Curriculum & Enrichment
Mulberry School provides a continuous learning model. Our preschool classes implement a developmentally-tailored curriculum addressing social, emotional, and pre-academic growth. Beginning in Kindergarten and continuing through our multiage classrooms, children work as members of whole group and small group cooperative learning partnerships. Our students learn through multi-disciplinary project-based experiences combined with dedicated time for specific academic skill building. Mulberry teachers construct their curriculum using the Illinois State Standards as a guideline from which they can expand outward. Throughout the school, children are encouraged to make choices that can lead to independence, self confidence, a sense of responsibility and respect for those around them. From this environment, students emerge as strong, compassionate individuals.
Art
Mulberry School’s Art program is taught by an amazing art instructor named Bonnie Bernardi. Ms. Bonnie joined the Mulberry team in 2002, after teaching art in the public schools for more than 20 years. While introducing different movements of art history, Ms. Bonnie inspires each student to explore his/her creative potential. Through her efforts, even a four year old attending Mulberry will recognize the artwork of Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson Pollock.
Spanish
Exposure to Spanish starts in our Pre-K classes. Children have weekly sessions where a game or activity includes Spanish vocabulary and frequently a cultural connection to Latin or Spanish customs. These experiences are made possible through our partnership with the Illinois State University College of Education.
Starting in Kindergarten, students participate twice a week in Spanish instruction from Melissa Surber, one of our classroom teachers. During these sessions students practice both conversational Spanish and written Spanish skills.
Field Trips
Mulberry stresses the importance of connecting students with experiences beyond the walls of our school building. Some recent field experiences include:
- The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
- Dickson Mounds Museum
- Illinois State University’s Braden Auditorium to see the Illinois Symphony
- Children’s Discovery Museum of Bloomington-Normal
- Mack Glass Studios
- Illinois State University’s Planetarium
- Tanner’s Apple Orchard
- The David Davis Mansion
- Parents are always welcome to accompany us on our field trips!
Daily Schedules
Click here for daily schedules in each class.
