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2024-25 Info Session

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WE BUILD TIGERS FOR LIFE

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ALL ABOUT ELRC

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ELRC FACTS

Enrollment

105 Students

Ages

2-year-olds – PreK/K

Demographics

53% W, 47% BIPOC

Adult to Child Ratio

4:1 Average

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OUR APPROACH

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EARLY CHILDHOOD DEMONSTRATIONS

Montessori

Reggio Emilia

University Pre-K

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DEMONSTRATION: MONTESSORI

  • Multi-age classroom-ages 3 through Kindergarten​

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  • Work is child-directed ​

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  • Purposefully designed hands-on learning materials​

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  • Each student’s work is individual; children progress at their own pace​

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  • Encourages intrinsic motivation, sustained attention, and a sense of responsibility to oneself and others​

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  • Student work follows a logical progression of skills​

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  • Trained Montessori teachers guide the process​

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DEMONSTRATION: REGGIO EMILIA

  • Four classrooms, ages 2 through 4​

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  • Learning is led by the​ 1) Children​, 2) Environment​ and 3) Teacher as a Guide​

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  • Creative, co-learning environment ​

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  • Hands-on collaborative exploration ​

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  • Emergent curriculum planned around the children’s interests and needs​

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  • Lessons adapt in real-time​

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  • Project-based, cooperative learning​

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  • Academic skills embedded into classroom activities and project work​

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  • Fosters a sense of agency and creativity ​

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DEMONSTRATION: UNIVERSITY PRE-K

  • One classroom; 4-year-old pre-kindergarten students​

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  • Partnership program with First 8 Memphis​

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  • Reggio Emilia approach to learning​

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  • Responsive to children’s needs and interests ​

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  • Family engagement and support​

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  • Tuition-free for qualifying families​

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THE ARTS

MUSIC INSTRUCTION

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  • Whole Group​

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  • 2 Days/Week​

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  • Gordon Institute Music Learning Theory

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ART STUDIO

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  • Weekly Small Group Studio Time​

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  • Experiences with techniques & variety of materials

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AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT

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  • Soccer ​

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  • Gymnastics​

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  • Basketball ​

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  • Foreign Languages​

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  • Mandarin​

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  • Spanish​

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  • Sign Language​

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  • Ballet ​

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  • Yoga​

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  • Environmental Science​

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  • Robotics​

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  • Clay​

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  • Gardening​

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  • Animal Encounters​

3pm – 5:00pm Daily

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SCHOOL YEAR

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INSTRUCTIONAL CALENDAR

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SUMMER CAMP

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2024-25 TIMELINE

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2023-24 ENROLLMENT TIMELINE

  • Applications accepted online year-round​

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  • Classroom placement based on child’s age as of August 15, 2024​

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  • Priority Enrollment Groups​

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  • Enrollment notifications will be sent via email in January 2024

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1) Children/dependents of UofM full-time faculty and staff​

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2) Siblings of currently enrolled ELRC students​

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3) Children/dependents of full-time UofM students​

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4) Children of Shelby County residents​

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QUESTION & ANSWER

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QUESTION & ANSWER

Brooke Willis

Executive Director

Early Learning & Research Center

Anna Grace Wier

Supervising Teacher

Reggio Emilia Preschool

Ligia Lavarreda

Supervising Teacher

Montessori Classroom