Instructional Plan and Curriculum
We use the evidence-based Creative Curriculum. The Creative Curriculum aligns with Head Start Performance Standards, NAEYC guidelines and the NY State Prekindergarten Common Core Standards.
For more information regarding the NY Common Core Standards, see:
Pedagogy
We believe that young children learn best through a holistic approach that provides hands-on activities that are developmentally appropriate, meaningful to the children, and differentiated.
Our goal is that all learners, including students with disabilities and English Language Learners (ELL), are able to actively participate in the classroom.
We employ many different teaching strategies in order to scaffold learning and meet the individual needs of each child. Our teachers use a combination of child-directed play, teacher-directed intentional teaching and independent play for lessons and activities.
Children are encouraged to investigate and explore through different modalities and given opportunities to work independently and in Small and Large groups. We promote and foster creative expression and provide activities that encourage higher-order thinking.
English Language Learners
A large portion of our students are English Language Learners (ELL). We use an additive model of English Language to support both the student’s home language and foster and support English language acquisition.
Some of the strategies used to support our ELL students include staffing classrooms with teachers who speak the child’s home language, applying some use of the home-language within the classroom and providing hands-on experiences.
What are Learning Centers?
Classrooms are organized into various areas of learning, including:
Art Center
- Encourages personal expression of ideas and feelings
- Develops fine-motor skills
- Develops vocabulary
- Develops abstract thinking
Math Center
- Develops counting skills
- Develops one-to-one correspondence
- Develops addition, subtraction, classification, and sorting skills
- Develops number identification
Science Center
- Learns how to explore, make discoveries and solve problems
- Develops curiosity and investigative skills
- Learns characteristics of the physical world
Sand and Water
- Allows for a sensory experience that is appealing to children
- Develops fine-motor skills
- Develops language and vocabulary
- Develops observational and scientific skills
- Learn math concepts (volume, measuring, addition, subtraction, etc.)
Writing Center
- Develops language and literacy skills
- Practices fine-motor skills
- Develops writing skills
- Develops letter recognition
- Develops reading skills
Library
- Learns about other people & world around them
- Develops literacy skills (reading, writing, listening, comprehension, speech)
- Learns problem-solving techniques
Dramatic Play
- Learns how to cooperate with others
- Uses and develops language skills
- Develops abstract thinking
- Develops large and fine-motor skills
Music Area
- Develops listening skills
- Learns new vocabulary
- Develops balance and coordination
- Learns about other cultures
Computer/Technology
- Develops independence
- Develops fine-motor skills
- Prepares students for technology use in the future
Blocks Area
- Develops creativity
- Learns to work collaboratively
- Develops large and fine-motor skills
- Increases vocabulary
- Develops abstract thinking
- Learn about size, shapes, length, weight, balance