Aleph Academy
where arts and academics meet
PROGRAMS
Rishonim & Ketantanim
firsts /
little ones
beginning between 12-18mo
HOW LEARNING HAPPENS For many Rishonim and Ketantanim children, this is their first school experience. Their rooms are set up to encourage play and exploration. Our small class sizes and low ratios of four children to one teacher allow children to receive the personalized attention that is so critical at this age. Relationships form the foundation for all of their learning experiences.
LEARN THROUGH PLAY During indoor exploration time, the teacher engages and interacts with children and encourages physical development and coordination. This is achieved through both individual and group activities, and helps develop large muscles of the body which are important for skills such as climbing and walking. Our teachers motivate their students to interact socially through interactions involving play, problem solving as well as using age appropriate materials and equipment. Teachers also encourage language development through conversation, story-telling and songs.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL Everything is new at this age! An environment that focuses on nurturing confidence as well as on developing meaningful relationships prepares these students for a joyful experience while at Aleph Academy.
Gan
garden
2yrs
HOW LEARNING HAPPENS Curriculum projects are chosen to help children explore and understand the world around them. Using hands-on, tactile, and sensory experiences, we weave literacy, math, science, and physical development standards into our daily explorations. Gan children take pride in their newfound independence, special friendships, and the discovery of their world.
OUR CURRICULUM Singing, stories, and lots of open-ended art experiences help children understand core literacy, science, and math concepts. As their verbal skills blossom, we encourage children to ask questions and introduce new vocabulary.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL We learn about sharing, friendship skills, following directions, and so much more! Towards the end of the school year, students become more independent and eager to learn new things.
Gimmel
threes
3yrs
HOW LEARNING HAPPENS The Gimmel class focuses on the unique needs of three years olds. Long term curriculum projects are developed and based on the observed interests of the children. Using the classroom environment, the teachers weave literacy, math, science, and physical development standards into various daily explorations. Gimmel children take pride in all their hard work, their ability to do things on their own, and of course, their many blossoming relationships.
OUR CURRICULUM We focus on the children’s emerging interest in letters and numbers as their cognitive development expands. They begin to remember parts of a story, start to identify letters in their first and last names, and participate in class discoveries by asking and answering questions during group circle times. These are just some examples of all the learning taking place throughout the school year.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL Gimmel children are working towards independence and building on long term relationships as they grow. Their emerging verbal skills and genuine friendships tend to enhance their overall play throughout the day. We incorporate positive affirmations to build self-awareness and confidence to create the foundation for strong relationships. We encourage interaction involving cooperation, empathy, and turn-taking with our classmates and in addition to emotional self-regulation.
Yetzirah
creation
mixed age PreK
HOW LEARNING HAPPENS Similar to Gimmel, long term curriculum projects are chosen based on the interests of the children and are implemented through the use of a variety of artistic mediums. Using visual arts and performing arts, teachers incorporate standards such as literacy, math, science and physical development into daily explorations and activities. Yetzirah children take pride in their beautiful artwork and the ability to do things on their own, in addition to cultivating their relationships with both teachers and friends at school.
OUR CURRICULUM Yetzirah students engage in all Early Childhood Education domains within an art inspired curriculum. They begin to remember parts of a story and often act these stories out on stage. Yetzirah students start to identify letters in their first and last names and participate in scientific inquiry through observation of their changing environment and asking questions. These are just a few examples of what a student in Yetzirah class might experience.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL Yetzirah children are independent and enjoy spending time on the development of art-based learning projects that may take place over many weeks. Their strong verbal skills and beloved playmates tend to enhance dramatic play. We also encourage positive pro-social behaviors including self-regulation, cooperation and turn taking with fellow classmates.
Teva
nature
4-5yrs
HOW LEARNING HAPPENS Our Teva program brings together the best of Europe’s Forrest Schools coupled with the Reggio inspired approach. Children spend a large part of their day interacting with their classroom teacher and fellow students in our Natural Playscape. Interactive provocations foster inquiry-based learning, scientific discovery, and kindergarten readiness in an authentic outdoor learning environment. Teva is one of the first outdoor-based nature classrooms in Northern Nevada.
OUR CURRICULUM Teva students engage in all Early Childhood Educational domains within a natural environment. Students participate in an outdoor learning laboratory through science based inquiry and project based learning. Nature allows children to enjoy the freedom of space and develop resiliency from the immersive experience of the outdoors. Teva students also spend time in their own classroom studio when our Northern Nevada weather is uncooperative.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL Teva students are self-reliant, motivated, and attentive. Our Teva students create strong relationships within their class of approximately nine peers. Friendships also blossom with our Gesher students as the two classes spend time together during Judaics and outside free time, as well as during special events.
Gesher
bridge
4-5yrs
HOW LEARNING HAPPENS Our Gesher Class focuses on the bridge between preschool and elementary education. Gesher uses S.T.E.A.M. throughout curriculum projects that are based on children’s interests. This helps increase the students’ stamina as they engage in project-based learning activities that can take place over several weeks and/or months, building on their skills throughout the whole process. We combine self-initiated play and exploration, small group work as well as teacher directed activities for a well-rounded day. The rich classroom environment is set up to maximize learning opportunities in all domains including math, literacy, science, and physical development.
OUR CURRICULUM Academics include lessons that target literacy, math concepts, letter recognition & sounds, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry. The route to acquiring these skills may look different from year to year and is fully customized to meet the needs of each student as they build and expand their learning repertoire.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL In the Gesher class we learn self-help skills, conflict resolution, taking ownership of our classroom environment, cleaning up after ourselves, and respecting others while continuing to develop emotional literacy.
JUDAICS
Our Judaic teachers join activities in our Rishonim, Ketantanim and Gan Toddler classrooms where they use a personalized approach to introduce children to Hebrew songs, mitzvot, and basic concepts of Jewish holidays. Every class celebrates Shabbat on Fridays with Challah baking and a special Shabbat Party.
As children move on to our older classrooms, the Judaic curriculum advances alongside. Topics of discovery include learning basic Hebrew words and the recognition of the Hebrew Aleph Bet. Our Judaic teachers also go more in depth with Jewish holidays as they follow the cycle of the Jewish year, beginning with Rosh Hashana and oftentimes ending with Shavuot. Our Judaic teachers touch on Torah topics such as Creation and Noah’s Ark.
Long term special interest projects based on Jewish values are also incorporated throughout the year. This may include learning about Tzedakah (giving charity), Chesed (love and kindness) or Tzaar Baalei Chaim (kindness to animals) to name a few. These long-term projects are based on the interest of the children and families.
Rounding out our Judaic program is our Mitzvah Journals. A simple definition of a mitzvah is a good deed. We ask parents to write in their child’s Mitzvah Journal every day they are at school. These journal entries are read out loud in each classroom. This provides recognition for deeds already done and encourages students to do good deeds for their family members, pets, etc. This also develops a parent-school connection resulting in comfort to students knowing that their parents are thinking about them while they are in school.
SUMMER PROGRAM
Camp Explore
Aleph Academy’s Camp Explore is dedicated to providing each child with a unique and fun summer camp experience with an emphasis on exploration and discovery. Our hands-on approach to learning offers daily opportunities for both creative expression and scientific investigation. A large portion of our camp day is spent in our magical playscape where we incorporate water play and work with different art mediums.
Camp Explore is open to currently enrolled children only.
EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS
Sing Shalom
0-5yrs
WEEKLY PARENT AND CHILD CLASSES
OPEN TO CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES
Sing Shalom classes introduce Jewish themes and holidays, and celebrate community and family through song, supporting parents and caregivers in introducing their children to a diverse, culturally rich Jewish heritage. Sing Shalom classes use the internationally recognized Music Together early childhood music education program for mixed ages, enriched with a carefully selected collection of familiar (and not-so familiar) Jewish songs from throughout the world. Visit truckeetahoemt.com for more information and to register.
Tumblebus
3-5yrs
TUESDAY MORNINGS
ELECTIVE, ADDITIONAL FEE APPLIES
Tumblebus takes fun and fitness to a whole new level with their kid friendly, gymnastics based exercise class that is based all within their converted school bus on premises! This program is designed to boost your child's strength, flexibility, and confidence through gymnastics, while navigating through fun obstacle courses, and engaging in music and movement activities. Classes are 30 minutes long and include 2 different obstacle course type set ups along with time for music, movement, and manipulatives. Visit flipsusagymnastics.com/tumblebus/ for more information.
2-5yrs
Music with Darcy
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS & AFTERNOONS
ELECTIVE, ADDITIONAL FEE APPLIES
Music with Darcy focuses on children's exposure and initial experience with music. Children learn how to listen to music, how to play music and how to be an attentive audience member. Layered lessons include music theory, improvisation, cultural influences, social interactions, ear training, instruments and theater. Each weekly lesson includes some theory, a song, and a fundamental activity, exercise or game. The year ends with a grand musical performance for the entire school. Contact darcytahoe@gmail.com for more information.