Academics

Early School

At Bayside Academy, the learning adventure begins in the Early School. As children navigate each day, they experience the joy of learning and share innovative ideas which capitalize on their individual talents and interests. Through exploration, discovery, and hands-on learning, students further develop an understanding of their world. We balance a traditional curriculum with the Reggio Emilia approach to learning where each child’s learning experience builds on the natural sense of curiosity and the innate desire to expand horizons which are inherent during the formative years. We firmly believe that connections with families, students, and teachers are an integral part of early childhood education. Children are equipped with research-based and developmentally appropriate academic and innovative tools required to establish a strong foundation and a lifetime love for learning.

Cheryl Cicco, Head of Early School

In the Early School, our halls are filled with the sights and sounds of the joy of childhood, and new discoveries are made in the classrooms, on the playground, and during hikes to the bay. Our children are researchers, explorers, artists, and authors who have important ideas to share. In an environment designed by teachers who nurture the whole child and guide them as capable learners through academic activities and self-directed play, the children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. Our tiniest Admirals are intrinsically motivated to leap the next learning hurdle and are learning to be kind, collaborative members of their community.

Reggio Emilia in Action

Wondering about...Construction

The Three Little Pigs

Questions in the common theme of construction and engineering were inspired by numerous on-campus building projects last year. The PK3 students listened to the story of The Three Little Pigs as a literacy connection and to further gauge the interest level connected to this inquiry.
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How Would You Protect Your House?

Following the story, children shared their ideas related to building strategies they would use in their homes to protect them from the big bad wolf.
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Model Home

A model of a large, plain cardboard house was made available in the classroom, and the children jumped at the opportunity to work together to build their own house, after each one took a turn climbing inside of course!
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Working Together

A neighboring kindergarten class noticed this research on their story board and shared their knowledge of different kinds of houses based on a book they had recently studied and journal entries they had written on the topic.
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Time to Build

After plenty of practice building structures collaboratively, each child had the opportunity to design their own home.
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Incorporating Vocabulary

Vocabulary words relating to aspects of engineering and the building process were incorporated. (For example, "Roof lines are at a diagonal.")
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