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Academics

Preschool – La Maternelle

Welcome to Preschool

The principal aim of each preschool grade at the Lycée International de Houston is to guide children in becoming independent, confident learners and to help them acquire knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in elementary school.

Children are placed in a group according to their age and skills. Since preschool is a child’s first experience in education, children benefit from a program where all fundamentals are introduced gradually.  The low ratio of teachers to students allows for small group learning and individual instruction, meeting the needs of each student.

The length of the preschool program is designed to serve the needs of the following age groups:

  • 18-month-old (le Creche),
  • two-year-old (Toute Petite Section – TPS or PK2),
  • three-year-old (Petite Section – PK3), and
  • four-year-old (Moyenne Section – MS or PK4).

To further enrich our student’s learning and prepare them for our globalizing world, we do all this in a French immersion environment. Young children don’t “learn” a language by being taught language lessons. They acquire language by being surrounded by it. In the process, they also absorb the culture that is the foundation of the language.

Preschool classes encourage the development of all children by responding to their individual needs. Our preschool allows children to explore, discover create and imagine. All preschool classes are taught by fully-trained teachers with early childhood specialization.

Preschool La Maternelle pic4

La Crèche – 18-month-old

Welcome to the la Crèche Program!

La Crèche classrooms are a busy, happy place where children learn, explore, sing, and dance. The program for our toddlers was designed to encourage each child’s growing need for independence and to foster the development of their self-esteem in a safe, nurturing environment.
The program is based on a combination of the French National Education program and the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. The specific focal points of this program are individualized for each student.

Curriculum

Our teachers use curriculum to create monthly themes from weekly Lesson and Literacy Plans to provide developmentally appropriate daily routines and engaging activities for our toddlers. Lessons include a focus on colors, shapes, self-help skills, and character-building skills. Teachers gain children’s background knowledge as children share what they already know. At the conclusion of each theme, teachers and children explore what they learned. It is a wonderful way to provide meaningful learning opportunities.

Schedule
7:30 – 7:50
Children are greeted by a teacher, put away their belongings and find an activity. Children can work with blocks, manipulative, toys, or books, or participating in teacher-led activities.
7:50 – 8:15
Children gather to start circle time (Calendar/Weather/Songs)
8:15 – 8:45
Core subject (Writing / Math / Sciences)
8:45 – 9:05
Reading stories, group discussions and music
9:05 – 9:15
1st Snack
9:30 – 10:00
Art / Creative Art or Sensory
10:00 – 10:35
Recess
10:35 – 10:50
Toilets / Potty and Hand washing
10:50 – 11:15
Table Toys / Manipulative
11:15 – 11:45
Lunch
11:45 – 12:00
Nap
13:30 – 13:45
Toilets / Potty and Hand washing
13:45 – 14:15
Children participate in gross motor development activities
14:15 – 14:30
2nd Snack
14:30 – 15:00
Outdoor time
15:00 – 15:15
Down Time. Parents arriving for 3:15 pickup.
15:15 – 15:30
Recess
15:30 – 18:00
Aftercare – French and English language enrichment activities, parent arriving for 6:00 pickup, school closes.

 

* This is not a fixed Schedule; Specific course offerings may vary from semester to semester.

 

Preschool La Maternelle pic4

Toute Petite Section (TPS – PK2)

Welcome to Pre-Kindergarten 2

Starting at age two, preschoolers begin learning handwriting, vocabulary in both English and French. They also study math and science, social interaction and develop their motor skills through play and hands-on learning activities. The program is based on a combination of the French National Education program and the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. The specific focal points of this program are individualized for each student.

Children age 2 develop quickly physically, cognitively and socially. Using experiences and structured play, teachers help children begin to understand the places, people, and things in their culture and environment.

Curriculum

The Toute Petite Section (TPS – PK2) is in the First Cycle of the French National Education program. It is for children who are age 2. The program is based on a combination of the French National Education program and the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. The specific focal points of this program are individualized for each student.

Oral Language

Learning vocabulary and sentence structure, introduction to a second language, listening to language in a variety of contexts such as stories, songs, chants and poems. PK2 students start to learn about books and the written language.

Motor Skills

Mastering large and small muscle control, learning how to perform daily tasks such as dressing, eating, toileting, carrying. Extending play skills to run, jump, hop, and throw. PK2 students begin to use small muscles more effectively to cut, paint, and draw.

Discover the World

PK2 students learn to make sense of the world through understanding daily routines, colors, shapes, numbers and discoveries about nature.

Learn to Live Together

Developing social skills, meeting new people, playing cooperatively with peers, following simple safety rules. PK2 students develop increased self-confidence and independence and begin to understand and anticipate daily routines.

Schedule
7:30 – 7:50
Children are greeted by a teacher, put away their belongings and find an activity. Children can work with blocks, manipulative, toys, or books, or participating in teacher-led activities.
7:50 – 8:15
Children gather to start circle time (Calendar/Weather/Songs)
8:15 – 8:45
Core subject (Writing / Math / Sciences)
8:45 – 9:05
Reading stories, group discussions and music
9:05 – 9:15
1st Snack
9:30 – 10:00
Art / Creative Art or Sensory
10:00 – 10:35
Recess
10:35 – 10:50
Toilets / Potty and Hand washing
10:50 – 11:15
Table Toys / Manipulative
11:15 – 11:45
Lunch
11:45 – 12:00
Nap
13:30 – 13:45
Toilets / Potty and Hand washing
13:45 – 14:15
Children participate in gross motor development activities
14:15 – 14:30
2nd Snack
14:30 – 15:00
Outdoor time
15:00 – 15:15
Down Time. Parents arriving for 3:15 pickup.
15:15 – 15:30
Recess
15:30 – 18:00
Aftercare – French and English language enrichment activities, parent arriving for 6:00 pickup, school closes.

 

* This is not a fixed Schedule; Specific course offerings may vary from semester to semester.

Preschool La Maternelle pic4

Petite Section – (PS – PK3)

Welcome to Pre-Kindergarten 3

The Petite Section (PS – PK3) students engage in play based and teacher directed activities to grow socially and emotionally while at the same time building strong foundations in the areas of communication, pre-academic skills, and physical development. It is for children who are age 3. The program is based on a combination of the French National Education program and the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. The specific focal points of this program are individualized for each student.

Curriculum

The program and instruction of PK3 is based on a combination of the French National Education program and the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. The specific focal points of this program are individualized for each student.

At 3 years of age, this is a time of rapid physical, cognitive and social development. Through experiences and structured play, children begin to understand the places, people and things in their culture and environment

Oral Language

Extending vocabulary and sentence structure, introduction to a second language, listening to language in a variety of contexts such as stories, songs, chants and poems. PK3 students start to learn about books and the written language.

Motor Skills

Mastering large and small muscle control, coordination and balance required for daily tasks such as dressing, eating, using the restroom and carrying items. Extending play skills to run, jump, hop and throw. PK3 students begin to use small muscles more effectively to cut, paint, draw and write their name.

Discover the World

Making sense of the world through an understanding of daily routines, concepts of color, shape and quantity, and discoveries about nature. PK3 students begin to count accurately, explore number writing and develop concepts of time, space, earth, sky and plant life.

Learn to Live Together

Working with adults, playing cooperatively with peers, following simple safety rules. KG3 students develop increased self-confidence and independence and begin to understand and anticipate daily routines.

Schedule
7:30 – 7:50
Children are greeted by a teacher, put away their belongings and find an activity. Children can work with blocks, manipulative, or books, or participate in teacher-led activities.
7:50 – 8:50
French – Children participate in group discussions and lessons in language activities
8:50 – 9:50
French – Children gather for lessons in math and science
9:50 to 10:10
Snack and recess
10:10 – 11:10
English – Children participate in group discussions and lessons in language activities
11:10 – 12:10
English – Children gather for lessons in math and science
12:05 – 12:35
Lunch and Recess
12:35 – 14:15
Nap
14:15 – 15:15
English – Children gather for lessons in science or participate in physical education activities
French – Children participate in physical education activities, arts and music
15:15 – 15:30
Planned activities and/or outdoor time, Parents arriving for 3:15 pickup.
15:30 – 16:30
Aftercare – French and English language enrichment activities, parent arriving for 16:30 pickup.

 

* This is not a fixed Schedule; Specific course offerings may vary from semester to semester.

Preschool La Maternelle pic4

Moyenne – (MS – PK4)

Welcome to Pre-Kindergarten 4

The Moyenne (MS – PK4) class provides exciting learning opportunities that nurture cognitive, social-emotional, physical and creative development. The teachers help children build confidence, curiosity and develop the skills needed for a happy and rewarding future. PK4 students are prepared for success in elementary school from a balance of academic and social development, physical well-being and creative expression.

The program is based on a combination of the French National Education program and the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. The specific focal points of this program are individualized for each student.

Curriculum

The program focuses on all areas of development literacy, cognitive, math, language, social studies, science, physical, and the arts. Our goals include developing social and emotional skills, fostering independence and instilling a love of lifelong learning.

Oral Language

Building complex sentences, using words correctly, learning academic vocabulary, responding to rhyme and rhythm, listening to longer stories, answering questions. PK4 students learn to listen carefully to words and sounds in preparation for reading.

Written Language

Distinguishing parts of the text, learning correct letter formation, matching letters and sounds. PK4 students develop a large selection of letter-sound associations in preparation for writing words and sentences.

Motor Skills

Continuing practice in large motor skills, understanding position in space. MS students refine their fine motor skills, with special emphasis on correct pencil grasp for writing.

Discover the World

Exploring 2-digit counting, patterns and sets. Learning about specific science topics such as animal habitats or butterflies. PK4 students examine increasingly complex topics.

Learn to Live Together

Extending attention span during listening times, working cooperatively in groups, solving conflicts with words. PK4 students develop an understanding of the distinction between work and play time.

Schedule
7:30 – 7:50
Children are greeted by a teacher, put away their belongings and find an activity. Children can work with blocks, manipulative, or books, or participate in teacher-led activities.
7:50 – 8:50
French – Children participate in group discussions and lessons in language activities
8:50 – 9:50
French – Children gather for lessons in math
9:50 to 10:10
Snack and recess
10:10 – 11:10
English – Children participate in group discussions and lessons in language activities and music
11:10 – 12:10
French – Children participate in lessons for science and music
English – Children gather for lessons in math and STEM
12:10 – 13:15
Lunch
13:15 – 14:15
English – Children gather for lessons in math
French – Children participate in arts and music
14:15 – 15:15
English – Children participate in lessons for STEM, math, Parents arriving for 3:15 pickup.
French – Children participate in science and physical education activities, Parents arriving for 3:15 pickup.
15:15 – 15:30
Planned activities and/or outdoor time, Parents arriving for 3:15 pickup.
15:30 – 16:30
Aftercare – French and English language enrichment activities, parent arriving for 4:30 pickup.

 

* This is not a fixed Schedule; Specific course offerings may vary from semester to semester.

Instruction

Our program follows the requirements of the French Ministry of Education, whose demanding curriculum has a proven track record of success. The French National Education curriculum is learner-centered and focused on students’ needs. LIH welcomes children starting at 18 months old and offers a context-based education that is tailored to the profile of every child, so they can develop their knowledge and skills to their highest potential. Our teachers use the latest findings in the fields of cognitive science and neurology to adapt their teaching and closely follow each child. Our learning environment is one that is calm and positive and our children learn in small class sizes.

Digital language (coding) is taught in addition to alphabetical languages (French and English). Using a playful approach to learn algorithms, students create, reason and cooperate to accomplish projects and activities. Students use programming basics and see their work evolve to their great satisfaction. When coupling language acquisition with mathematical principles in the execution of projects, students solidify and consolidate learning.

Student : Teacher Ratio

We welcome a maximum number of students in la Crèche/18 months is 9, TPS/ PreK2 is 11 children per class, PreK3 and PreK4 a maximum of 15 children, with an average ratio of 1 adult for 9 children.

Teachers

All of our teachers have real-world experience and give personalized attention to each student. They each have experience working in international institutions within bilingual or multilingual programs.

LANGUAGE ALLOCATION

Cycle I
PK 3
PK 4
Kindergarten
13.5 hours taught in French
Language and culture (spoken and written)
mathematics, social studies, arts
11.5 hours taught in English
Language and culture (spoken and written)
mathematics, science, technology, coding, sports