Our Curriculum
Literacy
The Spalding Method is a multisensory approach to teaching reading, writing, and spelling teaches the following skills:
- Phonemic Awareness
- Phonics
- Fluency
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
The Language Arts program also includes:
- Shurley Grammar
- Write Source
- Quality Literature Selections
History and Geography
Montessori Early Childhood Education (MECE): Continents Geography, culture, flags, etc.
Grades K/1: Ancient Cultures from Mesopotamia to Early Rome. Major U.S. Historical Events, Ancient Maps & geography symbols.
Grades 2/3: The Middle Ages - Alexander the Great, Ancient Rome, Asia, and Byzantium, Major U.S. Historical Events, Maps & Geography.
Grades 4/5: Western Europe and North & South America.
Science
Inquiry based, hands-on curriculum
MECE: Botany, Life cycles, Solar Systems, Land Forms
Grades K/1: Scientific process & tools, Human Body, Classification of plants & animals, Habitats, Physical Geography
Grades 2/3: Measurements, Electricity & Magnets
Grades 4/5: Oceans & Geology
Mathematics
Our goal is to help produce confident problem solvers who enjoy the study of math. The reason we study math is so we can apply what we learn in everyday situations. The students learn their math facts, rules, and formulas, and are able to use this knowledge in real life applications. The study of math is much more than committing a list of facts to memory. It includes memorization, but it also encompasses learning the concepts that are critical to problem solving. Our program includes a combination of Math-U-See, a hands-on, concrete curriculum and Singapore Math which focuses mainly on problem solving.
Physical Education
Pre-school through Grade 2 learn to develop the sense of their bodies through movement with eventual mastery of:
- Locomotor and Nonlocomotor movement patterns;
- Body and Space awareness;
- Manipulative Skills & Fitness Activities to strengthen the developing body.
We achieve this primarily through the use of BrainDance� developed by Anne Green Gilbert.
Grades 2 and older pursue health, physical fitness and active lifestyles based on the President's Challenge which among other advantages, aids in developing Muscular Strength, Aerobic Capacity, Muscular Endurance and Flexibility.
Art & Art History
The Art program begins at the Kindergarten level, teaching students the rules and mechanics of drawing. They learn about: line, form, shape, space, value, color, and texture. To create an aesthetic whole they learn about: contrast, emphasis, balance, unity, proportion, movement, and rhythm.
Children also learn and work with various media including: charcoal, ink, clay, collage...to stimulate their imagination and creativity. With respect to color, they learn the basics of color wheel and color mixing, that is a foundational skill for this age.
Art History is integrated into Art program to build a clearer understanding and engage the children in History.
Greek Language Studies
MECE: Recognition of colors, parts of body, numbers 1-10, songs; oral and spoken communication.
Grades K/1: Beginning writing and reading, songs, simple stories, half of the alphabet; improved oral and spoken communication
Grade 2/3: Continued improvement in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, whole alphabet; every day dialog communications
Grades 4/5: Whole sentence reading, writing, listening, speaking, basic rules of grammar; every day dialog communications. More
challenging material.
Latin Language Studies
Grade 2/3: Fluency in reading (understanding vowels & diphthongs), derivatives (English/Latin connection), basic introduction of mythology, history and culture; memorization of "key" vocabulary, recognizing verbs by endings rather than meanings, famine/masculine
reorganization, prayers
Grades 4/5: Verb endings, noun declension memorization, sentence translations, understanding the Church's significance in Rome, Emperors, culture, mythology (deeper understanding), extending vocabulary.
Music
Using the Kodaly Philosophy, elements of the Music and Music History Curriculum include, but are not limited to:
- Music Theory: Notation, Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, and Form & Analysis
- Music History: Artistic Periods, Style, and Composers
- Music Qualities: Expressive Qualities and Tone Color
- Vocal Development: Proper vocal production through the vocal mechanism, Sight-singing
ASA's Montessori Primary Program
We offer a Montessori Primary program for ages 3-6. Montessori is a method of education developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900's. Montessori programs are found world-wide, spanning six continents and becoming extremely popular in the U.S. in the last 50 years. It is founded on the scientific observation of children's learning processes; teaching abstract concepts in a concrete way through the five senses. For More Information, please visit our Montessori ECE page.
