Ignite (Kindergarten-2nd Grade)

Our optional 2 or 4 day program creates a nurturing, small-group environment for kindergarten through 2nd grade learners. With a lower student-to-teacher ratio, we deliver personalized, hands-on education that blends foundational academics, real-world skills, creativity, and independence helping young children thrive academically, socially, and practically.

Payment plans are available. 

Core Academic Foundations
We build strong basics in math and literacy through engaging, play-based activities and discussions that spark curiosity and critical thinking.

Math Skills 
Children are introduced to number sense and operations while exploring shapes, measurement, and data in meaningful ways:  
- Counting forward and backward; recognizing numbers 0–20  
- Understanding more/less/equal, addition/subtraction concepts, and simple equations (e.g., 3 + 2)  
- Identifying 2D and 3D shapes; counting sides and corners  
- Comparing objects by length, height, and weight  
- Early time concepts (days of the week, morning/afternoon/night)  
- Recognizing coins and basic sorting/patterns (AB, AAB, ABB)  

As skills progress, we introduce:  
- Place value (ones, tens, hundreds, thousands)  
- Rounding, skip counting, and basic math facts memorization  
- Solving addition/subtraction word problems  
- Making change under $1  
- Creating bar graphs: asking questions, collecting/sorting data, and graphing results  

Literacy & Language Skills 
We foster a love of reading, storytelling, and communication through rich literature, group discussions, and creative expression:  
- Recognizing upper- and lowercase letters; blending and segmenting sounds to read simple words  
- Identifying main characters, setting, conflict, solution; making predictions and asking questions about stories  
- Retelling and summarizing stories (beginning, middle, end); describing characters, settings, and events  
- Comparing/contrasting characters; relating texts to personal experiences  
- Participating in conversations, taking turns speaking/listening  

Advanced focus includes:  
- Identifying main idea and key details  
- Distinguishing fiction vs. nonfiction  
- Summarizing passages in their own words  
- Author studies (including guest author visits)  

Entrepreneurship & Problem-Solving
We nurture young innovators and critical thinkers by encouraging curiosity, creativity, and real-world application:  
- Asking questions, spotting problems, and brainstorming solutions (e.g., "How can we move these books?")  
- Building original creations from loose parts  
- Introducing themselves, sharing ideas, asking for help  
- Hands-on projects like making bookmarks, using the laminator independently, or operating a heat press  
- Group projects, setting goals, tracking progress  
- Understanding earn/save/spend/donate; cost vs. profit  
- Participating in a market to sell their creations (spring 2026 focus)  

Critical thinking threads throughout: testing predictions, noticing details (detective-style spot-the-difference activities), explaining reasoning, giving evidence-based answers, and imagining new ideas.

Essential Life & Independence Skills
We emphasize practical, everyday competencies that build confidence and responsibility:  
- Independent routines: unpacking lunchbox, putting on/zippering coat, washing hands, wiping tables, sweeping  
- Preparing simple snacks (including safe cutting)  
- Knowing full name, phone number, and address  
- Basic safety: recognizing signs, fire drill procedures, road safety, when/how to call 911  
- Participating in a community service project  

Creative & Artistic Expression
Children explore art through:  
- Weaving and printmaking  
- Open-ended imaginative play and creation  

This joyful, multi-age program (meeting 2 or 4 days per week) combines structured skill-building with flexible, child-led exploration—preparing young learners not just for the next grade, but for a lifetime of curious, capable, and compassionate growth.