Annie Wright Preschool teachers recognize and honor every child's unique needs and abilities. To ensure that a child is active, engaged, and continually supported in his or her healthy growth and learning, our International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme curriculum is inquiry-based, thoughtfully planned and developmentally appropriate for each child.
The language arts curriculum, which emphasizes the power of stories and communication, is rich with activities and experiences that encourage listening, speaking, writing and reading readiness. Language arts may be taught as part of math, science, social studies, or any other area of the curriculum. The "Get Set for School" program encourages letter recognition and sounds, develops fine motor skills and encourages creativity.
Teachers recognize students’ unique learning styles and assist them in reaching their full potential by helping them develop strategies for success. Social/emotional support to help children feel secure, successful and happy is also available from the Lower School counselor and our team of educational professionals.
Preschoolers enjoy stories that tie into classroom activities as well as the world around them. Books are developmentally appropriate but stretch young students to increase their vocabulary.
Beginning in Preschool 3-4, students learn that mathematics is a language that helps us communicate. Our hands-on curriculum develops learners rote counting skills, understanding of one-to-one correspondence, ability to classify and sort objects, as well as their understanding of patterns and base shapes. The “Get Set For School: Numbers and Math” program uses hands-on manipulatives to help guide student understanding of these concepts.
Three-year old musical learners work on singing on pitch both with and without instruments and pre-recorded accompaniments. Dancing to simple songs and focusing on keeping a steady beat help develop a sense of rhythm as well as fine and gross motor coordination. Students also explore different kinds of musical sounds and dynamics.
What jumps like a frog, flies like an airplane, crawls like a kitten and gallops like a horse? Preschool students who come to the gym ready to move! The goal for PS 3/4 physical education is to introduce the children to explore physical movement with a variety of activities and games. At this age, we will introduce fundamental movement skills which are the foundation for learning more complex skills later in life.
The inquiry-based science curriculum offers authentic learning opportunities to budding scientists. The program emphasizes a range of skills including observing, comparing and contrasting, predicting, sorting, and the beginnings of ordered thinking. Topics are integrated with the PYP Units of Inquiry, and are often fluid as in the nature of science itself.
Preschool students have Spanish lessons twice a week. During class students learn songs, hear stories and engage in movement activities in Spanish. As students become more confident with the language, they begin to answer simple questions. Preschool students also explore cultural aspects of diverse Spanish-speaking countries.
All Preschool students participate in swim class in our on-site pool. In a nurturing environment, teachers work with the students both in the locker room and in the pool to gain independence and learn how to be safe.
Swim skills include:
Safety in and around the pool
Comfort and security in the water
Blowing bubbles with face in water
Breath control
Kicking
Wall walking
Front glide
Crawl stroke
Arm and leg drill on deck and in water
Entering and exiting the pool
Maneuvering
Jumping into water
Return to side with assistance
Opening eyes under-water
Works well with parent(s) and instructor(s)
Please be aware that students must be three years of age by the start of the school year to be considered for Preschool 3-4 admission. They must also be able to use the toilet independently and come to school wearing underwear.
Founded in Tacoma, Washington, in 1884, Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school. Annie Wright Lower and Middle Schools offer coed programs in Preschool through Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for girls and boys offer day and boarding options in Grades 9 through 12. Annie Wright is proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School.