Programs
Curriculum
Snoqualmie Springs School’s curriculum goes deep into key concepts in math, science and English language arts, following “Common Core” grade level standards outlined by the Washington State Superintendent of Public and Private Instruction. Common Core is a real-world approach to learning and teaching, developed by education experts from 45 states.
Common Core Curriculum Provides:
- Consistent learning expectations for all students.
- Clear standards that focus on understanding over-memorization.
- Emphasis on the critical topics students need to succeed.
- Fast testing results with focused online assessment systems in reading and math (STAR) and keyboarding (Typing Instructor for K-2nd grade).
In addition to the Core elements, SnoSprings students develop an appreciation of the arts, music, physical fitness and good citizenship. The school also respects the diverse population that we serve and encourages families to share their cultural heritage and traditions as enrichment to our social studies curriculum.
The school curriculum meets and exceeds state essential learning and national standards to assure a solid foundation education. The primary grade level curriculum encourages and develops self-confidence and creativity.
SnoSprings School recognizes that music is an important part of a child’s education. We believe that music education fosters community, cooperation and confidence in all students. For these reasons, SnoSprings students attend music class twice a week. Our music program aims to teach the children to understand the elements and concepts of music through a variety of fun activities.
- From the very beginning, our K-Prep students learn fundamentals of rhythm and beat through a variety of percussion instruments and rhythmic speaking all leading to melodic learning.
- Beginning in Kindergarten, our students learn the basics of note reading through learning to play the glockenspiel or soprano recorder. We utilize Barb Phillipak’s Recorder Karate curriculum to motivate students to improve their musical skills.
- First graders continue on their journey through recorder karate and begin to play duets.
- Second graders learn to play the alto and sopranino recorders and perform musical trios.
- All students learn to sing in a variety of languages and are exposed to music, folkdance and culture from around the world.
The SnoSprings community showcases its musical talent through two Songfests (Winter and Spring) that highlight the musical learning at each level. Additional performances are held throughout the year.
The computer curriculum at Snoqualmie Springs School is designed to expand our students understanding of technology (hardware & software) and to support and enhance the curriculum taught in our classrooms. Internet safety and responsibility are also introduced in an age-appropriate manner.
K-Prep students are first introduced to our touch screen tablets. Skills they learn in their classroom, including recognition of numbers, letters, and sight words are reinforced using educational applications. Fine motor coordination is practiced through tracing letters and numbers, and creativity is encouraged. Laptops are introduced the second half of the school year and K-Prep students will learn beginning keyboarding skills and practice using a mouse. Students will also be introduced to graphics using KidPix4.
Kindergarten students concentrate on acquiring beginning technology skills with a strong focus on developing mouse and word processing skills. Students experiment with changing font sizes, styles and colors as well as learn how to insert, size, and position clipart / images, add page borders, and save documents. Students also explore their creativity with the art programs provided on our computers and tablets. Typing Instructor for Kids is our keyboarding program, and it provides a fun way for kids to learn how to type efficiently. IXL is used to practice and reinforce math concepts throughout the year. Students, also, build their reading skills and vocabulary using epicbooks.com.
1st and 2nd graders utilize their foundation in typing and word processing to expand into more diverse skill sets including PowerPoint Presentations, internet research, and programming logic with Code.org. They continue to practice their math, reading, and art skills using our laptops and tablets while exploring new applications and programs carefully selected to challenge them. They build confidence in keyboarding through Typing Instructor for Kids.
All students K Prep through 2nd grade are introduced to coding using Code.org.
The Spanish Curriculum at SnoSprings School uses the Periquitos Spanish Program. Learning a second (or third) language is a great way for children to develop their awareness of the world and increase their learning skills and overall capacity. Research proves that we start developing the foundations for thinking, language, vision, attitudes, aptitudes, and other characteristics at a very young age. In Periquitos, we focus on having your children experience and learn Spanish from the very first lesson.
In our program, we follow the Total Physical Response (TPR) approach. Your children will learn Spanish through songs, body gestures, stories, colorful visual aids, and games. Classes focus on thematic units making activities relevant to real life. Our daily routines are interactive and encourage your children to listen, speak, look, touch, sing, play, create and move.
At Snosprings School, our students attend Spanish classes twice a week.
Our Library at Snosprings offers a welcoming and supportive environment for learners to think, create, share and grow. It is our goal to foster curiosity and a life-long love for reading! We inspire students to take learning into their own hands by teaching them how to access information and apply it in their classrooms and everyday lives. Many reading skills and habits are taught throughout the year and various resources are provided to families to continue their relationship with reading at home.
In our library community, students are able to inquire, include, collaborate, explore and engage. Some skills students practice include: making connections, retelling, character analysis, author’s purpose/craft, book reviews, and compare/contrast. We also focus on many themes like seasonal holidays throughout the year. We explore winter holidays together and discuss their similarities, opening up lots of room for student sharing. Other themes include biographies, non-fiction text features, national month celebrations, Read Across America, author studies, etc.
Students are encouraged to read and apply a variety of texts. With over 3,000 books in our library, students have access to collections of fiction and nonfiction books, along with AR books, Chinese and Spanish language books.
They discover the skills of the IPICK strategy to find books that are at their most accurate reading ability. They learn to check for purpose, interest, comprehension and word accuracy. Students practice locating information while learning about authors and illustrators, genres, series and making connections between texts. Digital resources are also used to better support the topic/skill.
At Snoqualmie Springs School, students attend Library once a week and have the opportunity to check out books expanding and sharing their interest for reading and learning.
The Physical Education program at SnoSprings is designed to promote health and encourage lifelong physical activity. The program aligns with the Washington State Learning Standards for Health and Physical Education.
In our PE classes, students develop a variety of fine and gross motor skills such as throwing, catching, jumping, and running. They do this using a variety of equipment such as bean bags, whiffle balls, jump ropes, playground balls, and foam noodles. Each class enjoys one hour of PE every week.
Teamwork and Sportsmanship are essential components of the SnoSprings’ PE program. The students learn to take turns, cheer on their teammates, problem solve and cooperate. Good sportsmanship and teamwork are modeled and taught through a variety of catching & fleeing games, striking & fielding games, and relays. PE activities take place on our 40’ x 100’ artificial turf field or covered sport court.
The school year concludes with a fun “Field Day” where students will play a variety of games and utilize the physical and social skills gained throughout the school year.
Snoqualmie Springs School
25237 SE Issaquah-Fall City Rd., Issaquah WA 98029
(425) 392-1196
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