J.K. and S.K. Program
The JK and SK programs build upon the strong ACEC philosophy of student discipline and academic achievement. Our JK and SK programs’ academic component (English and Math) meets or exceeds the Ontario SK and Ontario Grade 1 curriculum. The programs focus on building our students in all aspects.
Languages – English
Young children will develop into strong readers and writers in our positive and supportive learning environment. We focus on the foundational areas of literacy development:
- Alphabet letter knowledge/letter recognition
- Phonological (including phonemic) awareness
- Letter–sound correspondence (phonics)
- Concepts about print and books
- Oral comprehension and vocabulary (listening and speaking, receptive and expressive language)
Children will participate in a weekly reading program and writing exercises. The children are immersed in a state of total reading, including grammar and syntax. Opportunities are provided for verbal and written self-expression. Children will develop literacy skills through activities such as show-and-tell, presentations, group learning, and individual study. The language program is integrated into all areas of classroom learning.
Language – Chinese
Chinese instruction time is part of our daily schedule, where students are taught reading, writing, and conversational skills. We believe fluency and literacy in the mother tongue lay a cognitive and linguistic foundation for learning additional languages. We make every effort to provide children with educational activities that stimulate their physical, socio-emotional and cognitive awareness while contributing to their self-development in the Chinese language.
Mathematics
This program provides an excellent foundation and understanding of mathematical skills, always leading children from the concrete to the abstract. We provide an engaging and encouraging climate for children’s early encounters with mathematics, fostering their confidence in their ability to understand and use it. Our teachers guide children in seeing connections among ideas in mathematics as well as across other subjects, developing their mathematical knowledge throughout the day and across the curriculum.
Mental mathematics will be introduced to enhance flexible thinking and number sense. It also enables students to determine answers without paper and pencil, thus improving computational fluency by developing efficiency, accuracy and flexibility. We also focus on problem-solving skills, as they foster multiple, creative, and innovative solutions. It is our goal to create an environment where students openly look for and engage in finding a variety of strategies for solving problems. Students will learn to explore alternatives, develop confidence, and become cognitive mathematical risk takers.
Practical Life
ACEC has a strong emphasis on proper discipline and independence. Activities are exercises of daily living that assist children in refining motor skills while providing opportunities to care for themselves and their environment. Students acquire grace, courtesy, and control of movement while learning to work independently, develop concentration, and prepare for future learning and specific subject areas.
Arts and Music
We believe early art experiences teach children to think openly, create new meaning, be more tolerant of others’ differences, and give them the courage to take risks. We provide many opportunities for children to learn various arts and music to support their creativity. Children will be exposed to creative arts programs, such as drawing, painting, drama, dance, movement, music, and storytelling, to encourage them to express ideas. We also encourage students to participate in many confidence-boosting events such as music concerts and performances.