K1 Multiage Curriculum |
| The ongoing commitment of the Berry College Elementary School and Middle School is to provide a model of the best in educational practice for children, the college, and the community. In collaboration with the Berry College Charter School of Education and Human Sciences, the school serves children by providing a quality education which will enable the fullest development of their potential in a child-centered program. An integrated curriculum and discovery-oriented activities reflect the child's decisions and interests. A collaborative environment provides opportunities for the child to construct a personal knowledge of the world. Language Arts: Our themes and individual interests serve as catalysts to motivate children toward high levels of performance in reading and writing. Literature is the foundation of the language arts component of the K1 class. Children listen to, enjoy, read and think critically about good literature. We use a variety of genre, including picture books and novels, poetry, and expository texts, to explore the theme. Sustained silent reading, buddy reading, small group reading, and “teacher reads aloud” are integral components of our daily reading program. Children are explicitly taught comprehension strategies while listening to and reading quality literature. They practice making text connections, visualizing, posing questions, finding out what is important in the story or text, forming inferences, and synthesizing what the story or text is about. Children learn both phonetic analysis, including beginning and ending consonants, short and long vowels, blends, and word patterns, as well as structural analysis, including spelling patterns, basic prefixes, and root words, to decode unknown words. Our students increase fluency by learning the Dolch list of basic sight words. Through our daily writing workshop, children learn to express themselves and develop their voice as writers. The process focuses on getting story to paper in the form of drawings, words, sentences, and eventually paragraphs. Correct sentence structure, capitalization and punctuation rules, revising and editing techniques are introduced as the need arises and in mini lessons. Our writers use developmental spelling, learn to match sounds to letters, use our word wall, charts, spelling dictionaries, and apply weekly organized traditional phonetic spelling lists. Children also have ample opportunity to write responsively to experiments, activities, and outings throughout the week. Phonics are also emphasized in a short group period, known as “sounds and songs” following writing workshop. The weekly traditional spelling list is introduced, patterns are identified, and a song or chant related to the theme is practiced to expand vocabulary, introduce content, and rehearse the phonics pattern. Handwriting instruction is enhanced through the Draw Write Now
program. Children focus on specific steps in drawing a thematic
figure, and then copy words or sentences about the drawing. Formation
and spacing of letters is also improved through rewriting and publishing
original work. Science: Science lessons integrate the study of life, earth, and physical science throughout the theme and specific details are outlined in the overview on the final page of this K1 curriculum guide. Children practice observing, posing questions, hypothesizing, experimenting, recording results, and generating conclusions. They keep records on a variety of data that are important to them. Science and social studies, while integrated into language arts and mathematics, is specifically taught four times per week for at least 45 minutes.
Art: The elementary art curriculum centers on the study of the Principles of Design and the Elements of Art, and is supported by our textbook Portfolios by Barrett Kendal Publishing. The students utilize various equipment and media such as graphite and color pencil, watercolor and tempera paint, clay and concrete. Proper techniques for using these mediums are introduced and practiced. Through reading and discussion of our text, students are exposed to the elements of art and principles of design as they apply to the appreciation and criticism of works of art. We also study various artists and artistic movements in the history of art and the importance of art in the cultures of our world. Library: The Berry College Elementary School Library holds a rich and diverse collection of children's materials, including approximately 6,000 children's books. The library and its staff serve students, teachers, and parents. It supports both the school's curriculum and children's individual interests. Students are encouraged to explore and discover during scheduled class visits and at other times throughout the school day with their teachers' permission. A master storyteller introduces children to a variety of books and stories during their library visits. Members of the library staff provide a comfortable, nurturing environment in which an early love of books is developed and nourished. Here, the imagination of children is captured and stirred, journey freely through new worlds introduced in literature. Music: The elementary school music curriculum emphasizes the understanding of musical skills such as technique, playing, creating, singing, reading and listening. Students also explore the musical concepts of dynamics, tone color, temp, rhythm, harmony and melody. Learners demonstrate their knowledge of music through performance, listening, and appreciation of a variety of styles of music from different periods and cultures. Physical Education: The focus of the elementary physical education program is the introduction and exploration of physical education skills and concepts. Physical education emphasizes the total development of the child (i.e. physical, motor, cognitive, social, and emotional development. At the elementary level students are guided through a series of developmentally appropriate experiences and activities that promote a desire to engage in physical activities, create a sense of self worth, encourage cooperation, self control, and lead to choices that promote a healthy life style. Physical education instruction includes vigorous physical activity, diagnosis and learning of neuromuscular skills, information about physical activity and fitness, and time to enjoy the application of skills and knowledge. Spanish: Our Spanish curriculum fosters an appreciation
and enthusiasm for the study of foreign language and culture. Emphasis
is on communication which is taught authentically by a native Spanish
speaker through songs, games, rhymes, and other activities. Grade
specific themes are integrated into Spanish vocabulary study and
activities. The Kindergarten/First Grade (K1) class is a two-year multi-age
program made up of kindergartners and first graders. Children study
a series of six related themes over the two-year cycle. One year
focuses on water (oceans, polar, freshwater), while the other focuses
on land (forests, underground, farms). Cycle 1 Oceans Polar Freshwater Cycle 2 Forests Underground Farms
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