List of 3 items.

• Tower Tots

  The Tower Tots program thoughtfully considers the various developmental ranges of three and four year old students while honoring each child’s personal growth. Our preschool curriculum, inspired by the Reggio-Emilia approach, provides our young students with the opportunity to explore and engage in active learning through play, while developing self-confidence and a life-long love of learning.
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  Language Arts

  • Exposure to a diverse selection of reading materials; picture books, predictable and rhyming books, fiction and non-fiction
  • Vocabulary and language, phonological awareness, knowledge of print, letters and words, comprehension, book and text knowledge
  • Balanced literacy through interactive read-alouds, shared reading, “just right” books
  • Informal conversations, songs, rhymes, finger plays, movement activities, read-alouds with book discussions, forming names with magnetic letters, and retelling stories with a felt board

  
  Math

  • Basic math and number concepts
  • Numeral identification, counting, one-to-one correspondence, patterning, sorting and classifying

  
  Science
  

  • Discover and explore their world through play
  • Practice skills such as predicting, observing, classifying, hypothesizing, experimenting and communicating
  • Visit the Science Lab for special projects

  
  Physical Education
  

  • Build a solid foundation to develop age-appropriate tasks

  • Spatial awareness, basic motor skills, crossing the plane, personal involvement and fun

  • Sharing, taking turns and respecting one another

  
  Spanish

  • Units include: Greetings, Let's Count to 10!, What Color Is This?, shapes, holidays, seasons and various topics corresponding with grade-level classroom curriculum

  
  Music

  • A range of activities designed to foster a love of music as well as gain an understanding of basic skills
  • Singing games, listening activities, movement to music and the opportunity to play classroom percussion instruments  

  
  Other Specials

  • Library

  
  Character Education

  • Integrated through all aspects of the curriculum using literature, discussion and activities

  
  Signature Experiences

  • Collaboration activities with Upper Schoolers
  • Service learning projects
  • Mothers Day Tea

  
  Length of School Day
  Families are given the option of enrolling their children in a full or half day program, both of which include lunch. The day begins at 7:55 a.m. with a 12:30 p.m. dismissal for half-day students and a 3 p.m. dismissal for full-day students. For students needing further care, our Kaleidoscope After School Program is available until 6 p.m.

• Prekindergarten

  Our prekindergarten program is built on a foundation that is mindful of developmental levels of four and five year old children. Taking inspiration from the Reggio-Emilia philosophy, learning begins with provocations to glean the interests of the class, as a whole and as individuals. Teachers act as researchers to provide guidance as students explore those interests in ways that are meaningful. These invitations to learning garner curiosity and questioning, urging students to follow through on finding answers to those questions. Academic skills are woven into daily play.
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  Language Arts
  

  • Expose students to wide range of literature to introduce listening, retelling and comprehension skills
  • Develop phonemic awareness and phonics using a multi-sensory language arts program
  • Begin building a sight word vocabulary
  • Introduce journaling

  
  Math
  

  • Introduce and begin to develop a strong number sense using various strategies incorporating hands-on learning
  • Explore problem-solving skills and strategies
  • Expose students to other content such as sorting, classifying, patterning, measurement, geometry and time

  
  Character Education
  

  • Integrate through all aspects of the curriculum using literature, discussion and activities

  
  Music
  

  • Listening, singing and moving to folk, classical, traditional and a wide array of multicultural children’s music
  • Keeping a steady beat, pitch recognition, tone color and musical styles are emphasized well as identification of orchestral musical instruments
  • Students are encouraged to participate in simple dances, musical ensembles and songs in a warm and nurturing environment

  
  Other Specials

  • PE
  • Spanish
  • Science
  • Library

  
  Service Learning
  

  • Food Drive

  
  Signature Experiences
  

  • 5th Grade Buddies
  • PK Musical
  • Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day

  
  Length of School Day 
  

  Families are given the option of enrolling their children in a full or half day program, both of which include lunch. The day begins at 8 a.m. with a 12:30 p.m. dismissal for half-day students and a 3 p.m. dismissal for full-day students. For students needing further care, Kaleidoscope, the after-school program, is available until 6 p.m.

   

• Kindergarten

  Kindergarten, according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, is a time for children to expand their love of learning, general knowledge, ability to get along with others and interest in reaching out to the world. Accordingly, the Tower Hill kindergarten program provides challenging and engaging experiences for preschool students, building a strong foundation for future intellectual, physical and social development.
  

  
  The curriculum is presented through hands-on learning experiences that focus on the strengths, needs and interests of five and six year old students. In addition to in-class core curricular instruction, kindergarten students receive specialized instruction in physical education, music, Spanish, library, drama, science and technology. Also included in a kindergartner’s day are plentiful opportunities for indoor and outdoor play.
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  Language Arts

  • Phonics skills and introduction of handwriting formation with the Fundations program
  • Sight word vocabulary
  • Foundational reading skills in Readers Workshop, based on students’ independent reading levels
  • Exposure to wide range of literature to introduce listening, retelling and comprehension skills
  • Written expression within Writing Workshop 
    
    

  Math
  

  • Introduction and development of number sense using various strategies including Singapore Math and hands-on learning
  • Problem-solving skills and strategies in class

  
  Science
  

  • Active, hands-on, and inquiry based units inspired by the natural world
  • Themes may include; My Five Senses, Fall Changes, Exploring Day and Night, Big Dino Dig and Visiting the Rain Forest
    
    

  Technology
  

  • Identifying the parts of a computer
  • Keys necessary to use the computer as a learning tool
  • Websites that tie into thematic units studied in kindergarten
  • Interactive lessons on the SMART Table
  • Coding program: Monster Code Lab and Tynker
    
    

  Character Education
  

  • Integrated through all aspects of the curriculum using literature, discussion and activities
  • Positive character traits reinforced through stuffed animals, such as Patience Panda and Honesty Ostrich 

  Social Justice
  

  • AMAZE Anti-Bias Education uses literature and discussion to challenge prejudices and injustices
  • Kindergarten themes include:
  • Being a friend
  • Disabilities
  • Religion
  • Cultures

  
  Physical Education
  

  • Introduction different motor skills and movement patterns that develop spatial awareness and body control
  • Creative movement in time to a beat
  • Rope and hoop activities to improve coordination and balance
  • Object manipulation and tracking
  • Meets every day

  Spanish

  • Units include: Transportation, sizes, fairy tales, Let's Learn About Ourselves (body parts), Let's Learn About Our Family, Mexican art (Diego Rivera) and various topics corresponding with grade-level classroom curriculum

  
  Music
  

  • Instill a fundamental appreciation for music through listening, singing and moving to folk, classical, traditional and a wide array of multicultural children’s music
  • Students are gently encouraged to participate in simple dances, musical ensembles and songs in a warm and nurturing environment
  • Keeping a steady beat, pitch recognition, tone color and musical styles are emphasized well as identification of orchestral musical instruments

   

  Other Specials

  • Theater

  
  Service Learning
  

  • Collect cans for Hiller Harvest food donation drive
  • Cook meals for a local food pantry

  
  Signature Experiences
  

  • Field Trips to local attractions, such as Rockford Park and Ashland Nature Center
  • Musical
  • Grandparents' and Friends' Day
    
    

  Length of School Day

  The day begins at 7:55 a.m. with a 3 p.m. dismissal. For students needing further care, our Kaleidoscope After School program is available until 6 p.m.