Curriculum Overview
The Alexander Robertson School uses a comprehensive language arts model that ateaches students to develop their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills to become effective, literate communicators. Our four block multi-method consisting of self-selected reading, guided reading, working with words, and writing, allows teachers to instruct each child in a far more engaging manner than traditional instruction alone. Each class spends two to two and a half hours each day on literacy, which integrates social studies and science reading selections into the program.
Social studies builds on experiences in and out of school, including the study of different cultures, American history, and map skills. Beginning in kindergarten with the study of the community, we move toward creating knowledgeable, effective citizens of the world.
In science, using the classroom as a laboratory, plants, animals, materials, and experiments are integrated into daily school experiences. Using the scientific method, children learn to observe, formulate questions, collect data, draw conclusions, and make generalizations about the world around them, becoming scientifically literate as well as environmentally conscientious.
Our standard math curriculum consisting of counting, sorting, measuring, graphing, clarifying, estimating, predicting, problem solving, geometry, and algebra is enriched by the use of visual and spatial manipulatives. These tools challenge children to improve their problem-solving, spatial-thinking and mental calculation skills. The children learn to reason logically, accurately, and confidently.
In all curriculum areas, the topics spiral through the grades. Each year, children build on past learning, ensuring deeper understanding.
The Alexander Robertson School's Reading Buddies program, pairing upper and lower grade classes, is successful both as a terrific literacy program and as a school community builder. The children enjoy being together engaged with a good book. The program benefits the older "buddies" as well as the younger children, who enjoy the attention of an upper grade child.
At The Alexander Robertson School, we look for ways to promote collaboration among the classes. Whether it is through joint science experiments, social studies or language arts initiatives such as plays, the children learn to work together. Leadership and cooperative skills are fostered.
Specials enliven and enrich the curriculum. Alexander Robertson's studio art program is renowned for its high quality, sophistication, and attentiveness to the creative gifts of each child.
The beauty and excitement of music are an integral part of life at ARS. Children have music twice a week. Using their voices, Orff instruments, and recorders, they learn the fundamentals of sight singing, reading music, and music history. We also have a popular after school Suzuki violin program.
When our physical education instructor talks about teaching the children to be swift, agile, strong, skilled, and sportsmanlike he uses the word "joy." The children have physical education classes twice a week and enjoy recess in the park each day, weather permitting. While nearby Central Park is the world's perfect playground, the children use our own classrooms and gym for recess in bad weather.
At The Alexander Robertson School we believe that an enrichment program in French is a vital link in understanding the world around us. French language and culture are taught once a week to all grades.
Every week the children go to the Katie Ferguson Library where they follow a curriculum tailored to their grade. In addition, they are given the opportunity to select books to take out for their reading enjoyment.
At The Alexander Robertson School we treasure and enjoy annual traditions. We make a practice of taking the children to orchestral performances, jazz concerts, ballet, art shows, and opera. Our children love their field trips to the cultural attractions of New York City. Our Halloween party, put on by the Parents' Association, is not to be missed. Holiday programs, multicultural celebrations, an annual science fair, poetry month, Spring Fling and end of year festivities help celebrate the accomplishments and the spirit of our children and our school community.
Each Friday morning, the children participate in an assembly program celebrating individual achievement as well as highlighting group spirit, group singing, and group attention to an important issue. We are committed to developing the children's awareness and support of the needs of the world around us. The children participate in several community service projects each year, such as Thanksgiving baskets for the Yorkville Common Pantry, the Heifer Project's "Read to Feed" program, and holiday gifts for children whose parents are in prison. In addition, The Alexander Robertson School has forged a "sister" relationship with The Ministry of Hope Orphanage in Malawi, Africa (www.ministryofhope.org). The Alexander Robertson School raised money and supplies for this orphanage devoted to assisting the youngest AIDS-related orphans. The children of The Alexander Robertson School continue to learn that their efforts can make a difference.