Aberdeen Hall Kelowna Okanagan Private Preparatory School
Aberdeen Hall School, Kelowna: Our Curriculum
Our Curriculum
Junior School: Grades 1 - 6
PHILOSOPHY
In order to achieve, students need to feel secure and confident. At Aberdeen Hall, we surround our students with educators who are talented, passionate, and committed. Our teachers care greatly about the development of the students, and it shows.
“the Aberdeen Hall advantage”
At Aberdeen Hall we provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge, a distinct set of academic skills and a strong sense of character. This combination of attributes will give our students a distinct advantage when they pursue university education and beyond.
Language Arts
More time is spent on the instruction of Language Arts than on any other subject. The skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking are integral aspects of an elementary curriculum and are the cornerstone of a school’s academic programme. As the students begin the intermediate grades (4-6), the Language Arts programme is organized around three major components; Comprehend and Respond, Communicate Ideas and Information and Self and Society. In each of these categories students are provided opportunities that will help them come to understand and use language more fully. The curriculum allows students to enjoy the benefits and pleasures of language in all its forms. These include reading and writing, literature, theatre, public speaking, film and other media. In all aspects of the language programme, formal grammar and technical instruction is stressed, so that students acquire the necessary tools for excellent verbal and written communication. Fieldtrips to the theatre, specialist clubs in Shakespearian Drama and guest speakers further enhance the curriculum.
Language Arts Goals
Students will:
- communicate effectively in written, spoken, and visual forms
- develop positive attitudes toward language learning
- make personal connections to other areas of study and to life outside the classroom
- apply their Language Arts skills in other subjects areas (Social Studies and Science)
- develop an understanding of and a sincere appreciation for the many types of literature
- think critically, creatively, and reflectively
- appreciate their own culture and the culture of others
Mathematics
Aberdeen Hall’s Mathematics curriculum is designed to give each student a solid foundation in a variety of mathematical skills and concepts. Students practise and explore within the five strands of the curriculum; Numeration, Geometry, Algebra and Patterning, Measurement, and Data Management and Probability. These concepts are taught and reinforced through a variety of strategies that include teacher-directed instruction, repetitive drill work, exploration with manipulatives, and creative problem solving. Students identify relationships between mathematical concepts and everyday situations and make connections between mathematics and other subjects.
Mathematics Goals
It is expected students will:
- Express a positive attitude towards math
- Become mathematical problem-solvers using the 4 Step Method (I.D.E.A.)
- Develop and maintain a solid foundation in the four main mathematical operations
- Make connections among physical, pictorial, graphic, symbolic, verbal and mental representations of mathematical ideas
- Use technology to enhance their learning experience
- Connect mathematics to everyday experiences
Social Studies
Social Studies, as defined in the BC curriculum, is a multidisciplinary subject that draws from the social sciences and humanities to study human interaction and natural and social environments. The goal of social studies is to develop thoughtful, responsible, and active citizens who are able to acquire the requisite information to consider multiple perspectives and to make reasoned judgments on social and environmental issues. The Social Studies Kindergarten to Grade Six curriculum provides students with opportunities to critically reflect upon events and issues in order to examine the present, make connections with the past, and consider the future. Fieldtrips to the Law Courts, the ECCO centre, the Museum and to geographically interesting sites and visits by guest speakers play an important part in bringing this subject to life.
Science and Technology
The Aberdeen Hall Science curriculum introduces students to many scientific skills and encourages students to explore scientific concepts in a hands-on, positive learning environment. We use interesting course content, experiments, demonstrations and the latest technology to teach a wide variety of skills and knowledge. In the process, students develop skills in calculating, critical thinking, observation and data analyses. We encourage the students to travel outside of the conventional classroom as much as possible and experience the world first hand.
We have a portable Macintosh lap top computer lab that is utilized by all of our classes. Students are instructed how to use various computer programmes such as Powerpoint, Excel and Word. They are also shown how to safely navigate and research the internet. In addition, we have two computer projectors and wi-fi internet throughout the school.
Physical and Health Education
Physical Education, through its activities and experiences, contributes to the shared goals of education, such as enhancing self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperative behaviour. Physical Education should be an enjoyable and satisfying experience for every child. Physical education provides experiences that enhance a child's level of health and fitness, and teaches the students concepts and motor skills inherent in a wide selection of physical activities. In order to make Physical Education an enjoyable and satisfying experience, we must provide opportunities for all children to reap success every time they are involved in a movement experience.
Students are encouraged to try different sports through our extra curricular clubs programme. Specialist trainers are recruited to teach Martial Arts, Field Hockey, Rugby, Tennis and Sailing.
CAPP -- Career and Personal Planning
The Career and Personal Planning curriculum makes a unique contribution to the development of students as well-rounded individuals. It complements the rest of the curriculum by focusing on students' personal development and on how their schooling and extra-curricular activities relate to their future plans. The CAPP curriculum recognizes that emotional and social development is as important as academic achievement and intellectual and physical skills. It also provides opportunities for students to become thoughtful, caring individuals who plan and review, make informed choices, and begin to take responsibility for shaping their personal futures. The CAPP programme at Aberdeen Hall enhances the students' ability to both set and meet high expectations and to flourish as responsible, contributing members of their school, community and the world.
Visual Art
In our Visual Arts programme, the four main components are creating, communicating, perceiving and responding. Studentsexplore the elements and principles of design, work on image development strategies and are encouraged to develop their own creativity, imagination and expression. The students are encouraged to explore materials, technologies and processes using a variety of themes appropriate to their grade level. Students will make 2-D and 3-D images using a variety of design strategies to communicate ideas that engage more than one of the senses. Our Art programme increases aesthetic awareness by dealing with a range of topics, such as aspects of World Art and Culture, famous Artists, Art Movements, the environment, and special events. Fieldtrips to the art gallery, theatre, ballet and museums help to broaden the students’ appreciation of various art forms.
French and Spanish
In an effort to maintain our global approach to education, Aberdeen Hall has a tradition of teaching Spanish and French starting in Kindergarten. These programmes focus on instilling a love of languages in the students. Students are introduced to the oral traditions of both languages through various forms including; story telling, songs and poems. Students are also introduced to the fundamentals of vocabulary such as numbers, colours, names of days and months and body parts. In the intermediate language programme, the oral foundation is expanded upon to include conversational French and Spanish, and the foundations for written language are introduced.
Music
Music plays an important part in the life of Aberdeen Hall. We have a flourishing instrumental band and choir who perform at our annual winter and summer concerts. The choir also performs at Senior Homes and shopping malls at Christmas. The Music room is a hive of activity with a number of clubs running at lunchtime and after school. Fieldtrips to the Okanagan Symphony and the Kelowna Ballet ensure our students appreciate the culture which surrounds them. The curriculum is divided into two areas.
Primary Music
The Kindergarten to Grade Three Music programme is taught by a music specialist and provides students with opportunities to engage in musical experiences through singing a varied repertoire of songs, playing singing games, and moving to music. Skills nurtured include using the singing voice, singing in harmony, expressing understanding of musical concepts through body movement; simple dances; playing melodies and accompaniments on instruments and listening actively to music. Students are also given the opportunity to create their own music.
Junior Band Music
Starting in Grade Four students choose an instrument and are taught by a specialist band teacher. Students learn to read music, play in harmony and play melodies and accompaniments on instruments. Students are also given the opportunity to create their own music. Students explore the following musical concepts; major and minor scales, rhythm patterns, half notes, rests, dotted half note, quarter notes, triplets, syncopation, and compound meter. Students listen actively to music representing diverse styles and cultures and explore a wide variety of sound sources.
Drama
Aberdeen Hall has a lively and productive drama department. We celebrate the talents of every one of our students in the annual Winter Concert. The drama programme teaches students to interpret and represent the dynamics of human interactions through their work in drama, and this understanding is the foundation of knowledge about drama as an art form. Through drama education, students increase their knowledge of and critical appreciation for live theatre, film and television productions. Students also learn to express their personal experiences of connecting with others, tension, conflict resolution, and creating meaning in their world. Exercises allow them to experience life-like situations, to make choices and to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions in a safe and nurturing environment. By taking on roles, students gain a deepened awareness of themselves and others in a variety of perspectives. Fieldtrips to the theatre and the ballet, in addition to, extra-curricular clubs in Shakespearian drama and Musical Performance further enrich the programme.
5/9/2008
