Brookhouse School
Curriculum Outline Primary
Beth Lamont
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that the atmosphere should facilitate the exploration of meaning through child-centered education. That cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and exceptionalities should be celebrated and that I provide optimal learning experiences that will support children’s intellectual, emotional, social, physical and aesthetic development. It is vital to consider the learning style and particular interests of each child.
1. Provide a warm, safe learning environment that will help all children develop intellectually, socially, physically, and emotionally in a manner appropriate for their age and stage of development.
2. Enhance children’s feeling of self-worth and appreciation of their own and others ethnicity, culture, and language in a multicultural Society.
3. Develop social competence by providing daily opportunities for children to use problem-solving strategies to make decisions.
4. Provide prevention, early identification, and early intervention of problems that interfere with the development of a child’s learning.
5. Provide rich experiences that enhance skills in listening, speaking, emergent reading and writing and mathematical concepts with the emphasis on concrete, hands-on, multi-sensory learning.
6. Include a balance of teacher-directed and child-initiated activities that offer choices for children.
7. Use an integrated curriculum through thematic units to develop the concepts of health and social/emotional well being.
8. Provide appropriate assessment that identifies the strengths and needs of each child in order to build upon those strengths and challenge the individual.
Homework for Primary is given in the form of a “Poem Folder.” This will go home each Thursday with new poems and some printing practice. This should be returned on Tuesday. Please feel free to circle letters we are working on, color pictures and practice words. Second term the students will be sent home books in a bag to read.
Show and Tell will start in October. A note will follow. We will have a new theme for each month. This allows for direction and flexibility. For example October is “All About Me.” Please direct your child and help them understand that it isn’t always about bringing a toy to show.
Take Home Franklin is an important part of our Language Arts Program. Each night someone takes Franklin home and with help they will record what adventures Franklin had. Parents are welcome to record for the children.
Communication Folders will go home with important newsletters, communications from school or from myself. They are collected each morning in order to ensure open communication. Please remind your child to place their folder in our special bin at school.
Activity Centers are carefully planned space equipped with materials and supplies to foster the particular development of the child. They are usually hands-on. Often the activities are organized around activity centers.
Assessment, Evaluation and Communication of Student Work
The program effectiveness is evaluated through observing and recording the growth and progress of each child toward suitable goals for him or her. Each systematic and continuous evaluation is an integral part of my teaching. Outcomes of growth and learning can be observed and measured in three general areas:
1. behavioral changes
2. developing skills
3. extensive and expansion of knowledge, concepts and thinking processes
Primary Language Arts
Speaking and Listening Reading and Viewing
Sharing Time Videos and films
Storytelling Read Aloud
Choral speaking/Choral Reading Shared Reading
Book Talks Guided Reading/ Active Young Readers
Interviewing Language Experiences
Group Discussions Independent Reading
Drama Computer Programs
Listening Center Word Wall
Assessment & Evaluation Writing& Other Way of Representing
Observation Modeling Writing
Anecdotal Records Shared Writing
Self-Evaluation Independent Writing
Running Records Spelling
Reading Conferences Printing
Re-telling Drawing
Self-evaluation Playdoh, collage etc.
Interviews
Grade Primary Math
· explore, recognize, represent, and apply patterns and relationships, both informally and formally
· collect and organize data; interpret and solve problems involving collection and display of data
· demonstrate number sense and apply number theory for example: (Primary count and recognize to 10; Grade one count beyond 10 and explore number patterns to 100)
· operation sense and apply operation principles for example: (Primary count results when small groups are combined and separated; Grade One work on number facts to 18)
· measurement skills
· geometric concepts
· explore shapes and solids
Science Social Studies
Senses Citizenship
Weather/Seasons Cultural Diversity
Movement Family, Friends & Communities
Characteristics of Living Things Holidays
Under Construction Time and Continuity
Seeds, Shoots and Sprouts
Health
Safety
Healthy Bodies
Building a School Community
It is important to note that subjects are not always taught in isolation, but rather are integrated across all areas of the curriculum.
Physical Education: Mrs. Tremblay on
(remember an extra pair of sneakers must be left at school)
Music: Mrs. Mathieu
Librarian: Mrs. Allen
Book Buddies:
It is very important if you have any concerns or questions to please let me know. It is important to me that your child is comfortable and has a successful year.
All the Grade Primary/One Outcomes are available on the HRSB Website: http://www.hrsb.ns.ca/