OVERVIEW

At Glenburnie School, a passion and an enthusiasm for learning are fostered through our dynamic Preschool’s theme-based, activity-centred environment, where student accomplishments are celebrated. Traditional academic skills, such as numeral recognition, letter and letter-sound recognition, and initial steps to reading and story telling, are integrated with thematic studies to explore and to expand their world. Each student is provided with opportunities to experience success while being guided through a well-balanced programme of individual, small group, and larger group interactions in a caring, nurturing environment.

The ‘Glenburnie Experience’ can be considered multi-dimensional, as it provides guidance and opportunities for students to develop intellectually, socially, and emotionally, through a wide range of carefully supervised experiences in a safe, enriched setting. By focusing on the ‘whole child’, students learn how to work co-operatively, develop effective interpersonal skills, and form positive relationships.

The Glenburnie objective is to work in close relationship with our families, and to encourage the love and excitement for learning in our enriched, activity-based setting.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Pre-reading activities and structured phonics lessons are integral parts of the Preschool programme. These activities incorporate story telling and co-operative class chart stories with an emphasis on reinforcing a growing list of sounds and sight words. Stories are read, sung, and retold with the use of charts and storybooks.

The development of effective and confident oral communication, in conjunction with good listening skills, is continuously nurtured and practised at Glenburnie. Students are provided with daily opportunities to express their ideas, with an encouraging emphasis on clarity of speech and an expanded vocabulary.

MATH

Arithmetic, measurement, and geometry are experienced through hands-on activities. Using manipulative materials, our young students have opportunities to apply their growing mathematical knowledge of numeracy and abstract concepts such as ‘more than’ and ‘less than’, to solve everyday problems with counting, graphing, and their own creative thinking.

THEME STUDIES

Theme related units of study are a key feature of our Preschool programme. The units of study are designed to be integrated with all other aspects of the curriculum, including Phonics, Math, Story Writing and Story Telling, Science, French, and Technology. These integrated areas of exploration provide students with a wide range of opportunities to explore a subject area from many different perspectives. Thematic activities involve discussions, experimentation, inventing, researching, estimating, comparing and synthesizing, and recording information.

FRENCH

In French classes, students are introduced to basic phrases, colours, numbers, and theme based vocabulary through games, role-playing, and activities that incorporate poetry, songs, and crafts. Students have fun using their new French words to express themselves during, and even after, these active French classes.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Students enjoy weekly physical education classes. Skills are taught in the Gymnasium where movement activities are incorporated with music to improve rhythmic awareness and listening, while working with hoops, scoops, balls, and rings. These activities incorporate creative and directed play through games, explorations of space, and the manipulative use of a wide range of age-appropriate physical education equipment. During these classes, students have opportunities to interact with each other in co-operative games and activities while working on their gross motor, thinking, and fitness skills.

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

Glenburnie School has augmented computer technology as an additional tool for our students. Our full time Computer Facilitator works with the Preschool teacher to introduce new skills that further enhance the concepts being taught in the classroom.

Through various software programs and lab time, students begin to learn many transferable skills that they will continue to develop throughout their elementary school years. Students expand their keyboard awareness and practise a range of mouse skills while working with a variety of educational software packages during these instructional lab sessions.

THE ARTS

Overview of the Preschool to Senior Kindergarten Music Programme:

A dynamic Music programme throughout the Kinder and Primary years emphasizes vocal development and familiarization, through a hands-on, participatory approach, utilizing a wide variety of rhythmic instruments, such as xylophones, tambourines, rhythmic sticks, and shakers. The programme is anchored in the learning philosophies of Orff and Kodaly, with lessons designed to focus on the development of the ‘whole child’. As early as Preschool, students have the opportunity to explore a variety of time signatures by improvising and composing their own songs on the Orff instruments. Students develop a sense of beat through listening to man-made, natural, and instrument sounds, and steadily expand their ‘head voice’ through the use of the Solfege scale.

A balance of theory and musical games fosters an enthusiasm for musical arts, while building confidence and self-esteem at a young age. A vibrant and entertaining annual holiday stage production is presented to parents who enjoy and appreciate the spectacular results of Glenburnie’s comprehensive approach to Music.

PRESCHOOL MUSIC

At Glenburnie, the Preschool programme launches an excitement for Music that continues to be fostered throughout each level of study. Throughout the early years, the Orff and Kodaly philosophies integrate speech, song, movement, instrumental play, and improvisation.

As children develop greater auditory, visual, and tactile competence, the programme expands to greater depth and complexity to further enrich the musical experience.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

Students have ongoing opportunities to work with a wide range of craft and drawing materials which enhance and provide an outlet for their creative abilities. Students explore concepts of balance, patterning, colour, and texture in conjunction with drawing, painting, and craft activities. During these activities, which are usually integrated as part of the thematic studies, students experience opportunities to think, create, and problem solve while practising and developing their fine motor skills.

DRAMATIC PLAY

Students enjoy their imaginative play experiences at the Dramatic Play Centre. Imaginative play, dress-up, and puppetry activities provide students with opportunities to interact with others, express themselves, problem solve, and experience compassion and empathy towards others. Dramatic play enhances oral communication and listening skills while fostering co-operative interaction among students.