Junior School
(K-Grade 3)
An early education at Urban Academy inspires students to develop awareness of their identities: who they are, what they are passionate about, how they interact with others and the impact they have on the world. This is where students gain a foundation to become the leaders, thinkers and innovators of tomorrow.
We believe that by inspiring children, they will accomplish great things.
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An integrated curriculum and inquiry-based approach helps students delve into problem solving skills, develop resilience and encourage mindfulness.
Students are introduced to big ideas and problems, to which the solution requires an understanding of numerous core subject areas including numeracy, language arts, science and the arts. These large scale projects require students to conduct research, discussion and link their learning to real life.
Resiliency lives at Urban Academy as our approach teaches students that there’s always more than one way to solve a problem. Students learn that it takes effort to acquire new skills and they are introduced to sports, physical activities and extra-curricular clubs to further expose them to new concepts, ideas and challenges.
Urban Academy also focuses on helping students discover their passions. Drama, French and Music specialists teach children new skills, as well as the impact of art and culture. These programs help students uncover talents and develop potential lifelong skills and interests.
Creativity
Students use art, drama and music to teach mindfulness and bring core academics to life. They integrate First Nations music in Music class to study community and diversity. They are taught about great contemporary Canadian artists such as Ted Harrison and Emily Carr to learn techniques and Canadian art history. As an example, students are introduced to artists such as Wassily Kandinsky and the Kandinsky circles to bring to life the concepts of geometric shapes that they learn about in math.
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Innovative Learning
Exploring new ways to learn is the most innovative way to transfer knowledge. It takes more effort to infuse the latest innovations into lessons, but the results really speak for themselves. Using new software and programs is standard here and every day we challenge what it means to get an education. During Technology class students utilize the latest apps to support learning in reading and spelling. By experimenting with the creation of avatars and animated characters students gain an early introduction to the concept of coding.
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Experiential Learning
At Urban Academy, the environment becomes the curriculum. Students are energized and connected to their studies by actually getting out and experiencing what they are learning about. They enjoy daily physical activity outside and teachers take classroom learning beyond the classroom walls at every available opportunity during the regular school week.
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Real World Integration
What better way to connect students to the real world than to actually bring local community figures into the classroom? Urban Academy brings in police officers, doctors, postal workers, mechanics and other professionals into class to present how individuals make up a community and the vital roles that they each play. Community Service Club allows students to serve those in the community through food making and letter writing programs. Students have the opportunity to explore who they are to gain insight into the world and what they want to achieve with their lives.
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Kindergarten - Grade 3 Curriculum
Language Arts
- Beginning to develop literacy skills
- Playing with story and language to develop an understanding of story structure and literary elements
- Participating in a story workshop
- Exploring drama integration
- Learning through guided reading
- Using multi-modal literacy centres
- Engaging in tactical learning
Math
- Discovering an introduction to number sense, graphing, shapes, measurement and patterning
- Learning hands-on and with the use of manipulatives
- Beginning to develop mental math strategies
Social Emotional Learning & Mindfulness
- Creating an understanding of oneself and others
- Using brain science, self-regulation, social awareness and problem solving
PE & Health
- Collaborating in games which encourage an understanding of the importance of daily physical activity
- Learning sportsmanship and fair play
- Discovering fundamentals and safety
- Using the school gym and going outside
- Developing an awareness of good health practices including healthy eating, healthy relationships and positive self-image
Social Studies
- Contributing to a community
- Discovering how communities change over time
- Understanding how our community shapes who we are
- Engaging in various field studies to enhance understanding
Science
- Developing a sense of wonder for the world
- Investigating through hands-on experiments to encourage questioning and predicting
- Attending various field studies to enhance understanding
Technology
- Using class sets of iPads
- Utilizing technology for printing practice, reading and “word work”
- Learning basic presentation skills and an introduction to PowerPoint
- Creating books and composing songs on GarageBand
- Gaining an introduction to coding
French
- Learning basic conversational skills
- Engaging in show and tell
- Using vocabulary linking to units of inquiry
- Counting and learning the different parts of the body
Art
- Exploring different mediums and techniques
- Discovering opportunities for personal exploration
- Engaging in artist studies
Drama
- Developing oral language skills
- Participating in two performances per year
- Using tableaus and puppetry
- Engaging in movement activities
Music
- Playing musical games
- Performing throughout the year
- Playing orff and percussion instruments
- Exploring rhythm, beat, tempo and pitch
Field Study
Field study is linked to units of inquiry and subject to change from year to year. Examples are:
- Visiting the Beaty Biodiversity Museum
- Exploring the Vancouver Aquarium
- Discovering Burnaby Village Museum
- Attending the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
- Seeing the Carousel Theatre
Career Education
- Setting personal goals for the school year
- Acknowledging accomplishments, skills and interests
- Developing healthy relationships
Library
- Exploring different genres
- Reading aloud and sharing books
- Practicing reading skills
benefits
Challenging Curriculum
While following the Ministry of Education Curriculum, Urban Academy teachers approach learning by harnessing the natural interests of the students. By navigating curriculum through inquiry and linking curriculum together through broader units, students are able to better understand how various skills can be applied to real world ideas.
Inquiry-Based Learning
We help students learn by focusing teaching around their questions. By embracing investigation, we optimize retention, encourage discussion and help students take ownership of their education. Inquiry-based learning leads to more interdisciplinary lessons, more creative thinking and more complex solutions.
Weekly French, Music, Drama & Technology
Exposing students to a variety of subjects while they are young helps them develop an appreciation for the arts, language and expands their skills. Through music and drama performances, they also develop confidence that leads to public speaking and presentation skills. Technology is taught as a tool to help students further their academic learning as well as to begin learning the basic ideas around coding and various apps.
Mindfulness
During the primary years, students begin to understand the world and how they fit into it as individuals. They learn that actions have an impact, how to interact with others, as well as how their identity and passions can make them insightful global citizens.
extracurriculars
Students attend field trips linked to their areas of study and have an opportunity to participate in a constantly growing array of clubs – either before school, at lunch or after school. They explore and engage with the school community through activities like our Remembrance Day assembly, Sports Day, day camp opportunities, Terry Fox run, Halloween party and Body Science Awareness. Parent integration also plays a role in extracurricular activities such as Mother’s Day Tea, Winter Concert, Spring Play and parent teacher conferences.
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Student Services
The “extras” beyond the classroom create meaningful experiences and ensure every student is connected, learning and invigorated.
- Out of School Care
- Introduction to technology
- Library
- Drama and Music specialist instruction.
- Ongoing academic assessment
- Bus transportation
- Mindfulness instruction
- Mentorship opportunities (as both a mentor and a mentee)
- A variety of clubs each term
- Field study linked to units of inquiry
Latest News
see all newsHead of School’s Weekly Message
Hello UA families, If we’re lucky, on occasion, we get to experience an event or significant moment that you know will stay with you for some time. I have been fortunate enough to experience two this past week! The first was the UA Gala held on Saturday evening. Thank you to everyone who participated and […]
Head of School’s Weekly Message
Hello UA families, Last week staff and students at Urban Academy engaged in a number of activities in recognition of Canadian Mental Health Week. These included various mindfulness activities, daily body breaks, buddy walks where students from different levels of the school went together to the park, and a wonderful talent show on Friday. The biggest hit was […]
Head of School’s Weekly Message
Next week is Mental Health Week! A cross-Canada initiative, Canadian Mental Health Week encourages Canadians to explore mental health literacy and build their personal toolbox of strategies and systems for staying healthy and well. We are excited to launch our inaugural Mental Health Week at UA and are thankful to the teachers and students who have put together a variety of activities to […]
inqure todayThe right education takes your child from remembering and reciting to knowing and understanding.
Stop imagining. Start achieving.
Innovation
Urban Academy innovates the way learning happens, bringing the latest breakthroughs into every aspect of the educational experience.
learn more +Creativity
Urban Academy focuses on creative perspectives in learning, enabling students to develop their own processes.
learn more +Experiential
At Urban Academy, learning transcends the classroom and outdoor education is an integral learning tool at each grade level.
learn more +Junior
We believe that by following the enthusiasm of young minds, they will open big doors.
learn more +Intermediate
We believe that by empowering children, they will create their own pathways to success.
learn more +Middle
We believe that by allowing children to demonstrate their knowledge, they will build confidence.
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