Curriculum

English Language Arts

Language is natural communication. It must be taught as a whole, and integrated within the context of broader communication to make it meaningful. For children to learn to read and write most effectively, they need as many clues as possible to make sense of language as communication. These clues derive from meaning, from language patterns, both visual and aural (picture clues, sight words and phonics). Students also need to be shown how language works as they use it. If they are able to relate it to their lives and their own ideas, the process will become meaningful to them, and they will engage in becoming language learners with enthusiasm. Thus, when we teach children to read and write, we focus on both traditional phonemic awareness and the expression of ideas. In addition, Cobblestone employs a dedicated literacy specialist to ensure that our students are challenged and supported appropriately. Each division of the school also has an extensive library of age-appropriate fiction and non-fiction titles.

Conceptual Mathematics

At Cobblestone School, teachers use a mathematics pedagogy based upon key recommendations of the National Council of Teacher’s Mathematics. Students are provided with a variety of experiences that promote a love of math and build mathematical literacy, understanding and self-confidence, through hands-on explorations, discussions and problem solving. Math is another way to make sense of the world using a combination of real-life experiences (planning group activities and making snacks, for example), theme-based explorations, discovery through math manipulative activities and group discussions of strategies and thinking. Thus, math is seen as a way of investigating and reasoning, a way of translating, applying and communicating concepts and skills into an understanding of real-life situations.

From the beginning of his or her school life, math becomes part of each child's daily life; they may graph likes and dislikes, figure out absentees, chart the passing days, interpret survey data, measure material for craft projects, and chart changes for science observations. Math is taught as both a separate subject to build foundational skills in math facts and procedures, and it is integrated into all areas of the curriculum to support more contextual, conceptual understanding of math principles. To assure we offer balanced instruction in math facts, procedures, and concepts, Cobblestone teaches the globally-renowned Singapore Math curriculum, supplemented with additional contextual materials from the "Math Investigations" curriculum.

Science

Children at Cobblestone are fascinated by all things scientific! We approach science through the children's natural curiosity about the world around them. Physical science, earth science, biology and chemistry and are presented in a spiral throughout the levels. As our students progress, they may revisit topics presented previously to further expand and deepen their understanding. Science lab materials are available to all our students and faculty.

Service Learning

Service-Learning is a natural extension of Cobblestone’s philosophy. Service-Learning experiences allow students to immediately see the relevance of their classroom studies and apply that learning in the "real world". Students also form relationships within the community, helping to build a greater sense of belonging and responsibility to their community. Service-Learning projects meet the following goals: they address community needs, include student planning, connect to the curriculum, benefit both the students and the community partners and include ongoing student reflection. Reflection provides children with a means of connecting and synthesizing knowledge gained in the classroom with what they learn through their Service-Learning activities. Students examine their own responses to service activities and develop a deeper understanding of themselves in the context of their community and the larger world.

Art

Artistic expression is emphasized at Cobblestone School. Art is continually integrated into the way children learn by using art exercises to support the curriculum. Weekly art classes, provided by an art teacher to different groups during the year, supplement the art that happens in the classroom and provides older students with the opportunity to develop specific skills. In addition, Cobblestone features an Artist-in-Residence program engaging children in the work of active, professional visual and performing artists in the greater Rochester community. Through a partnership with the Memorial Art Gallery, our students and teachers can tour the collections and make use of the MAG's lending library.

Music

Music instruction, through Hochstein Music School's Music Fundamentals Program, occurs at every level. Hochstein's program is based on the Orff Approach to developmental, experiential music education, and aligns with Cobblestone's philosophy of natural, child-centered, active engagement. Each Spring we celebrate our music program at Music Night. Each class level has the opportunity to share with family and friends what they have been learning and enjoying throughout the year.

Foreign Language

Spanish is taught at all levels. Since children absorb second languages using many of the same strategies that they use to acquire a primary language, Spanish is introduced whole for them, in real contexts. Students explore the language in a variety of ways, both orally and through writing/art projects. Languages are easiest when anxiety is low and curiosity high, so much of the time spent is group work, in which art and physical activity is shared. One focus of the foreign language program is developing cultural awareness of the varieties of Spanish language and culture. Opportunities to discuss and read about the varied traditions, routines or holidays by the world's Spanish-speaking populations broaden students' perspectives of their world and the importance of the language they are learning.

Physical Education

Physical education is an integral part of the overall educational program at Cobblestone School, as the school endeavors to engage and educate the bodies as well as the minds of all its children. Physical education activities, provided by a P.E. teacher, vary each year, and may include soccer, yoga, kickball, calisthenics, and creative movement. Our students are offered a variety of physical education opportunities to promote life long physical fitness and recreation.

Plays & Performances

Plays are an integral part of the Cobblestone curriculum and the school offers students ample opportunity to express themselves and participate in public performances. Participation helps students find their own voice and develop self-confidence. During the year, each class plans and performs a play, which may be a dramatic adaptation of a favorite story or book, or one written by the students themselves. Emphasis is placed on the process rather than the finished product. The children immerse themselves in the creation of costumes and scenery and, often, in the creation of the story itself. Language arts, social studies, math, and science all become part of the preparations. A formal performance is presented for parents, relatives and friends. The students in the younger groups perform their plays in their classrooms where the environment is known and comfortable. Older students perform their plays at off campus venues.

Field Trips

Because Cobblestone is located in the heart of Rochester's Cultural District, the school is able to take advantage of a wide variety of resources for extended classroom experiences at many institutions, including: the Rochester Museum and Science Center, the Memorial Art Gallery, Rundel Library, and the Monroe YMCA, among others. There are visits from artists and performing groups and field trips to area exhibits and performances.

Green Themes and Sustainability

Cobblestone School has an outdoor garden classroom. Through the on-site garden, children make local connections to agriculture, food systems, and good nutrition. Learning takes place outdoors as well as indoors, as the children delve into the study of the origins of their foods, the life cycle of plants, and other environmental issues. The children enjoy the fruits of their labor by participating in the planting, harvesting and cooking of the garden's crops. The garden is an integral part of the school’s wellness plan and accentuates the necessity of locally grown food to the sustainability of our environment.

Computers/Computer use

At the Intermediate Level, children begin incorporating computers into their studies. The computer is introduced as both a research tool and for preparing presentations. Computers are available to the students in the classrooms and Cobblestone School has a comprehensive computer use policy.

Community Meetings

Building community is a key component of our educational program. Weekly community meetings celebrate student accomplishments and establish ways to solve problems. Each class level decides the agenda for these meetings and they are an important opportunity for students to engage in the democratic process. Once a month, the entire school participates in our School Assembly.