The primary path provides explicit phonemic awareness taught through Heggerty utilizing a multi-sensory approach. This approach allows students to hear and work the sounds in words within the phonemic awareness lessons, then match the sound to print during phonics instruction. Our hands-on and direct phonics instruction is taught through the Wilson’s Fundations curriculum. Readers and Writer’s Workshop models employed through the Schoolwide, Inc. Reading and Writing Fundamentals and Handwriting Without Tears curriculums. Literacy concepts are taught and practiced in multiple ways (whole group, small group, and individualized interventions) to target multiple learning styles. Students have opportunities to meaningfully engage with content and practice skills and strategies through sensory bins, differentiated literacy centers, and dramatic play. Teachers provide both guidance and immediate feedback during practice so that correct responses are reinforced.

PrePrimary Series Followed:

• Learning without Tears
• Varied Literature 
• Scholastic News: My Big World
• Wilson’s Fundations

Kindergarten Series Followed:

• Reading and Writing Fundamentals (Schoolwide, Inc.)
• Fundations Level K (Wilson)
• Varied Literature

Norwood Fontbonne Academy’s Primary Math Program  is designed to help learners move from basic conceptual understandings towards mastery of specific skills and then apply that knowledge to real-world scenarios and experiences. Students are provided different contexts for students to develop a strong mathematical foundation. 

Our early childhood math program includes: 

• Numeracy skills, addition and subtraction with a focus on base 10 concepts 
• Enabling recognition of flat and solid shapes and their properties 
• Strengthening fluency in basic measurements
• Sorts more complex objects into categories; explains reasoning
• Uses concepts of spatial relationships and ordering
• Use of hands-on materials, digital resources, and projects for instruction
• To enable students to think, reason and communicate mathematically
• To provide different contexts for students to develop a strong sense of number and to master numerical skills

Stepping into a primary math class, you will see students engaging with manipulatives to gain a concrete understanding of abstract mathematical concepts. Students are challenged to explain their mathematical thinking while engaging in discussion about their strategies and approaches to various problems.

Norwood Fontbonne Academy’s primary social studies curriculum provides students with a background in government, economics, geography, and history with the goal of creating global citizens. Students participate in map navigation and creation, study of:

• Civics and Government
  • Principles and Documents of Government
  • Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship
  • How Government Works
• Economics
  • Scarcity and Choice
• Geography
  • Basic Geography Literacy
  • Human Characteristics of Places and Regions
  • Physical Characteristics of Places and Regions
• History:
  • Pennsylvania history
  • United States history
  • Significant state and country symbols

• Seeds
• Saints 
• Feast Days of Saints and Holy Days 
• Bible Stories
• Good Citizenship
• Respect for others
• Kindness

The science program at Norwood Fontbonne Academy pushes students to 

• Matter and Its Interactions
• Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
• Earth’s Systems
• Engineering Design

The 3- 5 yr old  music program strengthens students’ musical knowledge and provides opportunities for students to demonstrate learned skills through movement/motions, singing, dancing  and musical instruments. Students will develop knowledge and skills related to the elements of music, such as steady beat, hgh/low, fast slow, loud/soft, and echo singing. These skills will be demonstrated in classroom activities. 

In art class, our youngest learners are introduced to different artists, art processes and methods.  The teacher shares a passion for the arts and encourages students to try different art mediums and techniques.  Students learn about nature art, sculpture, fiber art, pastels, printmaking, painting, and drawing.  They learn to trust their minds and hands to lead them in their creative endeavors.  The focus for these students is the process.  The goal is less to create a finished product and more to fully experiencing each medium with all its wonderful challenges and surprises.  Students learn that the process of art is part of the fun in creating art.

The Spanish program through 5 years of age instills linguistic/muscle memories that will benefit all language learning pursuits. The following routines, practices, and units take place in and around the target language: yoga, breathing exercises, vowel sounds, the alphabet,  animals, colors, days of the week, months, parts of the body, and basic classroom instructions. Cultural and literary units around Day of the Dead, Feliz Navidad and Three Kings Day begin discussions around Hispanic culture via stories, songs, rhythm, and dance. One of the highlights of this program is without a doubt, our introduction to Afro-latinx identity through the life and legacy of Celia Cruz, “The Queen of Salsa,” guided by: Me Llamo Celia by Monica Brown (all level).

Through Age 5 Spanish curriculum texts include:

• The Afro-Latino ABC Alphabet by José & Keaira Faña-Ruiz (All level)
• Me Llamo Celia by Monica Brown (All level)
• Oso Pardo, Oso Pardo ¿Qué ves ahí? by Eric Carle (All level)

Physical Education at the preschool level is an avenue for engaging in developmentally appropriate physical activities designed for children to develop their fitness, gross and fine motor skills to enable them to participate in games. They learn essential skills to become physically literate. Physical Education activities include Locomotor skills, non-locomotor skills, manipulative skills, balance and dance. The activities will enable the students to participate in the Lower Elementary curriculum.