The Fives program offers a Kindergarten level curriculum taught in a small, personalized classroom environment, using a hands-on-approach to learning.
Students in Landmark's Fives program work on developing reading and writing skills, perform science experiments and investigate the many centers that make-up their classroom. Each month they explore a different theme such as life underground, mother nature's haunted habitat, extreme earth science, nursery rhymes and fairy tales, or the human body in depth.
At the end of the program, students have completed a full Kindergarten curriculum and can proceed to first grade, although some parents may choose to have their child attend Kindergarten.
Character Development
Emphasis on respect, cooperation, sharing, patience, and being a good friend. Accepts responsibility for one's actions. Demonstrates ability to function as an individual and as a member of a group. Opportunities for self-selection of activities, and self-initiated learning.
Monthly Themes
May include: getting to know you, mother nature's haunted habitat, cultures around the world, nursery rhymes and fairly tales, life underground, tools and machines, extreme earth science, life cycles, and the world of water.
Literacy
Includes special letters and sounds of the week, recognizing upper and lower case letters and "vowel friends".
Progression can include consonant-vowel blends, three letter words, short vowel books, long vowel books and digraphs reinforced through phonics activities, sheets, and games. Children may receive individualized and/or small group instruction to address specific needs.
Math
Skills are developed using math manipulatives, one to one correspondence, graphing, patterning, and sorting. Children learn to recognize and solve problems through active exploration.
Handwriting
A developmentally appropriate program that encompasses tactile wooden pieces, chalkboards and dough, as well as tracing activities to support fine motor skills. Journals, creative writing, book marking, and student mailboxes are used to help foster an interest in writing and phonetic spelling.
Technology
Introduction of computer parts, using a mouse and keyboard to do various games, graphics, and specific activities. Utilization of SmartBoards in our classrooms to explore various subject areas and skill sets.
Art
Includes an artisit study and projects that are self-expressive and process oriented, including easel painting and collages, as well as teacher directed projects utilizing many mediums and resources.
Music
Incorporates the use of both new and familiar songs, tunes, echo songs, and the use of rhythm instruments (drums, bells, triangles, wooden blocks, etc.) and movement.
Physical Education
Develops gross motor skills and coordination - walks a straight line, climbs, swings, runs skillfully, moves rhythmically, stands on one foot, hops, bends, and enjoys ball play with rules, positions, and scoring.
Foreign Language
Counting, learning colors, names of family members and foods, weather terms, and other vocabulary through songs and games.
Science
Opportunities to wonder, ask questions and seek answers about the natural world through observations, experimentation, use of equipment, recording and collecting data.