How we learn: ???
Morning
Students start the day with outdoor play. This gives them the chance
to let off steam and begin their day on a positive note.
Upon entering the classroom, children gather for “carpet time.” The
teacher explains what concepts will be covered that day and gives
students the opportunity to ask questions related to the upcoming
lessons.
Next, students participate in interactive phonics activities designed
to deepen their understanding of language and sounds. Students
take part in similar phonics activities throughout the week to
reinforce what they’ve already learnt and integrate the new concepts
with their existing knowledge.
After the phonics activity, Early Childhood classes move into a time of
structured, student-guided play that develops personal and practical
skills related to critical thinking, problem-solving and
communication. Students put their newly-acquired concepts into
practice through activities such as painting, role-playing, building
towers with blocks and whipping up “recipes” in our mud kitchen.
Students also have unstructured playtime during the day. This gives
them another outlet for their energy and an opportunity to play
freely with their friends.
When students have finished letting off steam, they come together
for numeracy activities. The teacher introduces a Maths concept on
Monday, and students explore it throughout the week. They practice
counting and learn more about what numbers mean. Working
independently and as a group, students discover how they can put
what they’ve learnt into practice.
Maths lessons are followed by a session dedicated to teaching
children about sharing, taking turns and teamwork. Sometimes, this
part of the day includes some time for show and tell, which fosters
communication and confidence.
In line with our inquiry led approach, students participate in daily
discussions related to the questions posed at the beginning of the
week. Each day, students delve deeper into the topic, sharing ideas
and discovering real-world applications.
The next part of the school day includes extension activities that
hone children’s fine motor skills. These activities usually build on
what’s been covered earlier in the day and help to consolidate
concepts. Child-led extension activities often involve tasks such as
measuring, pouring and cutting.
During the extension activity time, teachers and teaching assistants
take individuals or small groups aside for additional practice in
phonics and other pre-literacy concepts introduced earlier in the day
or week. Teachers and teaching assistants also use this part of the
day to assess each child’s strengths and weaknesses, so they can
develop a plan to help children improve in areas where they’re
struggling. These assessments also allow teachers to provide
feedback for parents so they can support their children’s education
at home.
Afternoon
After a busy morning of putting their new knowledge into action, it’s
time for lunch. Teachers use this time to promote healthy eating, and
students can enjoy more fun with their friends.
After lunch, children participate in specialised classes — Art, Music,
PE and Mandarin. Lessons are age-appropriate, giving children an
introduction to these subject areas and preparing them for more indepth study when they reach primary school. Specialised classes are
varied throughout the week, so students have ample opportunities
to practice each subject.
Afterwards, children gather on the carpet again to pick up their
discussion on the week’s theme. They look at it from different angles
to sharpen their curiosity and explore the topic in new ways.
Up to this point, students have covered considerable territory, so
teachers provide another period of unstructured play. Children take
advantage of this time to stretch their legs and play with their
friends.
As the day winds down, children straighten up the classroom and
gather the projects they’ve completed to showcase them for their
parents. Students and teachers wrap up their time together with
story-time, ending the day on a calm, positive note.