The Windy Hill Primary Program provides a stimulating learning environment for children who are five to seven years old. Children and their teachers engage in short and long term investigations of subjects of interest to them that teachers feel have potential to support development and stimulate learning. Through this "Project Approach, teachers provide a focus for children's development of spoken and written language skills, listening skills, social development, and mathematical and problem solving skills. Project work provides a real-life context for children to practice skills that they are learning.
In addition, children participate in a wide variety of learning opportunities that foster creative expression through graphic representation. Art experiences are a major focus of the Windy Hill experience. Children have access to many traditional and nontraditional art materials and tools. We take advantage of being on a college campus to visit the gallery, studios, and see visiting artists. Art is seen as both a visual expression of beauty and a way for children to express their ideas. This nicely complements the many ongoing features of our classroom such as science experiments, math games, and an extensive block collection.
Two full-time teachers work together along with Child Development students to provide a challenging appropriate environment that is responsive to a broad developmental range as well as individual variation. Integral to the success of the program is the reciprocal relationship with the children's families. Teachers work with parents to make decisions about how to best support children's development and learning, and solicit and incorporate parents' knowledge about their children into their planning. Parents are always welcome at the school and are encouraged to participate in numerous activities throughout the year. Conferences, progress reports, and open house events also enrich the relationship between school and home. More information is available in the Windy Hill Brochure.pdf
"Big Ideas": PHOTOGRAPHY
Our long term investigation of photography actually began last year when we first gave the cameras to the children and studied their interaction with this new tool of communication. It was very quickly apparent that we could continue this project for another year or more. During the course of the project, the children learn the parts of the camera and how they are used. Next they were given the opportunity to take pictures, often hundreds of pictures. After taking the pictures they revisit them with teachers and other children and pick out 10 or so of the ones that they find most meaningful.
As the project has progressed college students have added many differnt threads including portrait photography, lights and shadows, newspapers and yearbooks, just to name a few. The children in the class are now the ones that document what is going on in the class and on our field trips.
Journal Stories
Everyday the children move from the kitchen to our front room once they have finished their lunches. This is our "Books and Journal" time. First the children will work in their journals. As the year has progressed the children write more and more of their own stories. We have "Once upon a time" cards on all the tables to help them become more independnet, but the goal at this point is to put together a story that the class can act out. Because of this the majority of the story is still usually dictated. The picture often comes first, then the story. After books and journals we move to the rug to act out the stories that the children have written. Journals are one source we look to find out what may make a good long term project. What follows are some of the children's stories.
Logan
Once upon a time there was a Superhero. But not just any Superhero. It was a tall mean Superhero. The superhero's name was Melissa. A good guy came and sang a jingle.
Maggie
Once upon a time there was an invisible monster and Maggie B. got caught by the monster. Then Maddie P. was invisible and she heard me screaming, "Help! Help!" A horrible storm came and I was locked in the monster's castle for weeks. Maddie P. came to help me and she got me out. But the monster saw us and grabbed me again. Maddie L. was invisible she helped me get out and this time the monster didn't see us and we got out. Then End.
Bailey
Once upon a time there was Hermonie. Then Harry Potter came, then Hagrid. Then there was Ron. Ron went to the store to get a 2000 broom. Then Hermonie made the snake die. The End.
Maya
Once upon a time there was me and Tucker. We were playing Tag. Then a witch came. Then I ran and ran and then the witch caught us. She took us to her castle. She was about to eat us. Then Tucker got out. Then he pulled me out. And then we ran out of the witche's castle. Then they got married. Then we got a baby. We went to sleep. The End.
Patrick
There was a Sea Serpent. Then a snake came in the Jungle. Then a Lion and a Tiger. Then the tiger climbed up one of the bridges. And then the snake died. It was good because he was a poisonous snake.
