A Private Pre-Kindergarten Serving Fort Lauderdale Newly Integrates iPads Into Academic Program

WESTON, FL, January 10, 2013 (Press-News.org) The Sagemont School has always embraced technology. Its middle and high school students were using laptops long before they became commonplace on school campuses. Now, even the school's youngest students are engaging in a technology-rich curriculum. Recently, the school introduced iPad technology and Interactive Whiteboards to its pre-kindergarten classes.

Sagemont's Academic Pre-Kindergarten Program boasts a strong curriculum. It focuses on cognitive skills such as number recognition, counting, sequencing, sorting, matching, simple addition and subtraction, opposites, and simple geometry, as well as language arts skills such as letter recognition, letter sound, beginning and ending sound recognition, beginning sight words, rhyming words and phonics.

Pre-K teachers are using iPads in center-based learning activities. With over 750,000 apps available on Apple's App Store, there's one for each of these academic skills. "We use specific learning apps that help our Pre-K students learn pre-reading skills, sequencing, sound-letter recognition and patterns," explains Pre-K Teacher Mrs. Carluccio. "The apps help our students learn important concepts while having fun, all through the use of their tiny fingertips."

In addition to being fun for the children, the iPad technology allows teachers to integrate differentiated instruction into every lesson and heighten student learning. Teachers can pick and choose the apps and learning games each student will explore based on the student's academic level. The apps can be used for both remediation as well as enrichment.

"Based on student's pre-assessments, we can present each student with a well-researched, educational app based on their level. For instance, some students may need remediation in letter writing skills, while others can benefit from enrichment activities such as sight word recognition," states Pre-K Teacher Mrs. Eisensmith.

Another benefit to iPad technology is that is provides instant assessment and feedback to the children. "Because these education apps are interactive, developmentally appropriate and incorporate game technology-based learning, the children have fun while learning at the same time," notes Preschool Teacher Mrs. Weber.

Although this technology has only been in place for a few months, the Sagemont Pre-K teachers are already noticing the benefits. Not only are iPads an incredible teaching tool and motivator to learn, they have also helped students develop critical social skills such as sharing, taking turns and working together.

The school did not jump into this technology lightly. A great deal of planning was involved before the introduction of this curriculum. According to Principal Joann Laskin, the teachers were trained on how to use the iPad as well as how to find the most modern and comprehensive learning apps. "Sagemont teachers also participate in comprehensive training programs for Whiteboard technology throughout every school year to remain contemporary in our mastery of its use."

But, ultimately it's about making certain the students master the use of technology. "Technology is an integral part across all grade-level curriculums," explains Principal Laskin. "Sagemont's mission statement affirms that we are 'committed to delivering a college-preparatory Preschool through 12th grade education in a technologically-rich, supportive, and culturally-diverse learning community.'"

The Sagemont School offers a college preparatory curriculum and operates two campuses in Weston, Fl. In preschool through the elementary grades, The Sagemont School provides core concepts in a creative environment combined with weekly specials that include science, art, music, Spanish for non-native & native speakers, swimming, PE and media and technology. From middle school through high school graduation, Sagemont students choose from a variety of regular, honors and AP course work. In addition, students share in a networked wireless laptop environment and participate in a comprehensive guidance program for college entrance. Visit The Sagemont School Web site at http://www.sagemont.com/.

For more information on The Sagemont School contact Dr. Brent Goldman, President at (954) 389-2454 ext., 305, or email to bgoldman@sagemont.com.To read more stories about The Sagemont School written by Stacey Bomser go to School News at was http://www.ourcityweston.com/.

Visit Sagemont's upcoming open house on January 31, 2013 for PreK3-Grade 5 and February 3, 2013 for Grades 6-12. Go to www.sagemont.com for more open house details.