New Gate School Academics Information

Early Childhood

Toddlers - Ages 18 months through Age 3
In the Toddler Communities there is great emphasis on preparing an environment where each child has the ability to move and explore, which supports the development of their self-knowledge. Freedom is given within limits in order for the child to become organized and learn respect for others. The environment is prepared in a way that appeals to the senses through order, balance, and harmony and allows children to follow their natural curiosity and to experiment with the materials.

Children have experiences with the natural world through observing and caring for plants and animals in our beautiful garden areas. They learn the importance of safety in using tools, rather than forbidding their use. They engage in developmentally appropriate activities using materials which they can manipulate with their hands. And, along with teachers and parents they feel a sense of community in which to experience the importance of caring for others.

The activities of Practical Life are designed to develop everyday living skills; caring for yourself, caring for where you live (the environment), preparing and serving food, and the lessons of grace and courtesy (manners and control of movement). Practical Life activities aid the development of concentration, coordination of movement, order and independence. These activities are important to the integration of the child’s personality because they develop trust and feelings of self-worth.

Primary Classes - Ages 3 to 6
One of the first goals of New Gate School is to develop in the very young child a strong and realistic sense of independence and self-reliance. The Practical Life area of the curriculum focuses on developing skills that allow the child to effectively control and deal with the social and physical environment in which he or she lives. In addition there is a focus on the area of manners, community living and control of movement. There is a growing pride in being able to “do it for myself.” Practical life lessons continue throughout the curriculum to more and more advanced tasks as appropriate.

Prepared Environment
Sensorial materials are used in activities which help develop perception of size, shape and relationships, observation skills, fine discrimination, and classification. These activities play a major role in helping children to develop their sense of logic and concentration. The materials isolate each of the senses so that the children are able to develop and refine one sense at a time.

Language
The environment of the Primary classes reinforces a spontaneous interest in learning how to read. Children come to this level with a great vocabulary and the basics of speech. Due to our multi-age classroom design, our youngest students are constantly exposed to the older children in the class who are already reading.

Writing
Control of the hand in preparation for writing is developed through many exercises, including specially designed tasks in the use of the pencil. Such exercises begin with very young children and extend over several years so that mastery is gradually, but thoroughly, attained. Once handwriting is fairly accomplished, the children begin to develop their composition skills and continue at increasing levels of sophistication.

Mathematics
The math curriculum uses hands-on learning materials that make concepts and ideas clearly understood. Children enjoy working with beautiful bead material, wonderful objects to count, and dramatic presentations for mathematical operations. Their exposure to and practice in this area lead them to discover for themselves the answers to mathematical ideas.

Cultural Studies
Children at this level develop a sense of relationship with the world, an awareness and appreciation of other cultures, and an idea of world citizenship. The activities appeal to children’s the sense of order and love of beauty. The environment is a link to an understanding of the partnership between humans and the natural world.

Science
In science, children become involved with the secrets of nature. It gives the child a basis to sort out information through classification of things. As they learn about minerals and the powers of the universe they become aware of what natural resources are and how they can conserve them.

Spanish
Twice a week a Spanish instructor teaches 3-5 students at a time in the Primary Classroom. Each month the teacher chooses a theme, like relatives, numbers, house, which introduces 10 to 15 new words to the children. The children might do crafts, cook or play puppet games. We use a method called “Total Physical Response” for learning the language. This method allows children to learn a foreign language in much the same way as a tiny child learns to speak her native language – through the use of gestures, actions and speech.

Art and Music
Art and music are incorporated into the daily routine. Materials for basic art skills and bells for matching and grading pitches are offered throughout the room. At group time the teacher and children sing songs, learn rhythms, listen to music and learn about composers and artists lives. Special projects are offered in conjunction with Cultural Studies which combine art skills or involve learning a dance from another country