Makerspace & Design Thinking Initiative:

The Preschool Makerspace provides hands-on, creative ways to encourage students to design, experiment, build and invent as they develop independence, and self-regulation. Prekindergarten students design thinking challenges are integrated into their center time. Kindergarten students are taken to the Makerspace during their center time. 

Sample Projects:

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Trees
After reading the book, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, students design a way for the letters to be off of the ground with the materials provided. 
Materials Needed: small cube blocks, popsicle sticks, small letters 
Skills and Concepts Introduced: Problem solving 

21 Elephants
During the study of letter E, students read 21 Elephants. 
Materials Needed: plastic cups, popsicle sticks, toy elephants 
Skills and Concepts Introduced: Counting, problem solving, collaboration 

Jennie’s Hats ~ Ezra Jack Keats
During the Prekindergarten author study of Ezra Jack Keats, students retell Jennie’s Hats. A discussion of the book will follow as well as a brainstorming session on how to create a hat. 
Materials Needed: All materials available
Skills and Concepts Introduced: independence, coordination 

Gingerbread Man
After reading The Gingerbread Man, students discuss alternate endings to the book. “How can we save the gingerbread man from being eaten by the fox?”
Materials Needed: Popsicle sticks, clothespins, gingerbread man, paper cut into water  
Skills and Concepts Introduced: collaboration, problem solving

“I can make” Monsters
Students pick 7 cards that specifies what materials to use and how many of each material to create a silly “monster.” 
Materials Needed: Cards, pipe cleaners, bottle caps, pom poms, playdough, swabs, straws, buttons, googly eyes
Skills and Concepts Introduced: working independently, numeral recognition, counting

5 Little Pumpkins Gate
After singing the “Five Little Pumpkins” song, students problem solve, "The pumpkins are on the floor and we need them off the floor.” 
Materials Needed: 5 small real pumpkins per center, popsicle sticks, clothespins, toilet paper rolls
Skills and Concepts Introduced: collaboration with a group, communication

Float a Penny
In connection with Prekindergarten study of sink and float, each student designs a prototype and tests it in a bucket of water. Once successful, they float their design in the fountain in the main courtyard.  
Materials Needed: Recyclable materials and containers foil, tape
Skills and Concepts Introduced: collaboration, communication, working independently

Design An Insect
At the end of the Prekindergarten study of insects, students design and create an insect out of recyclable materials, then look for three body parts and antennae.  
Materials Needed: All materials in the Makerspace are available for this challenge.
Skills and Concepts Introduced: Independently working

Design Balcony 
Students work in a group to brainstorm ideas on designing our Prekindergarten balcony. Each group will create their vision out of recyclable materials, and then present their idea to the class. 
Materials Needed: All materials in the Makerspace are available for this challenge.
Skills and Concepts Introduced: Collaboration

Build Rainbow
Students assemble a rainbow in the correct color order that can stand on its own, then estimate how many pennies (gold) can be supported by their design. 
Materials Needed: pipe cleaners, pennies, playdough
Skills and Concepts Introduced: working independently

Design Leprechaun Trap
Collaborating with the 4th graders, each group brainstorms and draws out a design, collect materials, and work together to create their design.  
Materials Needed: All materials in the Makerspace are available for this challenge.
Skills and Concepts Introduced: collaboration, communication 

Billy Goat Gruff 
During the Kindergarten study in Reading Workshop on Billy Goats Gruff, students discuss the book and an alternate ending. “How can we get the billy goat across the “water” without touching the water?”
Materials Needed: Popsicle sticks, clothespins, small toy goat, “water” from paper
Skills and Concepts Introduced: Communication, problem solving 

Religion & SOPHIE'S SPIRIT

The Preschool Religion program endeavors to develop awareness that each child is special and created by God. It promotes an understanding of the love of God for each child, encourages love of others, and celebrates the gift of life.

This is accomplished primarily through storytelling using the Bible, religious books, and Rosie-Posie stories (a Sacred Heart tradition), various forms of prayer, art, music, and the celebration of liturgical seasons and feasts.

The children learn that as members of God's family, all have special jobs to do: pray, love one another, share, and care for the earth and all the gifts God has created.

Sophie's Spirit
Inspired by our foundress, St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, Sophie’s Spirit is a campus ministry club open to 3rd and 4th graders designed to develop leadership, planning, and public speaking skills while enriching the spiritual life at the Mater Campus.

Literacy: For the Love of LEARNING

What is literacy at Sacred Heart?
In the preschool and lower school, literacy is interwoven into all facets of our day. Literacy at Sacred Heart is more than just learning to read and write; it is learning how to become joyful, engaged, critical readers. It is learning how to express oneself both orally and in writing. It is learning how to interact with the world of literacy.

How is literacy different at ASH? 
Our balanced approach to literacy includes multiple components including Reading and Writing Workshop as well as Wilson Fundations. However, it isn’t just our curriculum that makes literacy at ASH special –– it’s how we use those different facets to create a blended, cohesive approach that allows reading, writing, speaking, and listening to come together as one. Our units are created to allow not only extensive crossover between the different subjects, but also to foster and encourage individuality as learners. We teach readers and writers, not a curriculum.

What kind of activities do students do in relation to literacy at ASH?
Students learn to take control of their own reading and writing, and as a result, take control of their learning. Each day, students are introduced to a skill in each subject area, given the opportunity to practice that skill with their peers, with teacher support, and independently, as well as receive direct one-on-one instruction on additional skills that meet their individual needs. Every day, students read and write up a storm, and they love doing so.

Why is literacy an important foundation for the rest of their education at ASH or as a person?
The foundation that the preschool and lower school provides in literacy sets the stage for these students as readers, writers, speakers, and listeners for the rest of their lives. Beyond just reading and writing words, they learn to engage with a variety of texts, listen attentively and synthesize information, and express themselves clearly. These skills make all the difference as the students move down the Avenue into the Rosary Campus and beyond.

THE MATER CAMPUS LIBRARY

The Mater Campus library program in Preschool seeks to develop a love of reading and storytelling, story-acting, library and reference skills, and care and use of books. Preschool students look forward to storytelling time and to acting out nursery rhymes and nursery tales. Finger plays, singing games, and other activities are all part of their language arts and reading readiness development.

Kindergarteners are excited by the new privilege of checking out books to take home and read. The library curriculum is integrated with the classroom curriculum so that the books selected for library classes reinforce and enhance classroom units and activities.

ASH Guest Authors and Speakers series engage our students with storytelling, book mock up and development, and inspiring a culture of reading curiosity.

The Birthday Book Club continues to be enthusiastically received by all the children and provides the best of award-winning and outstanding new books for the school’s collection.

The proceeds from the Sacred Heart Book Fair (open to the wider public community) enable the school to host author and illustrator visits which are wonderful enrichments to the library program. The library is most grateful to the parents who present and support the annual Book Fair.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)

STEM engineers at Academy of The Sacred Heart dive into the world of STEM taking on challenges, experiments, and design thinking to expand their everyday thought process. We explore using the scientific method and observe the world around us. Focusing on sustainability and making the world a better place by creating trash collectors and exploring an animals natural habitat.

What is STEM at Sacred Heart?
In the STEM Department we try to expand each students’ way of thinking. By solving everyday problems and inventing new ways to make things better.

Why is STEM important to ASH? Or: Why is how we teach STEM special at ASH?
Students are introduced to design thinking starting at pre-k and goes through 12th grade allowing their mind sets to grow with them. 

What kind of activities do students do in relation to STEM at ASH?
From the moment students enter the STEM zone students are asked how they would make the world better. Through a series of questions and challenges we engage in everyday problems the students can see get better because of them. Such as creating trash collectors to help save animals in a pound or reusing recycled paper from their own classrooms. 

By the end of the year, what do students know about STEM?
Students realize they can make a difference and they can help make this world better from their ideas and hard work.

Why is STEM an important foundation for the rest of their education at ASH or as a person?
We see girls realize things are difficult every day, but through their STEM mindset, they think it through and don't give up. They know if it is not what they want or they realize it can be better they work hard to try to fix it. 

The Mathematical Mindset: numbers, Models & problem solving

In Preschool, we encourage mathematical engagement, the creative use of visual models, and encourage students to problem solve and persevere through complex problems. 

This positive culture is created by our teachers. We lead whole and small groups, we work one-on-one with students, and we foster collaboration by providing students with many opportunities to actively engage with their peers. 

The emphasis in mathematics is for the students to utilize every phase of the learning process to help them solve problems concretely before attempting to solve them abstractly. Concepts include basic facts in the four operations, multiplication with two- and three- digit multipliers, long division with one- and two- digit divisors, metric and customary measurement, geometry, fractions, decimals, and collecting and graphing data. Problem-solving strategies are continually reviewed.

COMPUTERS

Preschool students work with computers in their classrooms to enhance their regular curriculum work, to develop higher order thinking skills, and to become self-confident and independent in using the computer as a learning tool.

Students in prekindergarten are further instructed once per week in the computer lab. In this setting they are introduced to touch-typing and a variety of software programs designed to complement and enrich classroom activities. Topics include:

• Identifying the parts of a computer
• Location and function of special keys on the keyboard
• Using menus
• Proper handling and care of hardware and software
• Use of strategies in educational games
• Visual spatial skills, creativity and memory building
• And more

iPads are also incorporated into the curriculum to enhance the classroom experience through a variety of educational apps which encourage creativity and student learning.

The Arts

ART

In Preschool, art class is a time for experimentation and exploration. The girls are introduced to a variety of artistic media, tools, and techniques. They feel the textures of different materials and see the varied effects produced when used in different ways.

Young children are uninhibited in their creativity, and art provides them an opportunity to express themselves visually. Emphasis is on the artistic process rather than the final product. Teachers read simple books about the basic elements of art and show famous works of art to the students.

MUSIC

In the Preschool, music provides a medium for self-expression through which children can develop their love of music. The process of teaching music includes creative movement, singing games, rhythmic speech and echo response, listening skills, the use of percussion instruments, and improvisation.

A musical awareness of instruments, their sounds, the origins of music, and music in society are discussed. Great effort is spent on integrating music with classroom themes.

THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

The Counseling Department's developmental approach considers the nature of human development, including the general stages and tasks that most individuals experience as they mature from childhood to adulthood forms the foundation of the guidance and counseling program. The program centers on the development of positive self-concept formed through experience and education.

Components of the program include socialization skills, group guidance activities, individual counseling, play group activities, and consultation with parents, faculty, and administration. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) develop the topics and base their lessons on issues and problems important to each age group.

AFTERNOONS AT ASH: PLUS & PROGRAMS

~ NOTE: Currently suspended due to safety measures during COVID-19 ~

PLUS
PLUS is a fee-based after-school service designed to allow Little Hearts-Grade 4 students choice time during the after school hours in a safe and supportive environment. PLUS Supervisors and Staff engage with children through play, scheduled activities, and guided study.

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
After-school enrichment programs are available for Little Hearts, Preschool and Lower School students after school. These offerings allow students a chance to try out new opportunities and have fun –– right at ASH!

PREKINDERGARTEN

Prekindergarten is a full-day program that provides a secure and stimulating environment to nurture the ever-active minds of four- and five-year olds. A literary-based approach integrates the study of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Language arts includes letter recognition, letter formation, and phonological awareness. Oral language skills include listening to, retelling, and narrating stories. Children also learn there is meaning in their words as they watch teachers write what they say.

Math activities foster an understanding of number sense through the use of manipulatives. By playing games in small groups, children learn counting, comparing, patterning, sequencing, matching, sorting, and problem solving.

Field trips and special classes in religion, library, physical education, art, computer, and music enhance the curriculum. Enriching group experiences promote spiritual growth, sociability, sharing, and concern for others and the environment.

ASH PLUS offers after-school care from the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m.

KINDERGARTEN

Kindergarten is a full-day program that integrates structured as well as unstructured activities for five- and six-year-olds. Whole group instruction and small group lessons meet the needs of individual learning styles.

Language arts activities include reading instruction, letter formation, listening skills, comprehension and creative writing.

The math curriculum includes the use of manipulative materials to reinforce an understanding of abstract concepts.

Social studies includes an introduction to and cultural exploration of our city and state with monthly interactive activities across the curriculum. In addition, timely discussions based on articles and information found in “Weekly Reader” enhance global awareness.

Students attend special classes in religion, music, science, library, art, computer and foreign language. The kindergarten program promotes spiritual development, encourages positive social interactions and reinforces a positive attitude toward school and learning.

ASH PLUS offers after-school care from the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m.