2009 : The Grove School: A seriously fresh new preschool in Cary and Plano!

Cary street sign installed

Scott Andersen | December 27, 2009 | Comment

Grove School Cary Street Sign

Scott, a.k.a. Dr. Andersen, is our Head of School in Cary, NC. He brings 16 years of experience as a teacher and school/district administrator. He has also worked as a photojournalist and software developer.

Keywords: Cary, Grove School, street sign

More photos from installation day

Scott Cervenak | December 23, 2009 | Comment

sign

wayfinding

washbasin

tricycles

Scott oversees design and construction of our school buildings and playgrounds. His vision is to create sustainable spaces that encourage amazing learning experiences.

Keywords: Cary, Grove School, Plano

Photos of our outdoor classroom

Scott Cervenak | December 23, 2009 | Comment

Here are some photos of the greenhouse, climbing rock and xylophone before they get installed, and one of our green benches.

Scott oversees design and construction of our school buildings and playgrounds. His vision is to create sustainable spaces that encourage amazing learning experiences.

Keywords: Cary, Grove School, outdoor classroom, Plano

Photos of our classrooms

Scott Cervenak | December 23, 2009 | Comment

We are putting the finishing touches on our first two Grove School projects in Cary, NC and Plano, TX. So many people from across the country contributed to the physical completion and set up of these two schools. I cannot say enough about the efforts made by so many to make this all happen.

In particular, it is beyond inspiring to work side by side with our teaching staff during the school set up process and feel their passion for the Grove School mission and how that will translate to our children and families. When the right physical environment marries with inspired, energetic, passionate and forward thinking educators, the results are nothing short of awesome.

Here are a few photos of our classrooms. I’ll post more photos in additional posts. Please come and visit us soon!

Scott oversees design and construction of our school buildings and playgrounds. His vision is to create sustainable spaces that encourage amazing learning experiences.

Video: Our sign is up!

Scott Andersen | December 23, 2009 | Comment

Keywords: Cary, Grove School, sign

Children need us

Scott Andersen | December 21, 2009 | Comment

I had the pleasure this past week to help purchase some much needed books and toys for children in the Cary area. As we were shopping for these toys, I kept thinking about how much children need us.

They need us to put them first. This can manifest itself in many forms. They need us to provide the basics of life: food, shelter and clothing. They need us to provide them a great education. They need us to provide them a safe, healthy and sustainable environment in which they can thrive.

However, as we completed the shopping and delivered the goodies to the wonderful retired former Marines on Friday, I was struck by this one word: love.

Children need love.

As I saw the proud retired Marines, along with the branch manager of the local bank participating as a drop off location for the Toys for Tots program, I was filled with a peaceful feeling that what we were doing this day was one of the many ways to express love. So many people freely giving of their time to benefit children.

One of the major goals of The Grove School is to help develop and be a part of our community. Even though it was only in a small way, I feel that we did just that, along with our Marine and banking friends.

I believe we did it for the right reason. We all love children.

Keywords: Cary, child development, children, community, Dr. Scott Andersen, giving, The Grove School, Toys for Tots

The Grove School donates $1,000 to Toys for Tots

Scott Andersen | December 21, 2009 | Comment

Photo credit: Hal Goodtree

Thanks To Hal Goodtree at the Cary Citizen for covering this event. Read his article.

And here’s some video from that day:

Keywords: Cary, Cary Citizen, Grove School, Hal Goodtree, Marines, Toys for Tots

Big day: our furniture arrives!

Scott Andersen | December 14, 2009 | Comment

Check out the great furniture for our preschool classrooms. Love the little bentwood chairs!

Keywords: classrooms, furniture, pre-K

The benefits of educational technology in the preschool classroom

Lilla Dale McManis | December 12, 2009 | Comment

It is well established that three and four year olds need a strong focus on cognitive development along with attention to their social and emotional development to be ready for kindergarten (1, 2). Technology can play a key role in this preparation. Experts confirm that preschool age children are developmentally ready and able to benefit from instruction with technology. The use of educational technology is now known to have a major, positive impact on the social, emotional, language, and cognitive development of children.

It is recommended that many opportunities be given during the preschool years for exploration using technology tools in a playful, supportive environment. Researchers further agree that a number of technology applications have the potential to support and extend learning in the young child through their unique capability to provide excellent instruction in these important developmental areas that are critical for educational success (3-5).

Specifically, research has found that preschoolers who used computers with developmentally appropriate supporting activities for key learning goals, had more gains than children without these computer experiences. Among others, these included increases in knowledge, long-term memory, verbal skills, problem solving, and manual dexterity (3).

A set of studies with low-income children found those who received a computer curriculum had increases in cognitive, motor, and language scores compared to similar children in a regular curriculum (6,7). Recent research published in the journal Pediatrics found that young children who had access to a computer compared to those who did not performed better on measures of cognitive development and school readiness as measured by the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence. The lead author notes that the findings suggest that “computer access before or during the preschool years is associated with the development of preschool concepts and cognition” (8).

The National Association for the Education of Young Children also states that considerable research points to the positive effects of educational technology on children’s learning and development. For these effects to be present, however, educators must monitor that it is appropriate in the areas of age, individual child needs, and culture; and integrate educational technology into the learning environment in ways that support what and how children learn (9).

To read the research studies noted above, here are the references:

References and Sources
1. Eager to Learn: Executive Summary. (2000). (Eds.) B.T. Bowman, S.M. Donovan, & S.M.
Burns. National Research Council. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
2. Landry, S. & James Baker Institute for Public Policy. (2004). Effective Early Childhood
Programs: Turning Knowledge Into Action. Houston, TX: Rice University.
3. Haugland, S.W. (2000). What role should technology play in young children’s learning? Part 2. Early childhood classrooms in the twenty-first century: Using computers to maximize
learning. Young Children, 55, 12–18.
4. Murphy, K., DePasquale, R., & McNamara, E. (2003). Meaningful connections: Using
technology in primary classrooms. Beyond the Journal: Young Children on the Web.
5. Clements, D.H. 1994. The Uniqueness of the Computer as a Learning Tool: Insights from
Research and Practice. (Eds.) J.L. Wright & D.D. Shade. Young children: Active learners
in a technological age, pp. 31-50. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education
of Young Children.
6. Ainsa, T. (1989). Effects of computers and training in Head Start curriculum. Journal of
Instructional Psychology, 16, 72–78.
7. Ainsa T. (1987). Effects of computers and training in Head Start curriculum. Journal of
Educational Computing Research, 3, 249 –260.
8. Li, X., & Atkins, M.S. (2004). Early childhood computer experience and cognitive and motor development. Pediatrics, 113, 1715-1722.
9. National Association for the Education of Young Children

Lilla Dale McManis, Ph.D., is a product development consultant for Hatch, Inc. She has 25 years of experience as an educator, evaluator, trainer and researcher.

Keywords: computers, Grove School, Hatch, Inc., Lilla Dale McManis, Preschool, technology

Plano events: tour the school before it opens!

Wendy DeSpain | December 12, 2009 | Comment

We know it’s a busy time of year, but we’d love to show off our school before it opens in January. Our upcoming events are a great way to met me and our faculty, get to know other parents, and experience our amazing school and playground for yourself. Be sure to leave me a comment if you have any questions at all!

UPCOMING EVENTS

FRI 12/18: Sneak Peek at The Grove School from 4-7 pm

TUES 12/22: Sneak Peek at The Grove School from 11am – 3pm, with holiday activities for the kids!

TUES 12/29: “The Giving Tree” children’s event from 11am – 3pm, with story time, seed planting, leaf rubbings and yummy snacks for all!

Wendy is our Head of School in Plano, TX. She has deep community ties, having spent 15 years with the Plano ISD in various teaching, administrative and leadership roles. In addition to her zeal for helping children learn, Wendy enjoys being in the great outdoors with her family.

Keywords: events, Grove School, holiday, Plano, sneak peek, The Giving Tree

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