WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN OUR CLASSROOM
You will see open-ended materials in our classroom as well as real world objects. We want children’s imagination to fuel their use of the materials. We don’t want the manufacturer of the toys to be influencing and dictating the use of specific materials. This kind of environment fosters the joy of lifelong learning as well as helping children become problem solvers and possess divergent thinking skills.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN OUR CLASSROOM
Our schedule provides continuity for the children in our classroom. They know specifically what order things happen in each day. The day is predictable and they are able to count on what will happen each day at school. This allows for smooth transition throughout the entire day. Please understand that our program is child centered and that sometimes we must make adjustments for the well being of all children.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN OUR CLASSROOM
We use open ended materials such as rocks, shells, leaves, pinecones, as well as beads, unifix cubes, and geoboards to count, show one to one correspondence, show measurement-length and width, show identity of shapes, etc. Students will begin to see symmetry and patterns. They will learn basic concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and geometry. This learning will occur by counting and measuring when activities like cooking, water play and making grocery lists happen. We take advantage of natural times like these to teach math concepts while a child is fully engaged so that learning takes place naturally. Each child’s own natural rhythm is respected so children are not forced into work that is meaningless to them.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN OUR CLASSROOM
Our approach to reading is based on a whole language philosophy which includes various strategies to help a reader succeed. This includes using predictable text/rhyming text, pictorial clues, and phonics. Reading is a part of our daily schedule and students can bring home a book of their choice each night. Students will also have a listening center where they can listen to stories and follow along with the text of the book. We want children to be exposed to quality children’s literature and books where reading success is guaranteed. We want children to begin to write in a meaningful way. It is important to allow children to write approximations of a word as they begin to spell. We work with children by helping them hear sounds in a word and by helping them to acquire the tools to find new words for themselves. For example, we help them to develop strategies for finding the spelling of a new word by helping them use a dictionary, asking a friend or teacher to help find the word, or by finding the word in a familiar story. They will also practice writing skills by creating grocery lists, project lists, steps involved in cooking, and in other natural ways that writing occurs. Students will begin writing their own stories by dictating to a teacher/volunteer and then they will begin writing on their own. It is important to understand that children will become readers and writers on their own and in their own time. We want to be there for encouragement but never to push them. Children will learn to read naturally by being exposed to literature. Children learn to talk by listening to others talk to them and it is the same for reading. We are not worried about your child being a reader or writer by some pre-determined deadline that is meaningless. We will just be there to provide the opportunity when they are ready.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN OUR CLASSROOM
We use open ended materials for children to develop their own unique art work. Some examples of the open ended materials are recycled items and items found in nature. Children will be exposed to various art media such as markers, crayons, chalk, charcoals, pastels, colored and drawing pencils, acrylic and watercolor paints, different textures of paper to work with, and clay. Art is an integral part of our curriculum and children can choose to be involved in art projects as much as they desire. We want children to view art as a unique expression of who they are so you won’t see models for children to duplicate, stencils, or coloring books that require children to see art in a specific way.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN OUR CLASSROOM
Students will be exploring nature by taking daily hikes on our trails and through our spring fed creeks. They will be developing a sense of community and environmental awareness by recycling, composting, planting, and maintaining a garden. We have a microscope set up to take a closer look at insects and other creatures found at our school. We will make our own slides to look at, and explore, our surroundings in depth. We have a terrarium set up so we can observe objects from nature in their natural habitat. Students will be learning basic science concepts, understanding what it means to be part of a community, and developing a sense of responsibility and appreciation for our environment.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN OUR CLASSROOM
We will create portfolios for every student in our classroom. We will use these portfolios for assessment and it will be a visual record of your child’s year at school. This is a wonderful way to see a child’s progression throughout a school year. Document boards on our walls will keep families informed of the many projects we are involved in and this will also serve as a record and springboard for further activities and growth. Parent/teacher conferences will be held twice a year but please feel free to schedule a conference whenever you feel that you need one. These assessments will show not only children’s progress but also their processes and their finished products.
To stay in touch on a regular basis with each family, we will send home a weekly folder with a synopsis of the week, art projects, stories, observations, and any other relevant information from the school. These folders will go home on Friday and come back to school on Monday. Please feel free to send notes in these folders as well.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN OUR CLASSROOM
To make our program work, we must truly create a partnership with our parent body. We will need a commitment of time from you. The first item will be to attend an orientation session of what to expect from our school. We want our parent body to become active in the decision making process of our school. We want and value your input. We will like you to commit to coming to a specific number of work days which will be held on a few Saturdays, attend our monthly parent group meetings, and volunteer at the school as your time allows. We also ask that you respect our drop off policy and that you will leave before our morning meeting at 10 a.m. every day so that the group may get started on their daily routine. As always, parents are welcome and encouraged to visit at anytime. We have an open door policy.

THE DISCOVERY SCHOOL

8600-3 WHITE CLIFF DRIVE
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78750
794-1021 van cell: 587-3153
E-MAIL: discoveryschool@yahoo.com
www.discoveryschools.com

Teachers

Kyle Holder: Owner/Director

Home: 443-4098 Cell: 762-3321

Ros Schneider: Educational Director

1410 Ulit St. Austin, TX 78702

Cell: 736-6271 e-mail: rosalindjean@gmail.com

Terra Goolsby: Assistant Director/Master Teacher

4205 Speedway #304
Austin, TX 78751

Home: 775-6158

 

Katie Siddiqui: Master Teacher
1811 Kerr Ave
Austin, TX 78757
Home: 441-7728

 

Kendra Villa: Master Teacher
4802 Candletree Ln.
Austin, TX 78744

Home: 805-509-8140

 

Aaron Toombs: Master Teacher
5102 Greenheart
Austin, TX 78645

Home: 923-6306

After you start attending, half of this deposit is refundable if you give thirty days written notice of withdrawal. The other half is a registration fee. (If you are a current student at CDC, your deposit will roll over to The Discovery School. You will still need to pay the $161.25 registration fee.)