Research has shown that children learn best when they are actively engaged in the process. The classrooms at Discovery School are set up to create active hands-on learning experiences for children and our environment is prepared to allow children daily opportunities to select activities from a variety of learning areas. These areas included dramatic play, blocks, science and math, manipulatives, art and music, reading and listening, writing, and sand and water.
Opportunities are provided for the development of small and large muscle skills both indoors and outdoors. Our teachers observe, guide and facilitate by asking open ended questions, offering suggestions and adding materials and ideas.
The daily schedule has a balance of child initiated and teacher directed activities.
18 Month-Two Year Old Classes
Children in these classes gain a sense of self, learn social relation skills, communication and language skills, number concepts, early quantity, colors and shapes in a hands-on environment.
Three Year Old Classes
In our three year old classes, children will begin to recognize and write upper case alphabet letters, name recognition, rhyming words, letter sounds, number recognition and simple counting skills through the use of Handwriting Without Tears, and HighScope's Growing Readers and Numbers Plus curriculums. The children will also experience Science, Social Studies, and cooking activities.
Pre-K Classes
Our Pre-K classes follow the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines for Kindergarten Readiness. The children will enhance their skills through upper and lower case letter recognition, alphabet letter writing, beginning and ending word sounds, number recognition, and addition and subtraction. They will continue to expand and develop literacy and Math skills through Handwriting Without Tears, and HighScope's Growing Readers and Numbers Plus curriculums. We also use HighScope's Early Literacy Assessment with our Pre-K classes. Our Pre-K classes will also experience Science, Social Studies and cooking activities.
Bridge Class
The Bridge class at Discovery School is designed for children who turn five over the summer, have completed Pre-K, and will not be attending Kindergarten in the fall. The children in our Bridge Class will review the TEA's Kindergarten Readiness Guidelines and expand upon them. This class is limited in size to allow for a customized learning environment.
In addition: Beginning with our three year old classes, children also experience:
Children in all age groups:
Monday Enrichment Day:
In addition to our 3 day a week Preschool program, Discovery School offers an optional Monday Enrichment Day Program. These classes are held on Monday Mornings from 9:00-12:00. Topics include Art and Music Exploration, Mini Science Camps, Creation Station, Bible-Time Adventures, Construction Junction, Book Adventures with Mrs. Janet, Fun with Food, and activities based on favorite children's books and authors. There is an additional monthly fee of $50 to enroll and participate in this class.
