SF S.T.E.A.M. Academy K-5
Kindergarten: Making Sense of the World
SCIENCE
SCIENCE
SCIENCE
THEMES
Size, Shape, Color, Weight, and Texture
TOPICS
Physics
Forces and Motion
Biology
What do plants and animals (including humans) need to survive?
Earth Science
Sunlight produces energy and food.
Weather and climate affect life and materials.
People's daily choices affect natural systems.
Chemistry
Materials in natural and designed worlds can work together for good or bad.
SCIENTIFIC THINKING
Collect, record, and share observations to answer scientific questions.
Design simple tests to gather evidence to support or refute ideas.
MATH
SCIENCE
SCIENCE
THEMES
Quantitative Reasoning – Building mathematical models.
Shapes & Numbers – Exploring geometric and numerical relationships.
TOPICS
Counting and Cardinality
Recognize number sequences, skip count,
compare, and write numerals 1-20 or more.
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Solve (+, -) problems using objects, drawings, and equations.
Number and Operations in Base 10
Build and take apart numbers 1 to 19 or more.
Measurement and Data
Describe, classify, and count objects.
Geometry
Identify, compare, and build 2D and 3D shapes.
MATHEMATICAL THINKING
Reason and explain with math ideas and processes.
Model and use math tools. Observe patterns and generalize.
Attend to precision.
Design & Build with Tools and Materials for a Better World
ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING
THEMES
Shape equates to function.
TOPICS
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Defining Engineering Problems
Developing Possible Solutions
Optimizing the Design Solution
ENGINEERING PRACTICES
Ask questions and describe problems.
Develop and use models.
Obtain and communicate Information.
Define, build, test, and improve solutions.
TECHNOLOGY
ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING
THEMES
Computational Thinking
HARDWARE
Use tools and materials for building structures, knitting,
cooking, gardening, sewing, crafts, book-making, and more.
SOFTWARE
Practice and learn keyboarding with a fun software interface.
PROJECTS
Plan, create, test, and iterate inventive solutions.
Collect, categorize, analyze, represent, and communicate data.
The Arts in S.T.E.A.M.
The Elements of Art: Lenses and Tools of Multi-sensory Expression and Meaning
Essential tools for creating and interpreting visual renditions.
Explore the Elements
Through sensory, hands-on exploration, and playful experimentation, students develop art appreciation and practice, strengthen observation skills, and explore visual communication.
Intersect the Elements
By intersecting the elements of art, students learn to think analytically and express ideas using visual and multi-sensory tools, setting the stage for multifaceted learning in art, design, literature, and STEM.
Communication Skills: Text Comprehension, and Expression
English and Spanish Language Skills
Readers are made, not born, and, with this in mind,
SF S.T.E.A.M. Academy guides each student on their reading journey.
Children will practice phonic awareness and learn with the whole language framework.
To read: They will connect abstract symbols of our alphabet to the
phonemes they have learned through speech.
This connection requires a carefully orchestrated symphony
between their brains’ neural networks.
For example, to read the word cat,
children must process the word visually, phonologically (sound), and semantically (interpretation).
Pathways to their visual and auditory memory
ensure they can instantly store and retrieve the word.
Students’ neural networks are as unique as individual backgrounds and abilities.
Personalized approaches ensure that we develop
reading, writing, and expressive language skills alongside each child's aptitudes.
English Reading, Writing, Speaking - Daily in Core Academic Subjects
Spanish Reading, Writing, Speaking - 4 Days/Week
Language with Songs and Poetry
Songs are enduring modalities for teaching language. Rhythm, melodies, and repetitions help students learn and remember words, phrases, and grammatical structures.
Songs enhance memory retention,
improve pronunciation, and make learning enjoyable.
Writing Ideas and Stories
Writing ideas and narratives helps children develop language skills, creativity, and analytical thinking. They also learn sentence structure, grammar, and vocabulary. Students learn communication skills in meaningful and functional contexts by organizing ideas and expressing emotions in different print genres. They actively engage with language, improving their written fluency and overall literacy.
Born to think Mathematically
Building on Children's Innate Math Abilities
Children are born with the ability to count and engage in cardinal reasoning,
They can estimate and quantify single sets of 1,2, and 3 with prompts.
This foundation provides the basis for learning addition and subtraction with multiple sets.
However, math anxiety from tests and homework diminishes a child's ability to learn math.
Children’s learning experiences shape their perceptions & connections with math.
That's why we're thrilled to introduce our neuroscience-based and innovative math program.
Before 2 years, infants recognize more from less, near from far,
high from low, long from short, and more math concepts relevant to their thinking and environments.
Tapping into these natural abilities in math learning makes math concepts and processes relatable.
Math is a gateway to children's future careers.
We aim to create an equal playing field and enrich math learning for ALL students.
How we teach and how children learn math open doors to reaching their potential.
Storytelling and Mathematical Thinking
Math is in the story. Math is in the images. Math is helping the characters! Children are young mathematicians! Every story has math questions, activities, and problems to solve.
Mathematical Modeling
Mathematical modeling is a process in which children move from real-life considerations to mathematics and back again, evaluating, refining, and improving the models they generate.
Kinesthetics
Children develop essential physical, cognitive, and social skills through movement-based activities such as yoga, gymnastics floor skills, and physical games. These activities develop agility, strength, balance, and social interaction, which are crucial for overall growth, confidence, and well-being.
Daily Kinesthetic Sessions:
8:30 AM
15-Minute Morning Warm-Ups
12:30 PM
30-Minute Physical Play
2:45 PM
15-Minute Exercises
Social Emotional Skills
Social Emotional Skills (SES) lessons engage children in hands-on simulations and guided conversations on essential social-emotional skills (SES), such as self-awareness, confidence, and healthy relationships.
These sessions help children recognize, name, and understand their emotions, an essential step in developing emotional intelligence. By learning to identify feelings like frustration, excitement, or empathy, children express themselves clearly and manage their emotions in healthy ways.
SES skills are woven into daily school life, ensuring consistent daily reinforcement. Each week, a specific theme—empathy—is explored in different contexts, helping children apply these skills in real-life situations. This ongoing practice empowers them to navigate social interactions, build positive relationships, and develop lifelong emotional awareness.
Gardening
Gardening provides children with a hands-on, immersive experience that teaches them where food comes from, how it grows, and the nourishment they provide. Students learn the importance of soil, sunlight, and water in nurturing plants by planting and caring for fruits, vegetables, and herbs. This real-world connection helps them appreciate healthy eating, the natural world, and sustainability.
To make gardening even more engaging, each month features a thematic planting experience with seeds and cuttings. Themes like a Pizza Garden (tomatoes, basil, oregano), a Tea Garden (mint, hibiscus), and a Steamed Vegetables Garden (corn, broccoli, carrots, peas) bring excitement and curiosity to the learning process. As children watch their plants grow, they develop responsibility, patience, and a deeper understanding of the food cycle, making learning both fun and meaningful.
Portfolio Days
Interactive SF S.T.E.A.M. Academy Lab
On Quarterly Portfolio Day, students take on the role of teachers, guiding parents through their learning highlights. This experience validates their progress, builds confidence, and fosters deeper family engagement in education, making learning more meaningful and empowering.
By explaining concepts in how they learned them, students solidify knowledge, organize their thoughts, and practice articulating ideas clearly—all key skills for academic growth and confidence.
This process is also a metacognitive exercise, helping children become aware of how they learn.
Students gain insight into their learning strategies, making them more self-directed and engaged.
Interactive SF S.T.E.A.M. Academy Lab
Interactive SF S.T.E.A.M. Academy Lab
Interactive SF S.T.E.A.M. Academy Lab
The SF S.T.E.A.M. Academy invites the larger community to a half-day exploratory learning space designed and curated by students, parents, and teachers. Dubbed as the Interactive STEAM Lab, activities, demonstrations, and multimodal designs showcase interactive exhibits and projects by the students that bring S.T.E.A.M. to life.
The lab's STEAM theme will be shared with students and families in the first quarter. The project is a hub for exploration, innovation, and creativity, where children experiment, build, and problem-solve in an immersive environment.
The lab will welcome families, friends, and children from the wider community, showcasing the school and sharing learning experiences grounded in discovery, exploration, and creativity.
Field Trips
Interactive SF S.T.E.A.M. Academy Lab
Interactive SF S.T.E.A.M. Academy Lab
Students learn from immersive explorations that reinforce classroom studies and inspire a lifelong love of discovery.
Quarterly field trips are designed to complement academic themes and provide students with the learning purpose for their visit.
Students visit museums, science centers, historical sites, or innovation hubs to observe different learning methods and gather ideas for their Interactive STEAM Lab projects. Children investigate and solve real-world problems on these field trips, applying their knowledge in immersive settings.