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Primary Grades (1-5) |
Pre-School
The goal of the pre-school at Tate's School is to address the developmental readiness of the individual child. Teachers use various methods in the classroom including manipulatives, centers, whole language and hands-on activities. Students also share in exploratory art activities. The primary 
source of learning is from the students' relationship with their physical and social environment. The positive learning experience in pre-school lays the foundation for successful social interaction and strong academic skills needed for a bright future while also instilling a lifelong love of learning.
Transitional Kindergarten (TK)
TK is a hands-on, cooperative learning program that meets and exceeds program standards set by the state. TK focuses on the whole child allowing him/her time to develop emerging skills; strengthen those she may have difficulty with; and enrich skills already mastered; ensuring the joy that comes with being a successful learner, now and in the years to come.
TK offers small class sizes and individualized learning as well as weekly instruction in physical education (PE), art, computer lab, library, music and nature education on our 52 acre campus. Class time focuses on building phonics skills, beginning math skills, science, fine motor skills, handwriting, and character education.
Kindergarten
The method of using centers and manipulatives carries over from pre-school, but the emphasis in kindergarten is academically focused with subject areas in language arts, math, pre-writing skills, science, health and social studies being taught through thematic units. Pre-reading and reading skills are addressed through phonics and literature based lessons. Listening and speaking abilities are also addressed and numerous field trips are used to reinforce concepts being studied in the classroom. Math experiences are reality-based, academically focused, and exploratory in nature.
Primary Grades, First through Fifth
Language Arts
A phonics and sight word based approach is utilized to teach reading. The integration of a basal reader along with a quality literature base is also introduced to students. The emphasis of the reading program is to help children develop a love for reading and to instill a self-motivated desire to seek out reading selections that interest and challenge them. Creative writing expression is encouraged through a variety of forms including journal writing, poetry and self-authored books. English and spelling are taught through texts and are reinforced by additional classroom enrichment. Listening 
skills are emphasized to develop the ability to follow directions, to increase comprehension and to reinforce reading skills.
Math
Students are taught using the Everyday Mathematics program, which is a hands-on, manipulative-based curriculum. The goal of this program is for each student to come away with a firm understanding of mathematical concepts and the ability to apply those skills to real world problems, and situations. Using an instructional method that consistently reviews each mathematical concept improves a child's long-term retention. Most activities in this program cover a wide variety of mathematical views and ideas giving students the ability to apply their skills to multiple subjects such as geometry, measurement, and algebra simultaneously.
In additional to Everyday Mathematics, fourth and fifth grade students complete a supplemental algebra curriculum called Hands on Equations. This program also provides a hands-on approach by using manipulatives to teach students how to balance, evaluate and solve basic algebraic equations.
Students develop an increased awareness of their communities and the many roles required to make it function. On a more global level students gain a greater appreciation for the diversity of cultures. They learn how a variety of factors such as the environment and the supply of natural resources impact the way societies develop and interact with one another. Geography, history and government are also emphasized and brought to life through the use of timelines, map reading projects, and designated field trips.
Science
Using the Scientific Method, students explore topics by experimenting, designing, and completing group and individual projects. Field trips and resource materials further supplement and reinforce concepts. Organizational
skills are developed through note taking, gathering data and graphing. The science curriculum strives to develop the students' analytical thinking skills, problem solving skills and their enjoyment of exploration through science. Tate's also conducts its own annual science fair as well as hosting the annual Tate's Regional Science Fair.Specialty Area Classes
Specialty Area Classes are taught by a highly qualified staff of teachers who strive to bring out the individual strengths of each child in our program.
