Taught by Nicole Upchurch and Angela Davenport-Franz
Focus
• Respects the development of the whole child
• Reflects an understanding that children learn through active involvement and play
• Adaptive curriculum that meets children’s natural interests and abilities with a strong focus on Spanish and music
• Teachers and parents consult and collaborate to create a climate of respect, success, and joy necessary for lifelong learning.
Daily Schedule
Nicole starts each morning outside with unstructured play. The entire school community starts the day playing together and often using their creativity to make up games and role play. As they venture inside, students have circle time which includes sharing time along with music, Spanish and singing. Then it's time for snack and a story. The rest of the morning is called, free play. This is the time that students can choose to grab a curious activity (montessori activities) to work on their skills or an activity based on our unit of study. A third option usually chosen by our youngest students, they can use their imaginations and play.
After recess and lunch with the whole community, it's rest time. Then after rest, the "non-nappers" join Angela to continue their morning learning through a creative art and music and movement program. The students start with an art project and then they often request their favorite dance. They explore instruments from all over the world and sometimes work with the elementary kids on creating several drum ensembles. They always try to get outside to run and play to finish off their day.
FOREST FRIDAY - 4 and 5 year olds
Each Friday PGS spends the entire day outside learning from our environment. We fill our day with unstructured play, teachable moments arising from the natural world and a designed curriculum.
Students guide the morning with their interests. One Friday morning they were gathering nesting materials for their bird family units. Other days they are making natural potions to heal the wounded.
Once their interest fades a hike starts as we keep our our eyes and ears open for anything exciting. Journaling is a strong focus with each Forest Friday. The students are becoming naturalist through their observations, patience and sense of wonder. Their science journals are filled with their experiences and learnings throughout the year.
Curriculum topics have been watersheds, birds and migration, wetland service project and surprise lessons with Lon Drake.
Schedule & Pricing
• Respects the development of the whole child
• Reflects an understanding that children learn through active involvement and play
• Adaptive curriculum that meets children’s natural interests and abilities with a strong focus on Spanish and music
• Teachers and parents consult and collaborate to create a climate of respect, success, and joy necessary for lifelong learning.
Daily Schedule
Nicole starts each morning outside with unstructured play. The entire school community starts the day playing together and often using their creativity to make up games and role play. As they venture inside, students have circle time which includes sharing time along with music, Spanish and singing. Then it's time for snack and a story. The rest of the morning is called, free play. This is the time that students can choose to grab a curious activity (montessori activities) to work on their skills or an activity based on our unit of study. A third option usually chosen by our youngest students, they can use their imaginations and play.
After recess and lunch with the whole community, it's rest time. Then after rest, the "non-nappers" join Angela to continue their morning learning through a creative art and music and movement program. The students start with an art project and then they often request their favorite dance. They explore instruments from all over the world and sometimes work with the elementary kids on creating several drum ensembles. They always try to get outside to run and play to finish off their day.
FOREST FRIDAY - 4 and 5 year olds
Each Friday PGS spends the entire day outside learning from our environment. We fill our day with unstructured play, teachable moments arising from the natural world and a designed curriculum.
Students guide the morning with their interests. One Friday morning they were gathering nesting materials for their bird family units. Other days they are making natural potions to heal the wounded.
Once their interest fades a hike starts as we keep our our eyes and ears open for anything exciting. Journaling is a strong focus with each Forest Friday. The students are becoming naturalist through their observations, patience and sense of wonder. Their science journals are filled with their experiences and learnings throughout the year.
Curriculum topics have been watersheds, birds and migration, wetland service project and surprise lessons with Lon Drake.
Schedule & Pricing
- Monday - Friday from 8:45 am-2:45 pm at the Cosgrove Institute (Summer Session is Monday-Thursday 9-1) Calendar 2016-2017
- 5 Day Preschool $8,000/year $727.27/month
3 Day Preschool $4,800/year $436.36/month
2 Day Preschool $3,200/year $290.91/month - Vacation camps during PGS breaks are available for an additional fee
- If you are interested in transportation from Iowa City, we will provide transportation from the Hall of Fame and Kohls on the west side of town for an additional fee.