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Core Curricular
Shining Stars Academy
is based on the child development model which incorporates
the theories of Piaget, Erikson, and others. Learning through
Play is the fundamental work of childhood and an important
part of developing cognitive, social/emotional and physical
skills. Our curriculum focuses on the concept that children
learn best through play. It is important for children to have
opportunities to construct their own knowledge through
creativity, interaction, exploration, and imitation of role
models. Every child is unique, therefore; our curriculum
offer different learning styles. Our Core Curriculum is
incorporated into the day using the best of current and past educational theories including:
Thematic System
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Multiple
Intelligence |
Traditional
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Developmentally Appropriate
Thematic System
An interdisciplinary teaching approach that organizes
instruction on weekly basis and delivers basic curriculum
through a broad choice of topics, e.g., Community Helpers, All
About Me & Family, Body Parts ...etc.
Multiple Intelligence
Howard Gardner's research at Harvard University who has a
PhD. in developmental psychology and is best known on his
educational circles for his theory of multiple intelligences,
has identified seven intelligences (ways of learning) and
knowing, based on the premise that not all students learn the
same way. The following are seven intelligences:
Verbal/Linguistic: learning best through language
including speaking, writing, reading, and listening.,
Logical, Mathematical: learning best through
numbers, reasoning, and problem solving,
Musical/Rhythmic:
learning best through sounds including listening and
making sounds such as songs, rhythms, patterns, and other
types of auditory expression,
Body/Kinesthetic: learning best through physical
activity such as dance, hands-on tasks, constructing
models, or any kind of movement,
Visual/Spatial: learning best visually and tend to
organize their thinking spatially (painting,
drawing...etc.)
Interpersonal: learning best through interaction
with other people through negotiations, cooperative work,
or social activities and
Intrapersonal: learning best through understanding
and control practices such as getting in touch with their
feelings and self motivation and able to concentrate and
be mindful.
Traditional
Since Shining Stars is an Academy in which will help
children to be prepared and ready for his/her primary school
years as a result some activities are student-directed, many
of our activities are teacher-directed, including circle time,
language, math, art, science and social studies. Shining Stars
Academy acknowledge a child's need for consistency and
structure throughout the day.
Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum
Shining Stars Academy staff understands the range of
abilities children have at various ages and provides a
curriculum that meets the needs and interests of its students.
Our core curriculum consist of different
learning centers
such as blocks, art, language, manipulative, science, sand and
water, music and movement, math, dramatic/housekeeping,
computers, foreign language, social studies and outdoor play.
The curriculum is planned based on various numbers of sources
such as:
National Association for the Education of the Young
Child (NAEYC) standard
Environmental Rating Scales by Thelma Harms, Richard
Clifford and Debby Cryer
The Creative Curriculum by Ann Laura Dombro, Laura J.
Colker, Diane Trister Dodge
Other teacher resource materials & books
Videos:
Classes occasionally view
educational videos that are related to their current unit of
study. Once a month classes may also see a movie that is 'just
for fun'. All programs are previewed to evaluate content and
suitability for the age group of the children.
Animals:
Animals may
occasionally visit the school to assist teachers in exploring
units of study. If an animal will be visiting the center, a
notice will be posted on the classroom door in advance of the
visit.
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