANS educators have compiled a list of skills which drive the planning of curriculum and help in assessing the growth of our students. This extensive and detailed list is broken down into language skills, cognitive skills, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social/emotional skills and self-help skills. Each age level has a complete set of skills which builds on previous learning. Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled mid-year for each ANS student.
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