About The Shenandoah School: We are excited about our new facility which we moved into in August 2005. It is located at 1115 Gardners Lane, Shepherdstown, only 3 miles from our previous location on Shepherd Grade Road. Our program is unique in that we provide young children with a very personal, intellectually stimulating, and enchanting environment in which to grow. We look at the whole child: physical, mental, and emotional then provide opportunities rich in learning at all developmental levels. We strive to meet each child’s individual learning style through fostering multiple intelligences. Our curriculum develops each of the eight intelligences (linguistic/verbal, logical/mathematical, kinesthetic, inter & intrapersonal, musical, visual/spatial, and naturalist). The child is at ease with their strongest and most developed area, but is also exposed to other modalities of learning. The School Environment: The school is divided into several rooms called learning spaces so that children are not confined to a single classroom. Each space is used at least once a day. There is an art studio, as well as areas for dramatic play, blocks, exploration, manipulative materials, language arts, music, movement, and drama. Within each area there is always a small quiet space available for individual work or to curl up and look at books. A typical day: 9:30-10:00……..…..Arrival / Indoor or outdoor exploration and play 10:00-10:25…………Morning meeting, dance and music 10:25-11:00……….…Bathroom/wash hands, story, snack and silent reading 11:00-11:30……….…Outdoors, or large motor activities inside 11:30-12:00…………Language Arts or Art, followed by dramatic play and blocks (groups divided into younger and older) 12:00-12:30…………Art or Language Arts, followed by dramatic play and blocks 12:30-1:00…………..Lunch, story 1:00-1:10…………..…Lunch clean up, get ready to go home 1:10–1:30………….....Closing circle, story and recall, prep for dismissal 1:30-1:40………….…Dismissal, parent pick up In order to fully appreciate our unique property, some day’s curriculum will be set outside. We may sketch or paint outdoors, have a story, dance, or do yoga, and of course explore the wonders of nature. Each child is asked to bring in a pair of rubber boots for gardening and rainy or snowy day play. We will often have snack and/or lunch outdoors, when the weather permits. Our philosophy: We wish to instill within each child, a genuine love of learning. For this to occur, children will feel safe, secure, loved, and respected. Our school uses an eclectic method of teaching as a paradigm for our program. It is our belief that by using valuable pieces from each of the following disciplines, we are providing young children with the optimal environment for learning to occur. Reggio Emilia ~ The Reggio Emilia curriculum is not child centered or teacher directed. The curriculum is child originated and teacher framed. A project based approach takes one element and explores all dimensions of it. (ie: sunflower study~ a sunflower is found growing in the yard by the children, we make guesses as to what type of flower it may be. We then use a book as a resource for identification, we measure the sunflower and measure each child in comparison, dissect the flower observing the leaves, petals, seeds, stem etc. We may count, roast, eat and make shaker instruments with seeds. Stories that are about sunflowers are read to the class, as well as stories made up and acted out about the sunflowers’ life cycle in movement and dance exercise. Children may then write and illustrate a book about the flower. Various artists’ interpretations of the sunflower would be then studied, and children are given the opportunity to draw and paint their own still life. A seed is replanted and growth will be closely observed the following spring.) Documentation, such as journaling or graph making, is used as a tool for the teacher and child to recall, and builds concrete concepts into more abstract ideas and visions (ie: a photo may be taken of a block structure and rebuilt at a later time). Montessori ~ The Montessori style environment is set up in each learning space. This allows the child to freely explore at their own pace, building upon concepts explored previously. A strong sense of self is gained through making choices independently, and intrinsically motivated learning occurs. The proper use of materials is taught, as each child is responsible for cleaning up their work spaces. This instills a sense of respect and ownership of their school environment. Waldorf~ Natural and simple materials will be used as much as possible. Use of natural materials not only fosters development of the child’s imagination, but a sense of security and reverence for nature is also instilled. (ie: tree and wooden unit blocks for building, shiny stones, river rocks, and shells for counting, sorting, and classifying , wildflowers or perennials may be picked for vases in each classroom, vegetables for snack may be collected from the garden that was planted by the children or cornbread may be made from dried corn donated by a local farmer.) Instead of using prefabricated dress up clothes in the dramatic play/housekeeping area, children will use their imagination to create costumes and props as they see fit. The same piece of fabric may be used as a baby blanket, cape, tablecloth, bandage, etc… Life skills such as baking, cooking and gardening will all be part of the program where exposure to valuable math, science, writing and pre-reading concepts are taught in a natural and relaxed setting . The Shenandoah School ~ 1115 Gardners Lane ~ Shepherdstown, WV 25443 ~ 304-876-3551