Pre K4

At Hale Academy, we apply the most innovative and engaging teaching strategies to encourage your child to become a well-rounded, prepared and eager learner. In PreK-4, students receive a base of knowledge in a safe and structured learning environment.  Students practice handwriting skills by manipulating Play-doh; they learn math with an abacus and other hands-on manipulatives, and they are exposed to an abundance of rich classic children’s literature through interactive story-telling sessions. With lots of love, an outstanding curriculum and superb teachers, we have devised the perfect recipe for an exciting and successful start to your child’s school years.

A variety of teaching strategies are employed to engage all students in the process of learning. A visitor to our classroom could expect to see students engaged in small-group center activities, whole-group learning, hands-on learning, and a great deal of reading and writing. The teachers implement a well-balanced approach to introduce reading, geography, science, handwriting, math, technology and the arts. And because the average attention span of a preschooler generally does not exceed 20 minutes, we incorporate fun and interactive transitional activities between subject areas.

Math

The goal of the preschool math program is to provide a solid understanding of numbers, shapes, and patterns along with an introduction to telling time and coin recognition. Math is taught using a multi-sensory approach exploring spatial relationships, counting, matching and sequencing.

The math program is based upon research that demonstrates why Japanese students are overwhelmingly so successful in mathematics. The program includes a modified abacus that the child works with to explore different concepts. This program calls for only 5 percent rote memorization and 95 percent pure understanding. Children then truly understand the concepts of numbers, therefore setting a firm foundation for future mathematical learning.

Science

The primary goals of the science program are to encourage excitement about the natural and technological worlds which surround our students, and to develop their ability to think critically through participatory learning by a series of sequential activities: observing, collecting, comparing, measuring, and drawing conclusions based on evidence and weekly hands-on experiments. The processes of scientific investigation and learning are emphasized along with skills in observing, questioning, and experimenting.

Reading and Writing-

All children will read, but not all children love to read. If we can get them excited about books, we have achieved something great! When they are intrinsically motivated, learning grows exponentially.

The PreK-4 classroom is a language-rich environment. The curriculum includes reading-readiness skills, recognition of capital and lower-case letters, recognition of his/her own name and names of others and how to write his/her name, other familiar words and the introduction of punctuation skills. 

Literature opens our minds to other worlds. By the time children are in preschool they are ready to open their minds to ideas outside of themselves. Silly ideas that make them laugh ( Dr. Seuss), ethical ideas that make them think about who they are (“Why should I be Honest?” ), and creative ideas that inspire them ( Mike Mulligan) are amongst the children’s favorites.

Reading:

Initially, reading can be frustrating when we have to remember all of the rules and how to apply them. In our PreK-4 reading program we teach the rules, but then give the children visual-cues as to when to apply them. The children experience quick success and therefore confidence. For example: a long letter “a” would be printed in bold, but a short letter “a” is printed in gray. A silent “e” would be printed in dots and so forth. To help the children remember the sounds of the blends we tell stories that they are sure to remember. This program produces excitement and their new confidence carries them forth to learn more than they would in other settings.

Penmanship:

Believe it or not, our handwriting program is fun! Our outstanding writing program was developed by an occupational therapist who was trying to help her son learn how to write. Wooden sticks and curves or play-dough are used to make letters before your child even touches a pencil. For example: a straight line and a large curve will make an uppercase “D.” Your child then progresses to a small slate board. Here they are given a small piece of chalk (to ensure correct pencil grip) to practice writing their letters. They then progress to pencil and paper. Silly stories are told to help your child remember how to form the letters.

Character:

Character is an important component in determining the path our lives take. The beginning of character is played out in everyday preschool social interaction. Each month focuses on a different character trait. We read related stories and perform activities together so your child understands how important that trait is. We encourage the trait to become part of each child through special rewards. Important traits we focus upon include respect, honesty, hard work, and many more.

Spanish

PreK-4 students are instructed in Spanish daily by a qualified Spanish instructor in the Spanish classroom. Students are introduced to basic Spanish vocabulary through songs, pictures, hands-on and interactive activities. Students learn basic greetings in Spanish, colors, numbers, days of the week, types of foods and other items.

Art

PreK-4 students experiment in the art classroom with a variety of mediums including colored pencils, watercolors, sand, charcoal, finger-paints, and pastels.

Music

Students sing and dance to fun and engaging music and learn to play the hand bells with Mrs. Brouillard in the music classroom.  This is always a favorite time of day!

Students enjoy daily outdoor recess periods during which gross motor skills are developed.   A designated napping/quiet period occurs each afternoon following lunch.  After school clubs including craft club, American Girls, Superhero Club, bicycle club, singing and drama are offered toour preschool students each day from 3:10 until 4:00 p.m. for no additional charge.