ENGLISHIn the Early Childhood Program for three year olds, students listen to a variety of literature, becoming more familiar with the English language. Students participate in myriad activities that include exploring dramatic play, large and small group language games, and teacher-directed activities. Students are read to frequently and are provided with opportunities to engage in group discussions as well as story telling in order to develop their oral language skills. These are also developed through the memorization of songs and rhymes. Students are provided opportunities to develop an awareness of the importance of print through the use of journals. Students are introduced to the letters of the alphabet by recognizing their names and then learning the letters in their name. Students also have the opportunity to form letters using a variety of materials. They listen to a variety of stories related to a theme and engage in a small discussion making connections to their experiences. Students start to repeat common daily phrases and questions. They acquire new vocabulary through stories, class discussions, and retelling personal experiences. As the year moves along, students engage more and more in dialogue.

MATHIn order to cultivate an in-depth understanding of mathematics, students focus on developing their process skills through mathematical practices. They make sense of problems and persevere in solving them, reason abstractly and quantitatively, and construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Students model with mathematics and use appropriate tools strategically. They attend to precision, look for and make use of structure and look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Process skills are the essential elements for the mastering of math and will be developed through the content shown below.

EC3 students are introduced to number recognition, identifying and quantifying numbers through the use of a variety of concrete material within 5. Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between numbers and quantities to 5 and connect counting to cardinality with a variety of hands-on activities.

EC3 students use numbers (0-5) including written numerals to represent quantities and counting objects. Students also demonstrate an understanding of addition and subtraction by using objects and fingers within 5.

The EC3 students identify, compare, and sort two dimensional shapes and objects, in different sizes, using informal language to describe their similarities, differences, and

other attributes (e.g., color, size, and shape).

SCIENCEIn EC3 we focus on developing the following science and engineering practices or skills:

• Asking questions and defining problems

• Developing and using models

• Planning and carrying out investigations

• Analyzing and interpreting data

We develop these skills by studying the following content areas:Physical Science: Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions; EnergyLife Science: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and ProcessesEarth Science: Earth’s Systems; Earth and Human ActivityEngineering and Technology: Engineering Design

SOCIAL STUDIES

The EC 3 Social Studies Curriculum allows the students to gain a better understanding of self-concept and build self-confidence through positive interactions with others. It highlights the importance of understanding their own feelings and the feelings of others. Through thematic activities about community helpers, cultures, and friendship, students develop important social skills. Through active discussions, learning activities and role-play, students are given the opportunity to imagine themselves in multiple roles of society and to examine situations from another individual’s perspective. Through dramatic play, interactive learning activities and daily routines, students acquire sharing and cooperative skills, a notion of positive behavior, mutual respect and the importance of rules.

PNLIn EC3, Portuguese has three main goals:

• oral expression,

• the development of fine motor skill and

• some knowledge of Portuguese culture.

This learning takes place through fun activities – stories, songs, movement and traditional games, and arts and crafts. Portuguese themes

are usually related to general classroom themes. Being a bilingual program, themes

are developed with the students in both Portuguese and English.

Both native and non-native Portuguese speakers are included in the same lessons, and through their interactions, children develop both their vocabulary and their ability to construct their spoken Portuguese in more correct and complex sentences. Their introduction to Portuguese culture is approached in the same fun and dynamic way.

ARTEC3 artists start to explore

four artistic processes: Create, Perform, Respond,

and Connect. The art curriculum provides the

students the opportunity to experiment with

a variety of art materials

and techniques. Emphasis is placed upon the child’s

physical and mental development and upon

the creative process rather than upon the finished product. Students are given the opportunity to create their own art using a wide variety of resources, as well as developing their fine

motor skills. Art is included across the curriculum,

providing students the opportunity to

experiment with art in a variety

of curricular areas. Artwork is displayed

throughout the year outside the EC3 classroom.

MUSICEC3 musicians start to

explore four artistic processes: Create,

Perform, Respond, and Connect. They explore

these processes through their voices, bodies, and instruments. Free play,

creative movement, and games are utilized for students to become

more comfortable with their musical

environment. There is also a

strong emphasis on learning Nursery

Rhymes to not only develop musical skills but also to enhance

vocabulary and linguistic ability. Themes in music are planned to coincide

with units of study in the homeroom class. The

students perform multiple times a year for in-school assemblies and occasional Informances, during which

parents are invited to watch and participate in a

music lesson.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT)Students acquire the age-appropriate technology and media skills while making strong connections, specially linked to Units of Inquiry. Using the bee bot, a programmable toy, students use directional commands to move the bee bot in a simple path.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE)EC3 Physical Education curriculum promotes the first contact with physical activity. This

first approach is done through fun activities, in a safe and controlled environment. Students are introduced to activities that will let them apply their locomotors

skills, physical capacities, and motor abilities. Class activities will be mostly space awareness games, ball handling skills, obstacle course or gymnastic skills course. All of these activities will be performed at an introductory level. In this age group, most of all, we value the child’s comfort and safety in class.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

THREE YEARS OLD (EC3)

is a student-centered educational community in which we challenge ourselves and each other

to do our best and to make positive contributions to our diverse and ever-changing world.

EC3

REVISED JULY 2017

CURR

ICU

LUM

OVE

RVIE

W

Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL)

Curriculum OverviewEarly Childhood