Curriculum

A day at Blooming Tree

A typical day at Blooming Tree commences with an energetic morning assembly wherein students pray together, do warm-up exercises, and sing rhymes and songs on the beats of drums and other musical instruments. Assembly time is one of the liveliest parts of the school’s schedule. The children engage in seat work in their respective classrooms, where they are supervised diligently by the facilitators. As the day progresses, a variety of curriculum-based activities such as storytelling, theatre, rhythm, and movement are conducted. Meal times give them a break from seatwork. Wholesome nutritious and hygienic meals are prepared in the school pantry and served in the classes. Children wash their hands, say their prayers, and sit down for hearty meals. The timetable ensures that every child gets ample time for outdoor free play as well.

The Learning Domains

From the curriculum planner’s desk

A child should not be readied for school through drills, rote exercises, and rote memorization. Rather, he or she needs to be raised in a stimulating environment, given age appropriate toys to play with and the freedom to experiment. With the help of her parents, such a child will internalize many – if not most of the skills that serve as a foundation for academics.

All knowledge is interrelated and only by making the interrelatedness obvious to the students can we make the connections that are critical to learning. When students understand how everything fits together, individual content areas become much more meaningful. Consciously planned integrated instruction increases learning and achievement. Integrated instructions allow teachers to save time .Through Integrated multipurpose lessons children learn interdependence of knowledge. Math skills help them solve science problems. Reading and listening keep them informed about the world around them. The children develop a new perspective on unlocking the mysteries of knowledge through the idea of making connections. Interactive illustrations give a new dimension to it. The most important thing that a parent can instill within his or her child is the idea that learning is exciting, enjoyable and something they can possess and cherish through out their life. Theme studies make learning synonymous with exciting, enjoyable, interesting and lifelong.

At Blooming Tree an unconventional integrated multidisciplinary approach to learning is followed which aims to cover all the following developmental domains

LANGUAGE & LINGUISTIC SKILLS

THE LANGUAGE CURRICULUM PROGRESSES FROM LISTENING TO COMPREHENSION TO FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS AND ORAL LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES (RHYME RECITATION, SHOW & TELL, PICTURE READING). THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ALPHABET AND LETTERS IS FOLLOWED BY THE SOUNDS AND PHONETICS LEADING TO PRE-READING SKILLS AND FINALLY WRITING OF THE ALPHABET. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE ORAL LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF LISTENING SKILLS, SPEAKING SKILLS, TO IMPROVE COMPREHENSION AND THE ABILITY TO RELATE EXPERIENCES AND VERBALLY EXPLAIN SELF NEEDS.

NUMERACY SKILLS

THE AIM OF THE NUMERACY CURRICULUM IS TO STIMULATE THE NATURAL MATHEMATICAL MIND OF THE PRESCHOOL CHILD TO MOVE FROM CONCRETE TO THE ABSTRACT WITH THE HELP OF SIMPLE AND COMPLEX PUZZLES. THROUGH THIS THE ATTENTION SPAN OF THE CHILD IS SLOWLY INCREASED SO AS TO PREPARE FOR FORMAL SCHOOLING. CHILDREN EXPLORE THE CONCEPT OF QUANTITY (FEW, LESS, MORE, MANY) AND WITH THE HELP OF MONTESSORI APPARATUS A NATURAL PROGRESSION IS MADE FROM PRE NUMBER CONCEPTS TO INTRODUCTION OF NUMERALS, SHAPES AND KNOWLEDGE OF LENGTH AND DIMENSIONS.

SCIENTIFIC ENQUIRY

IN ORDER TO BUILD A SCIENTIFIC TEMPERAMENT IN PRESCHOOLERS A SERIES OF WELL-PLANNED ACTIVITIES ARE INTRODUCED TO HELP THE CHILD ACQUIRE BASIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HIS ENVIRONMENT. THESE LESSONS ARE EXPERIENTIAL AND THE CHILD GAINS FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SCIENTIFIC PROCESSES HAPPENING IN HIS DAILY LIFE. STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ASK QUESTIONS AND ENQUIRE ABOUT THEIR SURROUNDINGS.

SOCIAL STUDIES

THE SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM INTRODUCES THE STUDENTS TO THE WORLD AROUND THEM. IT CONSISTS OF THE STUDY OF DIFFERENT CULTURES, CUSTOMS, AND TRADITIONS THROUGH FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS. CHILDREN ARE ALSO INTRODUCED TO DIFFERENT LANDFORMS AND WATER FORMS WITH THE HELP OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS.

HEALTH & SAFETY

THE CONCEPT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY IS INTRODUCED IN THE CLASS WITH THE HELP OF PROJECTS AND EXHIBITIONS. THE CHILD UNDERSTANDS WHAT IS HEALTHY AS WELL AS HAZARDOUS FOR HIS BODY AND HEALTH.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE FINE AND GROSS MOTOR SKILLS OF A PRESCHOOLER, A TOTAL PHYSICAL FITNESS CURRICULUM IS FOLLOWED, WHICH COMPRISES OF YOGA, TAEKWONDO, SKATING, AND HOP, SKIP & JUMP ACTIVITIES.

Co-curricular Activities

ART & CRAFT

LITTLE HANDS GIVE WINGS TO IMAGINATION ON CANVAS. A BOX OF CRAYONS, A BLANK SHEET OF PAPER, AND A CURIOUS CHILD……JUST THE INGREDIENTS REQUIRED TO BRING OUT DA VINCI IN YOUR LITTLE ONE. WE BELIEVE IN GIVING AN OPEN CANVAS TO THE CHILD TO HELP THEM GIVE A FREE EXPRESSION TO THEIR VISUAL INTELLIGENCE. AND WHEN AN INNOCENT MIND DABBLES IN CREATIVITY, BE PREPARED, EVEN THE CATS CAN TURN OUT PINK!

POTTERY

THERE IS A GREAT SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT AND ACCOMPLISHMENT WHEN LITTLE CHILDREN CREATE SOMETHING NEW ON THEIR OWN. POTTERY IS ONE SUCH ACTIVITY. CHILDREN WORK ON THE POTTER’S WHEEL AND MAKE A VARIETY OF EARTHEN POTS AND UTENSILS FROM SOFT CLAY. WHILE IT FILLS THEIR EYES WITH AWE, IT ALSO HELPS IN DEVELOPING THEIR MOTOR SKILLS AND EYE-HAND COORDINATION.

GARDENING/NATURE WALKS

SENSITIVITY TOWARDS THE ENVIRONMENT IS A LESSON THAT SHOULD BE TAUGHT EARLY ON. AND WE ADULTS HAVE TO LEAD OUR CHILDREN BY EXAMPLE. THEREFORE THE STUDENTS OF BLOOMING TREES LEARN TO APPRECIATE NATURE, BE KIND TO ANIMALS, AND NURTURE PLANTS AND TREES. WE THINK IT’S REQUIRED IF WE WANT TO HANDOVER AN ABUNDANT PLANET EARTH TO OUR LITTLE ONES. AT BLOOMING TREE A REUSE, REDUCE AND RECYCLE POLICY IS FOLLOWED HENCE FOSTERING ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY BEHAVIOUR IN OUR STUDENTS.

GURUKUL CLASS

GURUKUL PROGRAM AIMS AT THE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD BY INSTILLING IN THEM MORAL AND HUMANITARIAN VALUES AND MAKING THEM AWARE OF OUR RICH CULTURAL AND TRADITIONAL HERITAGE. THIS PROGRAM TEACHES THE CHILDREN THAT “GOD IS ONE “THROUGH INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVELY IMPLEMENTED FUN-FILLED ACTIVITIES. THE STUDENTS LEARN TO BE TOLERANT AND APPRECIATIVE OF ALL FAITHS. IN GURUKUL CLASSES, ALL RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS ARE CELEBRATED WITH EQUAL FERVOUR AND GAIETY, AND STORIES RELATED TO THE PARTICULAR FESTIVAL ARE DRAMATISED. A BLOOMING TREE CHILD IS SPIRITUALLY COOL AND CALM.

THEATRE

THEATRE CLASSES ARE HELD TO ENHANCE CHILD’S SELF CONFIDENCE AND INSTILLS IN THEM POSITIVE SELF ESTEEM. STORIES FROM PANCHATANTRA AND MYTHOLOGY ARE DRAMATISED USING VOICE MODULATIONS AND COLOURFUL COSTUMES DURING PRESENTATIONS AND FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS. APART FROM BEING A VERY ENJOYABLE ACTIVITY, IT ALSO HELPS TO REMOVE STAGE FEAR AND IMPROVES SPEECH AND DICTION. THEATRE GIVES THE STUDENTS A CHANCE TO DISCOVER THEIR HIDDEN TALENTS ALONG WITH IMPROVING THEIR COMMUNICATION AND LINGUISTIC SKILLS.

HOP, SKIP & JUMP

IT IS A UNIQUE PROGRAM DEVELOPED BY BLOOMING TREE TO PROVIDE AN EXERCISE REGIME IN A STRUCTURED FORMAT THAT INCLUDES WIDE VARIETY OF SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES TO BUILD COORDINATION , BALANCE AND CONFIDENCE IN THE CHILDREN. STUDENTS ARE INTRODUCED TO SPORTS AND GAMES SUCH AS HOCKEY, SOCCER, BOWLING, BASKETBALL, CROQUET, VOLLEYBALL , TUG OF WAR AND FLOOR MAT ACTIVITIES. THESE SPORTS ARE PRACTISED BY CHILDREN TO IMPROVE STAMINA, EYE HAND COORDINATION AND BODY BALANCE. THIS TOTAL PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM ALSO HELPS TO BUILD THE CHILD’S SOCIAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS INCLUDING COOPERATION AND LEADERSHIP.

YOGA

SPECIFIC YOGA SCHEDULE IS DESIGNED WHEREIN CHILDREN PRACTISE YOGA ASANAS AND MEDITATE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF TRAINED YOGA TEACHER. THESE YOGA AASANS ARE AIMED TO INCREASE MEMORY AND ABILITY TO FOCUS , BUILD GREATER SELF AWARENESS AND KEEPS TO STAY CALM.

WATER PLAY

WEEKLY SPLASH POOL ACTIVITY IS HELD UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF TEACHER WHERE CHILDREN LOVE TO SPLASH AROUND IN WATER AND PLAY WATER GAMES. THIS ALLOWS THE DEVELOPMENT OF SWIMMING HABIT AND BUILD ON THE ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS .

TAEKWONDO

WITH VARIOUS WARM-UP EXERCISES, A QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR TEACHES THE BASICS OF TAEKWONDO TO STUDENTS. IT HONES THE CHILD’S MOTOR SKILLS AND ABILITY TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. APART FROM TEACHING BASIC PUNCHES, KICKS, ART OF SELF DEFENCE IS ALSO TAUGHT.

SKATING

ADD WHEELS TO YOUR FEET AND LEARN HOW TO SKATE IN THE SKATING RINK OF BLOOMING TREE. WHILE CHILDREN ENJOY LEARNING A NEW ACTIVITY, THEY ALSO TEND TO DEVELOP MOTOR SKILLS, PHYSICAL STRENGTH AND SELF-CONFIDENCE.

OUTDOOR EXCURSIONS

CONCEPTUALIZED AND THEME RELATED PICNICS AND OUTINGS ARE CONDUCTED EVERY MONTH FOR STUDENTS. THESE ARE SHORT TRIPS WHICH HELP TO RELATE TO CONCEPTS INTRODUCED IN THE CLASS AND ARE AN EXCELLENT FORM OF PROMOTING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING. GROUP MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SKILLS ACCOMPANIED BY SELF CONTROL ARE ALSO ENHANCED WITH THIS EXERCISE

LITTLE CHEFS AT WORK

HOW ABOUT HAVING A MEAL PREPARED BY YOUR LITTLE ONE? YES, IT’S TRUE. AT BLOOMING TREE, AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM WE CONDUCT, FLAMELESS COOKERY ACTIVITIES IN OUR CHILD-FRIENDLY PANTRY EVERY MONTH WHEREIN CHILDREN LEARN AND PREPARE A NEW DISH LIKE SALADS, SANDWICHES, ETC.