The Grasshoppers Class: Inquiry-Based Learning for highly capable preschoolers who are 30 months through early 4 year olds
- 1:4 teacher-child ratio
- Small homerooms to build a caring community
- Monday-Thursday, 9:30am-1:00pm
- Since 2007, 88% of Bellevue Discovery preschoolers have moved on to gifted programs
- Grasshoppers Flexible Schedule
- Poster about the Grasshoppers Class
- A Sample Week’s Curriculum in the Grasshoppers Class
The Grasshoppers Curriculum
Skill-Based Instruction: art, science, math, reading, writing, fine motor skills and kindergarten readiness, with small group hands-on activities and a variety of Building Block classes (Drama Club, Math Games, School Skills and Science Lab)
Play-Based Exploration: fostering social-emotional growth, divergent thinking, executive function skills and foundational learning about our world
Inquiry-Based Learning: nurturing the 21st Century Skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creative production
Project-Based Learning with the Grasshoppers: The children engage in multiple projects during the year, building their problem-solving and presentation skills and moving toward more independent work.
Best Practices: Bellevue Discovery teachers follow NAEYC and NAGC best practices (National Association for the Education of Young Children; National Association for Gifted Children). We work closely with the admissions directors at local independent gifted schools to ensure our children are fully prepared to thrive in kindergarten.