SF S.T.E.A.M. Academy K-5
Kindergarten: Making Sense of the World
SCIENCE
SCIENCE
SCIENCE
SCIENTIFIC THINKING
Collect, record, and share observations to answer scientific questions.
Design simple tests to gather evidence to support or refute ideas.
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.
MATH
SCIENCE
SCIENCE
MATHEMATICAL THINKING
Reason and explain with math ideas and processes.
Model and use math tools. Observe patterns and generalize.
Attend to precision.
THEMES
Quantitative Reasoning – Build mathematical models.
Shapes & Numbers – Explore 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.
Design & Build with Tools and Materials for a Better World
ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING PRACTICES
Ask questions and describe problems.
Develop and use models.
Obtain and communicate Information.
Define, build, test, and improve solutions.
THEMES
Shape equates to function.
TOPICS
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Defining Engineering Problems
Developing Possible Solutions
Optimizing the Design Solution
TECHNOLOGY
ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING
PROJECTS
Plan, create, test, and iterate inventive solutions.
Collect, categorize, analyze, represent, and communicate data.
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.
The Arts in S.T.E.A.M.
Elements of Art: Lenses and Tools of Multi-Sensory Expression and Meaning
Essential tools for creating and interpreting visual renditions.
Discover the Elements
Through sensory, hands-on exploration and playful experimentation, students develop art appreciation, enrich observation skills, and explore visual expression.
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 as applied to art, design, literature, and STEM.
Communication Skills: Text Comprehension, and Expression
English and Spanish Language Skills
Readers are made, not born.
With this in mind, SF S.T.E.A.M. Academy engages students on their reading journeys.
Children will learn to read with phonics and the whole language approach.
To read: They will connect the English and Spanish
alphabet with phonemes.
This connection requires a carefully orchestrated symphony
among their brains’ neural networks.
For instance, to read the word "cat," children need to process it visually,
phonologically (by sound), and semantically (in terms of interpretation).
Pathways to their visual and auditory memory enable them
to instantly store and retrieve the word.
Students’ neural networks are as unique as their backgrounds and abilities.
Personalized approaches ensure that we nurture reading, writing,
and expressive language skills in line with each child's strengths.
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 lays the groundwork for learning addition and subtraction with multiple sets.
However, math anxiety stemming from tests and homework
diminishes a child's motivation to learn mathematics.
Children’s learning experiences shape their perceptions and connections with math.
That's why we're excited to introduce our innovative, neuroscience-based math program.
By age two, toddlers recognize, for example, the differences between more and less,
near and far, high and low, and long and short.
Children grasp math concepts relevant to their interactions
in situations and environments.
Harnessing these natural abilities in math learning
makes concepts and processes relatable.
Math serves as 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 is grounded in how children learn math
opens doors to realizing their potential.
Storytelling and Mathematical Thinking
Math is present in the story. Math appears in the images. Math assists the characters! Children are budding mathematicians! Every story includes math questions, activities, and problems to solve.
Mathematical Modeling
Mathematical modeling is a process where children transition from real-life considerations to mathematics and then back again, evaluating, refining, and enhancing the models they create.
Kinesthetics
Children develop physical, cognitive, and social skills through movement-based activities like yoga, gymnastics floor skills, and physical games. These activities enhance 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, focusing on self-awareness, confidence, and healthy relationships.
These sessions assist children in recognizing, naming, and comprehending their emotions, which is a crucial step in developing emotional intelligence. By learning to identify feelings such as frustration, excitement, or empathy, children can express themselves clearly and manage their emotions in a healthy way.
SES skills are integrated into daily school life, providing consistent reinforcement. Each week, a specific theme, such as empathy, is explored in various contexts, helping children apply these skills to 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 about the origins of food, how it grows, and the nutrients it offers. By planting and caring for fruits, vegetables, and herbs, students discover the importance of soil, sunlight, and water in nurturing plants. This real-world connection builds their appreciation for healthy eating, the natural environment, and sustainability.
To make gardening even more engaging, each month features a themed planting experience with seeds and cuttings. Themes like a Pizza Garden (tomatoes, basil, oregano), a Tea Garden (mint, hibiscus), and a Steamed Vegetable Garden (corn, broccoli, carrots, peas) bring excitement and curiosity to the learning process. As children watch their plants grow, they cultivate 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.