Cougar Prep is a time spent fostering a love of play, exploration, and learning! We understand that every child is unique and gifted in their own way. Therefore, at Clariden, we work to develop the whole child. All areas of development play equal importance in the Cougar Prep classrooms. Gross motor and social development tasks are just as vital as cognitive and pre-reading, writing, and math tasks
Through our learning environments, we promote the academic, physical, moral, language, and social/emotional development of our students. Cougar Prep curriculum includes: Language & Literacy, Emergent Writing, Emergent Math, Sensory, Science, Dramatic Play, Spanish, Art, Music, Physical Education, and Technology. Teaching is centered around active learning, discovery, inquiry, and exploration. We use a variety of curricula and take a “Best of the best” approach in developing lessons, projects, and activities.
Project-Based Learning is the main focus of our program. We will complete four projects over the course of the school year. Through research and discovery, students will build a deeper understanding of content. Project work is done individually and through collaboration and teamwork with peers. At the end of each project, students will present their discoveries to their parents and peers at our Presentation of Learning, a Museum Exhibition, or a Gallery Walk.
Developing critical social skills is necessary for preschoolers. How to share and cooperate, work together, take turns, participate in group activities, follow simple directions and communicate their wants and needs are all skills we work on in Cougar Prep.
After a visit to Clariden and speaking with our faculty, we hope you discover that Cougar Prep is the place where your child will be loved and cared for, where they will make lifelong friends, and develop their identity as a learner, innovator, collaborator, and a leader.
Sincerely,
The Cougar Prep Team
Francine Myers
Anne Todd
Maddison Darnell
Project Based Learning (PBL) is the heart of the educational experience at Clariden. Every grade, from preschool to Upper School, builds their academic year around four or more engaging, multi-disciplinary projects. The PBL projects are generated to rigorously address and exceed Texas Curriculum Standards, while incorporating student interests.
Projects are driven by rich, real-world, and relevant research questions. The learning process simulates the way problems are solved in the workforce: through team effort, exploration, testing, and evidence-informed conclusions. Projects combine research, composition, public speaking, and presentation skills. Each project framework includes goals, methods, lessons, timeline and assessments.
The PBL Framework:
- Driving Question
- Learning Outcomes
- Concepts Introduced
- Technology Introduced
- Vocabulary
- Field Study
- Presentation of Learning / Assessment
``Elephants``
