Building Blocks Students Take Learning Full Steam Ahead

Building Blocks students at Ashland Ranch Elementary recently completed a unit that brought classroom concepts to life through physical activity and cooperative play.

During the week, students worked together to navigate an obstacle course while holding a rope to form a "class train." This exercise required the children to coordinate their movements and communicate with their peers to successfully reach the end of the course. After completing the obstacle course, the classroom’s market center was also repurposed into a steam engine, where students practiced the motions of shoveling coal to power the train. These activities helped students understand how transportation systems function while developing important motor skills.

Preschool Programs at Ashland Ranch Elementary
Building Blocks is just one of the preschool programs offered at Ashland Ranch. The school offers multiple pathways to ensure every student has an environment to thrive in:

• Building Blocks: A uniquely designed curriculum based on AZ Early Childhood Standards, creating a foundation for young students to build upon, promoting confidence within an elementary school environment.
• Kindergarten Prep (KPrep): Engaging curriculum designed specifically for children to learn practical skills to prepare them for K-12 and beyond.
• Gifted KPrep: A specialized afternoon program that uses an enriched curriculum for discovery-based learning and emphasizes critical and creative thinking.
• Advantage: A guided play program aligned with the Arizona Department of Education Early Learning Standards with a focus on critical thinking skills and social-emotional development. 

Ashland Ranch Elementary is committed to providing a high-quality educational environment that supports the growth of the whole child. Our preschool programs are the first step in a lifelong journey of learning and community. To learn more about Ashland Ranch, schedule a tour at AshlandRanch.GilbertSchools.net/Tour.