Language

The development of oral language is crucial for a young child, not only for academic success, but for the successful development of social skills. Oral language instruction includes speaking before a group, listening skills and a focus on vocabulary. The conventions of social communication are taught and encouraged, in order for children to learn how to use language to get along with others.

Literary activities present the “big picture” of written language, as children develop an appreciation of the role of reading and writing in their daily lives. Story time promotes an appreciation of literature through discussion, art and drama activities and fosters comprehension through the development of vocabulary and an awareness of the structure of fiction and nonfiction.

Early literacy skills include learning the sounds of the letters and how to segment words (i.e., phonemic awareness). Later the children learn how to apply those skills to reading and writing activities related to daily experiences, such as reading “orders” (jog, sit, hum) to a friend or writing a shopping list for a school cooking activity.

Children at Alcuin School are taught literacy skills according to their interest and ability, rather than according to their grade level. Those who are motivated are given the opportunity to progress, regardless of their age, and those who have difficulty are given the support they need to have success at school.

Math

Early math involves the mastery of basic math skills, such as counting and numeral recognition, which are then applied to problem-solving tasks that are based on the children’s daily lives and encourage the use of direct modeling (e.g., the use of manipulatives). The children begin to see relationships between numbers (e.g., number sense) and discover different ways to compare, sequence and compute quantities. As the children become older, they learn how to use math language and symbols to represent problem-solving tasks. The children also compare and sequence dimension, volume and weight and name, sort and classify shapes.

The “big ideas” of math (i.e., number sense, computation) are explored in depth. Interest is maintained through the use of real-life problem solving activities, manipulatives, games and drama activities that reflect the children’s daily lives.