The New Village Leadership Academy prides itself on a strong academic program delivered in a variety of teaching methods. The guiding principle of our program is the importance of the individual student in the learning process. NVLA operates within an articulated curriculum for reading and language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, foreign languages, the fine and performing arts, library and technology skills, and physical education. Within this framework, teams of teachers design their program to meet objectives of the curriculum as well as to meet the needs of their individual students.
The core subjects of math and language arts are taught every day for 1 – 2 hours. Science and Social Studies are taught on a rotation basis with a strong concentration on current issues and applications that are affecting the world – such as the use of natural resources. NVLA boasts a one-to-one student to laptop (Apple) ratio, and technology is seamlessly integrated into the class day. Students also attend computer classes twice a week in which they learn keyboarding skills and work on multi-media projects.
The School embraces new, innovative, and diverse experiences to encourage learning. Teachers participate in continuing education to learn alternative teaching methods and review new materials. Faculty are encouraged to share particular talents and interests to enhance the curriculum.
Parents are kept informed of student progress and needs through report cards, notes, formal and informal conferences and telephone consultations. Additionally, standardized test scores for children completing grades two through five are sent to parents.
The following offers a brief synopsis of our curriculum:
MATHEMATICS
The Saxon Mathematics Program is used at NVLA. It is designed to produce a solid understanding of and use of math concepts and application. NVLA’s math program balances a mastery of basic skills with critical thinking and problem solving. It provides opportunities for active multi-sensory, hands-on learning to promote students’ understanding of the concrete realities underlying mathematical concepts. Children begin math instruction in pre-kindergarten and work at an accelerated pace with math instruction taking place every day for one hour. Manipulatives such as counters, place-value rods, shapes and blocks are used in the early grades and progress to items like base ten blocks, fractions strips and decimal squares in the intermediate grades. Technology is integrated into the mathematics program with the use of on-line math programs, statistics and graphing. Exposure to non-linear mathematics and systems thinking is integrated into the sciences, technology and social studies.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Language Arts begins in Pre-kindergarten with exposure to books, reading aloud, and visits to the library. For our language arts program, NVLA has chosen to adopt the Teachers' College Reading and Writing Programs for Fall 2008. Additionally, literature circles with higher level chapter books integrate social studies concepts into language arts. Students develop increasing comprehension skills relating to inference, sequencing, prediction, and character motivation as they explore various genres. The key ingredient of our reading and spelling programs is that it is completely individualized for each child, and pace is set to the exact level of the student.
Writing and grammar are emphasized across the curriculum. Children practice expository writing skills in reports, daily exercises, essays and written responses to questions. Their creative skills are honed by exposure to and practice with short stories, poetry, letters and journals. The handwriting portion of the program is based on D’Nealian writing and focuses on the development of manual skills in pre-kindergarten through manuscript (printing) and then cursive.
Speaking skills are taught informally in class sharing and discussions. Formal instruction is taught via the use of oral book reports, project presentations and speeches. Plays, poetry recitation, debates, and performances for parents are additional opportunities children have for developing public speaking skills. It is our goal that our students become effective communicators who clearly articulate information through speech, writing and the arts, and that they receive, interpret and act effectively on the messages of others.
TECHNOLOGY
NVLA’s 1 to 1 student/laptop program is designed to create a classroom that engages students in an environment where students and teachers have access to a notebook computer as well as digital content and educational software. We believe seamless access to technology improves student academic achievement and enhances teaching to transform the quality of instruction.
Computer instruction begins in Prekindergarten. The use of computers extends across the curriculum. Each student has access to a personal laptop for curricular projects in the classroom. In addition, students work on multi-media and video projects as well as basic word-processing, spreadsheet, and drawing applications. We have seen that the use of technology increases the creativity of learning by fostering experimentation and discovery and while allowing new ways of creating original work. Technology is infused into the day of all students with, for example, digital photography, mechanical engineering, computer programming, projects such as Rock Our World (www.rockourworld.org ), and the use of applications such as Google Earth in Social Studies.
SOCIAL STUDIES
This area of curriculum revolves around spiraling social concepts as the grade level increases. Students study self, family, community, city, country and world. Social Studies lends itself to integration with other curricular areas: music, art, math, technology and language. Field trips enhance the students’ experiences. We design our lessons to foster students’ feeling of responsibility to be contributors to the community. We instill the respect of diverse cultures through teaching and exposure. Lastly, we teach our children how contributing resources and the search for truth and wisdom improves the quality of life for others.
ARTS
NVLA offers its students a very extensive Arts program. Currently the NVLA Arts Curriculum delivers classes in Performing Arts that consist of Theatre Arts (acting, makeup, lighting, costume and set design), Music and Dance. It is also composed of the Fine Arts (drawing, painting, photography, film, arts and crafts). These classes culminate in a variety of events open to the public.
The central event of our school year is our student Film Festival in which students participate in all facets of producing a film (writing, casting, directing, producing, filming, editing and presenting). The purpose of the NVLA Arts program is to bring to the student a high level of awareness of his/her ability to create and exhibit pride in his/her work. Students fully participate in determining the content of many of our projects and are expected to maintain a high standard of quality production. Art instruction is taught utilizing methods of experience, observation and evaluation by children, class discussions, and teacher demonstrations. The curriculum is based on artistic perception, creative expression, historical/cultural context, and aesthetic values which promote looking for the beauty inherent in everything.
MUSIC
Music instruction is structured for movement and participation. The students routinely sing in class and learn performance skills. Listening for moods and instruments is practiced, and critical skills are exercised in music interpretation. Students use the software program, “Garage Band” to learn music composition and participate in projects with schools all over the world.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Leadership and character development through ethical choices is integrated into the curriculum. From their first days on campus, students learn the School’s expectations as outlined in the School’s 3 R’s. This code highlights desirable attributes and responsibilities, which are addressed daily in classrooms and all programs. Weekly all-school assemblies emphasize values of good behavior and community service. The School takes on various service-learning projects that assist the greater community as well as provide our children with opportunities to learn about Los Angeles and about other children in our diverse city.
Students are expected to respect the rights of others, as well as respect civil laws and authority. In addition, students learn from an early age to have regard for school property, others’ property, and to pay attention to others’ feelings. We provide tools and skill sets that enable our students to be cooperative leaders who demonstrate the ability to negotiate and compromise. Teachers talk to students as individuals, much as one would with a close family member, and take each individual into consideration when redirecting behavior. Conflict resolution techniques are used when a student experiences problems with another student.
Our Leadership Development program is a unique aspect of NVLA. Our faculty helps the students make decisions that are in their best interest and in the best interest of the class. As students move from grade level to grade level, being aware of how their behavior impacts those around them is expanded to include how decisions (by both children and adults) can affect the community and eventually, the world.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education is a daily part of each child’s curriculum. Skill development stresses gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination; this moves to more specific skills as children mature. Team sports played include football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, hockey, and track and field. Leadership, sportsmanship, cooperation, empathy and positive self-image are encouraged throughout all grades.
SPANISH
Our Spanish curriculum is based on listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Instruction begins at Pre-kindergarten and is held twice per week. Spanish words are incorporated into vocabulary by building on the English language. The majority of each class is taught in Spanish with music integrated into each lesson.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Beginning in Fall 2008, our After-School Program will be offered. This program provide will consist of various classes on a rotating basis, such as wood-working, etiquette and sports. Our art studio will be open after school until 6 p.m.!
EXAMINATIONS
Our Examinations teacher works in unison with the teachers to help them so that all children are learning, progressing toward their goals, and happy in school.
Upon completion of a subject chapter such as in math, the teacher sends the student to the testing room, where he/she is given an test in various forms. If the student scores anything less than 100%, the examinations teacher will sit down with the student and go over the part of the exam that was not fully understood and make sure the student understands all of the words and concepts in the chapter. The teacher will also make sure the student did not skip any concepts which would inhibit learning. This is done to help students so that they gain 100% mastery. Last, the examinations teacher is also used to make sure that each student is on target in his/her individual school program.
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