We will be following a variety of curricula for each academic area. Each curriculum is research based and developmentally appropriate for our early learners. These lessons are all directly taught but also supported and enriched through projects and hands on small group activities. Each curriculum follows the Montana Early Learning Standards to ensure our students will be prepared for Kindergarten.

WHAT WE USE:

• READING - We Can by Sopris-West It is a research-based curriculum that uses animals and short stories to teach letters and sounds. We will be teaching the letters and sounds in the order of their frequency in the English language.

• PHONEMIC AWARENESS - Heggerty Phonemic Awareness This program teaches rhyming, syllables, initial, medial, and final sounds and much more through engaging songs, nursery rhymes, word and finger plays.

• VISUAL PHONICS This program gives students purposeful movement and incorporates a kinesthetic approach for learners who are more active.

• HANDWRITING - Handwriting Without Tears It teaches students how to properly form letters using a visual and tactile approach while correctly developing the skills they need to succeed in their fine motor and handwriting skills. This program was made by occupational therapists who know and understand what skills our little learners need to be successful.

• MATH - Learning Without Tears This program respects student needs for self-directed play as it covers number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, shapes, patterns, and measurement.

• SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL - Love and Logic It is a highly effective behavior model that helps students build confidence through making good choices. This is a great program that uses positive language and positive reinforcement.