Curriculum

At Oak Grove Academy the curriculum provides fun hands-on learning experiences that help prepare young children for school. All teachers at Oak Grove foster independent learning and encourage children to become self confident, enthusiastic learners. Participation in the program encourages children to develop good habits and daily routines. Our daily curriculum promotes positive learning experiences in the following areas; language and Literature, Science, Physical Development, Math Concepts, Art and Music, and Social Competence. The daily schedule has an equal balance of active and quiet time, as well as teacher-directed and child directed activities.

At Oak Grove Academy we use the "High Reach Curriculum" as the foundation for planning. This well rounded curriculum is designed to promote development in social, emotional, physical, and cognitive areas. High Reach curriculum encourages teachers to adopt child-centered instructional strategies. These are instructional strategies based on the interest and the developmental skill levels of each child. Child centered instruction allows teachers to facilitate learning in a rich environment that fosters children's initiative, exploration, and collaborative interaction with peers and adults.

Each classroom enriches the foundation of the High Reach Curriculum to match the academic, social and developmental needs and strengths of the students. In our infant and early toddler rooms, the babies are taught baby sign language to promote communication prior to speaking skill development. This builds a foundation for language development and offers young toddlers the opportunity to communicate their needs effectively. Our older toddler and preschool rooms incorporate cooking and puppetry into regular classroom activities in order to build vocabulary as well as a sense of citizenship within the class. Our Pre-K classrooms incorporate the Land and Lives of the Letter People phonics program as well as Saxon Math (Kindergarten and First Grade Level) to augment literacy and math instruction. It is our goal to challenge and enrich every classroom in order to achieve maximum learning potential.

In addition to formal lesson plans and curriculum, our teachers guide the students of Oak Grove in developing appropriate manners. From simple please and thank you to how to raise hands and take turns to speak, manners are a part of every classroom. Similarly, students at Oak Grove Academy are guided to develop appropriate self help skills such as putting on a coat for a two year old to pouring milk in Pre-K4. By establishing confidence in their ability to take care of themselves, our students are driven to develop a level of personal responsibility that will leave them prepared to enter elementary school.

Oak Grove Academy offers four special classes taught by specialized individuals to allow a more enriched experience for our young learners. Our special classes include Music, Art, Spanish and Physical Education.

Our Music teacher visits each classroom weekly with lessons tied to our curriculum themes. Simple percussion instruments and dances are incorporated into this program. The children learn rhythm, beats, musical terminology and music appreciation. She visits all of our classrooms on Tuesday mornings.

Our Art teacher takes children in Preschool, Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 into the world of artistic interpretation. She shares works of various masters and their styles while offering the students the opportunity to recreate similar masterpieces. In the process the students learn a great deal about technique, terminology and overall enjoyment.

On Thursdays our Spanish teacher helps our students develop an awareness and vocabulary in Spanish. Through music, games, and stories she teaches children Spanish words that fit within our monthly theme. Our Spanish teacher visits with students in Junior Toddlers, Senior Toddlers, Junior Preschool, Preschool, Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 weekly.

Our Pre-K4 and after school children benefit from Physical Education each Friday taught by a physical trainer. The PE teacher focuses on coordination, problem solving through athletics, teamwork, sportsmanship, and listening skills. It is not the goal to be the fastest or the strongest; rather it is the goal to use our minds to control our bodies to be our personal best. He stresses the balance of rest, nutrition, exercise and learning for a whole healthy body.