Primary

first – third grade

At Marvelously Made – the School for Young Children we have multi-age classes by design.  We know through research and experience that not only do multiage classrooms work; they work beautifully. Having a mix of ages, supported by teachers that meet each student’s learning needs, in an experience-based environment where the children are given time, space, and support to build academic skills, emotional intelligence, and social skills is the only way to educate the WHOLE child.
 

The Primary Class (traditionally 1st-3rd grade) consists of up to forty children with four teachers. Within the classroom, the children are separated into smaller groups according to each child’s developmental stage.
Groups are named accordingly:
Oaks – typically children in first grade
Maples – typically children in second grade
Willows – typically children in third grade

Our Rhythm of The Day

Rather than a strict schedule we opt for a routine that we call the “Rhythm of the Day”.  This allows for a predictable flow of each day while still providing the children with time and space to accommodate conversations and deep involvement in working and learning.

Here is our daily rhythm:

  • 1. Arrival and First Work Block

    The Oaks start their day in the Outdoor Classroom connecting with their peers and beginning their daily work by participating in free play, large art, science experiments, and nature explorations.
    The Maples and Willows start their day inside connecting with their peers and focusing on their daily indoor work projects (handwork, math and literacy instruction and activities, art, and reading).
    Small groups of children are invited to join the teacher for direct instruction in math, science, and language arts throughout the Work Blocks both inside and outside.

  • 2. Snack and All-Group Gathering

    All groups come together inside to enjoy their snack, share stories, celebrate birthdays, and build community.

  • 3. Second Work Block

    The Oaks remain in the Indoor Classroom to focus on their indoor work projects (handwork, math and literacy instruction and activities, art, and reading).

    The Maples and Willows move to the Outdoor Classroom where they participate in free play, large art experiences, tinkering, science experiences, and nature explorations.
    In both the Indoor and Outdoor Classrooms, children receive direct small-group instruction in math, science, and language arts.

  • 4. All-Group Gathering

    The children all come together to listen to a read-aloud before leaving for the day.

Curriculum in Primary

One of the incredible things about Marvelously Made is that we are able to write our own curriculum!  Our staff is extremely knowledgeable about early education and child development and is able to put that knowledge into practice as they develop lessons and choose activities that are relevant, exciting, and meaningful to the class as a whole and to individual children.  Each of the teachers in the Primary class holds a degree in education and is certified to teach in Texas.  Our Curriculum Framework (yearly overview of concepts taught) is aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and incorporates supporting the development of social skills and emotional intelligence. Below is a brief explanation of some of our curriculum areas.

Curriculum at
the Cottage

Curriculum is a plan for learning.  One of the incredible things about Marvelously Made is that we are able to write our own curriculum!  Our staff is extremely knowledgeable about early education and child development and is able to put that knowledge into practice as they develop lessons and choose activities which are relevant, exciting, and meaningful to the class as a whole and to individual children.  Each of the teachers in our Kindergarten and Primary classes holds a degree in education and is certified to teach in Texas.  Our Curriculum Framework (yearly overview of concepts taught) is aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and incorporates supporting the development of social skills and emotional intelligence. Below is a brief explanation of some of our curriculum areas.

MATH

Children continue to build on their knowledge and learn new mathematical concepts through direct instruction,
group discussions, games, and practice. The Marvelously Made approach emphasizes the development of
mathematical thinking skills because math is more than just figuring out the answer; it’s about understanding how to solve problems in creative and practical ways. The children move from working with manipulatives (including wooden cubes, counting rods, Rekenreks, and base ten blocks) to demonstrating their learning through writing traditional equations in individual Math Journals.

 

MATH

Children are introduced to Math concepts (sorting, patterning,  addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) through storytelling with a miniature, magical town we call Math Land.  Math Land is available all year to explore and play with as we apply different math stories to each of the characters. Math Land provides a concrete foundation of math terminology and processes that the children will benefit from as they advance through the development of mathematical thinking skills and learning math processes.

You will also find the children of the Green House involved in many, many math games that allow them to master math concepts, make logical thinking connections, and build social awareness as they win, lose, and reach goals together. We utilize many hands-on materials to facilitate math learning for our K/1 class.  Some of the materials which support our math curriculum include rekenreks, unifix cubes, ten frames, and subitizing cards.

Reading + Writing

Learning to read is a very individual journey and we honor that process by encouraging a love of language through storytelling, dictations, tall tales, and sharing riddles, in addition to direct phonics instruction. Reading lessons are practiced through games and activities that are woven throughout the day. Reading assignments are customized to match each child’s developmental ability. At Marvelously Made we don’t just want children to learn to read, we want them to LOVE reading!

Handwriting skills are cultivated through journal writing, handwork experiences, and direct teacher instruction.
Second-year students begin learning cursive and continue lessons through their third year in the class.

Reading + Writing

As we nurture a love of language we facilitate learning to read.  Learning to read is a very individual journey!  As we explore letters, letter sounds, blending sounds, and other phonics rules, the teachers support and challenge each child at their own level as they build their skills and confidence inspired by his/her interests.   Reading together for pleasure, playing with language through poetry readings, learning chants, rhymes, and songs, taking story dictations from the children, and writing Story Plays are some of the ways we stir a desire in each child to love reading and to want to learn how to read!

Handwriting is such an important skill! Before children can write they must have strong hands, developed vision, shoulder stability, eye-hand coordination, mastery of mark making, and an interest in letter formation.  Children at Marvelously Made  manipulate clay, sew, (to strengthen hand and finger muscles), build letters with wooden piecses and so much more as we support a solid development of handwriting for each child.

Ideas on Paper

The children spend time writing, dictating, and illustrating stories. Getting ideas onto paper is crucial for confidence, building connections, and self-expression.  We make time for all of these things as part of our daily learning.

Share Books

Share Books are child-appropriate research projects. They are another engaging and valuable way we support interesting and authentic learning at Marvelously Made.  Through the use of Share Books, the children become the teachers as they share information about a topic that interests them with the class. From brainstorming and research to presenting their information and asking and answering questions, Share Books build so many important skills! 

Book Club

Several times a year the children and parents are given a book to read at home. The children come to school one evening, in their pajamas, to discuss the book and enjoy snacks and an activity inspired by it.

Science + Social Studies

Science and Social Studies learning are embedded into our environment in purposeful ways. Our wide variety of animals (chickens, a tortoise, bunnies, aquatic frogs, and more!) give the children real-life interactions with and opportunities to develop kindness towards all creatures as they enjoy them and begin to understand the responsibility of caring for and respecting them.

Throughout the year we garden together in our Outdoor Classroom. We study and make maps as we learn about our neighborhoods and state. Our teachers are responsive to the children’s interests in all of these areas; creating an environment for authentic learning across the curriculum.

Science + Social Studies

Science and Social Studies learning are embedded into our environment in so many purposeful ways. Our wide variety of animals (chickens, a tortoise, bunnies, aquatic frogs, and more!) give the children real-life interactions with and opportunities to develop kindness towards all creatures as they enjoy them and begin to understand the responsibility of caring for and respecting them.

Throughout the year we garden together in our Outdoor Classroom. We study and make maps as we learn about our neighborhoods and state. Our teachers are responsive to the children’s interests in all of these areas; creating an environment for authentic learning across the curriculum.

Nurturing Creativity

At Marvelously Made we encourage and create time for lots of creative work throughout each day.  We know that children are made to create!  During our days the children paint, build, watercolor, sculpt, glue, glitter, cut, color, and paste! We explore art techniques as we learn about art and artists. 

Nurturing Creativity

At Marvelously Made – the School for Young Children we encourage and create time for lots of creative work throughout each day.  We know that children are made to create!  During our days the children paint, build, water color, sculpt, glue, glitter, cut, color, and paste! We explore art techniques as we learn about art and artists.  We sew and knit and learn how to “Paint with Crayons”.  Each piece of art is unique and important because we know that “Every Child is an Artist” (Picasso) and “Art is Anything You Can Get Away With” (Andy Warhol)!

Marvelously Made is truly a school that makes learning fun,
meaningful, and interesting!  

We would love an opportunity to show you the Marvelously Made Difference!

Schedule A Visit!