Leach Early Childhood Center
Margolin Hebrew Academy opened its first pre-school class in 1949. Our highly
regarded Leach Early Childhood Education Center provides careful supervision in
a loving and nurturing environment. The program's educational philosophy is
that children learn as they learn best, by use of their senses and hands-on
experiences. Classrooms are divided into learning centers well stocked with the
latest learning aids, books, toys, and puzzles for each age group. There is a
strong emphasis on integration of general studies, Judaic studies, Torah values
and Hebrew language within the curriculum.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is that pre-school should be a happy time--full of fun, magical
moments, new discoveries and adventures in learning. Throughout the years we
have observed that in the proper environment and with proper guidance, happy
pre-schoolers develop into happy elementary school students, which lays the
foundation for a lifetime of positive educational experiences.
Our Goals
The Leach Early Childhood Education Center's objective is to help each child
develop his/her own personality while broadening his/her interests, curiosity,
creativity, confidence and social competence. Our program provides an
enthusiastic environment that facilitates such learning. Living the cycle of
the Jewish calendar, pre-schoolers eagerly explore the world in which they
live. Thematic units, integrating secular and Judaic concepts, teach children
how to work together while learning skills and values that will benefit them
throughout their formal education and their lives.
Our Curriculum
To achieve these goals our preschool curriculum addresses six areas of
development:
-
Academic: Our successful academic program brings language and
literature to life for children and develops their handwriting, number
recognition, counting and computer skills. Through multi-sensory activities,
letters, letter sounds and phonics are introduced to build a strong foundation
for future readers and writers. Students are reading and writing in English-and
many in Hebrew too--by the end of kindergarten.
-
Social: We help our students feel comfortable in school, trust
their new surroundings, make friends and feel they are part of the group.
-
Emotional: We help our children feel pride and
self-confidence, develop independence and self-control and have a positive
attitude toward life.
-
Cognitive: Students are encouraged to try out their own ideas
and experience success in order to become confident learners. They acquire
learning skills such as problem solving, asking questions, and using words to
describe their ideas, observations and feelings.
-
Physical: Through our formal physical education program and
non-structured play activities, our children increase their fine and gross
motor skills and develop self-confidence in these areas. Our state-of-the-art
outdoor playground has separate areas for pre-schoolers and elementary
students. Our gymnasium is used for physical education and indoor recess and is
equipped with riding toys, balls and other recreational equipment to further
develop their gross motor skills.
-
Religious: Through songs, projects, discussions and
role-playing our students experience the intense joy of learning and living
their rich Jewish heritage. A love for Israel and its importance in Jewish life
is developed from the youngest age.
Our Format
Although students may join at any time, our pre-school program is designed as a
three-year progressive program starting at age three and continuing through
kindergarten to take full advantage of our dual curriculum. Pre-K-3 and pre-K-4
classes are held five days a week from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Students rotate
between learning centers to receive a full complement of both Judaic and
general studies throughout the entire day. Kindergarten is held five full days
a week from 8:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. (early dismissal on Friday is adjusted
seasonally) and is divided into two-half day sessions. The morning session is
usually devoted to Judaic studies and Hebrew language, while the general
studies curriculum is taught in the afternoon.
Our Faculty
Our dedicated educators have earned professional degrees and/or teaching
certificates and have from 7 to 30 years of experience in the educational
field. They keep up to date with current trends in early childhood education by
attending seminars sponsored by the National Association for the Education of
Young Children (NAEYC), Memphis Association for the Education of Young Children
(MAEYC), Tennessee Childcare Provider Training (TN-CCPT) and Coalition for
Alternatives in Jewish Education (CAJE) and the Memphis Jewish Federation.
Program Highlights
A typical day provides many opportunities for your child's development.
-
Circle Time-sharing special thoughts, news and events as a group.
-
Tefilla-a joyous time of singing and learning basic prayers.
-
Centers-Rotating between different activities such as block building, art
projects, creative dramatics, reading, science and math-based activities,
Hebrew and English language development games and exploring Jewish themes.
-
Parsha and Jewish holidays-the Bible and Jewish laws and customs are explained
and enriched with colorful artwork, music and special activities that elucidate
the joys of the Jewish life.
-
Shabbat Party-Each Friday morning the children get into the spirit of Shabbat
by simulating a traditional Shabbat dinner, including Kiddush, Hamotzi and
songs.
-
Specialties-Physical education, library and computers enhance the classroom
curriculum. Formal art classes begin in kindergarten.
-
Field trips-extend and reinforce classroom lessons.
Of course, clean up, snack time, restroom time, recess, lunch and rest time are
also important and integral parts of the day.
Program Continuity
Most Margolin Hebrew Academy kindergartners ascend fearlessly into first grade.
They are familiar with their surroundings and some of the teachers; and many
have siblings in the elementary school and friends who were with them in the
Early Childhood program.
The elementary school curriculum includes the content areas of social studies,
science, language arts, mathematics, art, music, physical activities and in
depth study of primary Jewish texts, such as Chumash (Bible) and Navi
(Prophets), in addition to Halacha (Jewish laws and customs), holidays and
Hebrew language. Like the Early Childhood program, the elementary program
intertwines Jewish and general studies and Torah values, taught side by side,
in a positive, welcoming environment.
It is our aim to give each child the best education possible. We are very aware
that children differ in their learning styles and academic ability. The
administration and teachers are always available to meet with parents and
proactively work towards their child's success in the school.
The Leach Early Childhood Center is a state-licensed, independent pre-school that has consistently received the maximum three-star rating from the Tennessee Dept. of Education. We are also the only Jewish pre-school in Memphis accredited by SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools).
|
 |
Click on
Image for a larger view
|
