Excel Discovery Center Programs
Current Programs
2010-2011 Classes
Class ages and hours plus information about the Parent and Me class designed for 2 year olds.
Summer Camps
Summer camps are offered to children ages 3-5 years as well as school age children who are entering kindergarten or 1st grade.
Inquiry-Based Learning:
Long-term investigations are used as in-depth studies of concepts, ideas, and interests which arise within the group and stimulate a child’s curiosity. Teachers use the State of South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines as a framework to facilitate the learning. Students master academic skills in a meaningful way within the long-term investigations. Our daily schedule allows for a careful balance between individual, small group, and large group work.
Sample of the Daily Schedule
| 8:30 |
... |
Welcoming time (warmly greet children and parents, invite them to play with activities set up, talk to each other, and say good-bye to parents) |
| 8:45 |
... |
Gathering time (read book, sing songs, discuss current project topic, activities of the day) |
| 9:00 |
... |
Interest Area / Project time (time to choose activities in interest areas and work on project-related activities individually and in small groups) |
| 10:00 |
... |
Outdoor play (time to choose outdoor play activities; if weather does not permit, large motor activities in multi-purpose room) |
| 10:30 |
... |
Snack (enjoy time together and conversation) |
| 10:45 |
... |
Project time (may include special visitor, organized music, karate, dance, or physical education) |
| 11:15 |
... |
Closing (children share what they did, plan for next day, read book, sing songs, get ready to go home, teachers visit with individual parents about the day) |
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