|
The Faculty of the junior school believes that children learn best in a
nurturing environment, which is safe,
joyful and intellectually challenging. Development and academic
considerations shape decisions about the curriculum, organisation and day-to-day life
throughout school.
At every age level within the first
programme, an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning is
coupled with special consideration for each child's individual interests
and development of community responsibility. Positive feedback given to
children based on their own efforts, ideas and accomplishments as well
as respectful acceptance of a child's feelings, help first programme
youngsters to meet challenges with the persistence and optimism
necessary to develop competence, confidence and self-esteem.
|
 |
|
THE FIRST
PROGRAMME |
|
Following the guidelines established by NMS the teachers have created a
curriculum consisting of language arts, environmental studies and
mathematics in conjunction with specialists in music, art, science,
library and physical education.
Top |
|
LANGUAGE ARTS |
|
NMS's
language arts program builds on the children's existing
knowledge and rich linguistic experience and focuses on developing an
increased competence in the use of the language arts, speaking and
listening, reading and writing.
The first
to third programme children take time to settle. English being a foreign
language, but once settled they quickly take to it through rhymes,
story-telling, reading, and recounting experiences.
Early
literacy skills are supported as the children are exposed to a variety
of literatures. The children are encouraged to keep journals with their
own story or group poems. Display boards in classrooms reflect the
varied interests of the children, and act as positive re-enforcement,
and encouragement from their teachers and their own peer-group. Maximum
attention at this stage is to be given to the basic fundamentals of
Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Oral Skills form the keystone
of the language arch. Vocabulary games give both skill and fun and
games.
Top |
|
MATHEMATICS |
|
Mathematics is approached in a developmental sequence, which begins by utilising the children's first hand experience to form the basis of
their learning and understanding. The thrust of the programme is on
thinking, analysis logical thinking. Problem solving and number
relationships are emphasised. Teachers use concrete examples manipulated
with the students to help internalise mathematical concepts. At all
levels, students work on the four major operations in arithmetic as well
as measurement, fractions, two and three-dimensional geometry and
estimation. The teachers aim at making children realize the transfer
effect of studying Mathematics.
Top |
|
SOCIAL STUDIES |
|
The
Social Studies curriculum is a vehicle for discovery and is designed to
help develop the children's understanding of themselves as individuals,
as members of various groups within society, and as members of a global
community. The first grade program begins with exploring the family unit
and then focuses on the wider community including the neighbourhood
surroundings of NMS and other city institutions. In the second and third
grade the curriculum is designed to provide a conceptual framework for
observing different cultures. Computers are used to map out projects and
students visit a variety of cultural institutions on field trips during
their explorations.
Top |
|
SCIENCE |
|
First
programme students go to the laboratory during their weekly
schedule to explore, observe,
experiment and develop the skills they will need to move into the middle
school science programme. First graders study biology, chemistry and
physics specifically exploring solids, liquids and gases before moving
on to study the human body and then biology. Second graders continue to develop their scientific
investigation skills, learning to formulate hypotheses, design
experiments and maintain data records as they found on such units as the
school ecosystem. Third graders continue to explore chemical, physical
and biological phenomena and concentrate on mastering important
experimentation skills through a variety of topics such as the
properties of matter and the study of the water cycle, water harvesting
etc etc.
Top |
|
THE ARTS |
|
The Art Studio at the first
program is an exciting and comfortable place for children, the space
designed so that material and tools are easily accessible. As the
children build upon their art experiences, they become increasingly
familiar with each process, gain in their mastery of technical skills
and apply their more advanced knowledge to their individual efforts of
creative expression.
The goals of the art
curriculum are mastery of skills, accessibility to personal image making
independence, global awareness and respect, not only for materials but
for each other's work as well.
Drawing & Painting,
Classical Dance & Music (Instrumental & Vocal), Folk Dance, Western
Music and Musical instruments form an essential part of the Music
Programme. Each individual in a class is given full freedom of choice of
the form he/she would like to specialise in, and in the process each
group/tutorial consists of 5 to 6 children who get very special and
focused attention. Parents are kept informed about the child's progress,
and from time to time are invited to special shows sponsored by the
tutorial. Theatre received special attention being the root of effective
communication, expression, graceful and correct movements, rhythm and
timing. Operas and plays by the classical and outstanding dramatists are
a must for the NMS Drama Society. Experts from Mumbai and the National
School of Drama are invited to direct the plays. This directorial
venture acts as a workshop for teachers who are interested in Drama, and
they in turn raise the level of the imaginative use of the language.
As first program, children
have music at least once a week. Movement activities, ringing games and
the use of instruments introduce the different elements of music.
Students participate in - group singing and sing-a-songs. They are
frequently taught special songs related to their classroom work. NMS's
first programme chorus for the first third graders will be enjoyed by
many students and performed throughout the school year.
Top |
|
PHYSICAL EDUCATION |
|
Physical activity is part of
every day life at Neerja Modi School. First Grade students enjoy a
curriculum, which includes fall skills, movement education, gymnastics,
and team activities. In the second and third grade they are introduced
to the skills associated with team sports which include football,
hockey, cricket and volleyball, basketball, badminton. NMS's students
physical education classes take place on our large 22 acres campus,
and are guided by trained coaches.
Fitness is an integral part
of the physical education routine. At each level of the first program,
students participate in exercise routines armed at increasing their
flexibility, upper body strength and cardiovascular endurance. The
program develops students' skills so that they can partake in and enjoy
games and sports events designed to inculcate sportsmanship, grace and
athletic ability.
Top |
|
