Academics
LLA’s mission is to nurture strong moral character and academic excellence for students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade.
The staff of Little Lotus Academy have developed a diverse, rich, and engaging curriculum, combining Western classical education materials, traditional Chinese culture, and original innovations that provide students with scientific, cultural, and historical context for understanding the spiritual teachings of Falun Dafa, becoming informed citizens, and excelling in future academic environments.
Elementary Curriculum Overview
By the time they graduate, LLA students are proficient in reading and writing in English and Chinese and have completed a rigorous mathematics curriculum.
Most students enthusiastically devour books and read above their grade level.
They have been exposed to important works of classical children’s literature from both East and West, gained an understanding and appreciation for the formation of the United States, ancient civilizations, and the Renaissance, and obtained in-depth knowledge and hands on experience with traditional Chinese art, classical dance and music, and scientific topics such as mammals, botany, electricity, geology, the human body, and the solar system.
Below are the core pillars that make up LLA’s Elementary Curriculum.
Daily Fa Study and Falun Dafa Exercises
Teachers read Falun Dafa teachings in English and/or Chinese with students and correct exercise movements.
Daily English, Math, and Chinese Classes
At the core of the academic curriculum are daily classes in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Chinese.
Teaching materials for ELA are carefully selected to be wholesome, beautiful, and effective at teaching phonics, reading, spelling, writing, and grammar, including to non-native English speakers, while meeting or exceeding New York state standards.
Students visit the LLA library once a week, where carefully vetted books at age appropriate levels are available for them to read and borrow.
The well-known Singapore Math system is used for mathematics.
Academic Excellence
In April 2024, LLA students in grades 3rd to 5th completed the IOWA standardized test in Math, nearly all scoring above their grade level and the national average.
Over half of the students tested scored better than 90 percent of students their age in the United States who took the Math or Computation exam.
Weekly Knowledge, Virtue, and Elective Classes
Pupils study classical literature, US and world history, and science. They learn about the natural world through explanatory lectures, hands-on experiments, and educational field trips.
At weekly Virtue class, teachers expound upon, discuss, and rehearse with students how to exemplify the school’s Virtue of the Month.
For electives, LLA offers traditional Chinese art, music appreciation, physical education, and classical Chinese dance.
Traditional Chinese Art
In kindergarten and lower grades children are introduced to Traditional Chinese Art. They learn about color and practice fine motor skills.
Grades 2-5 learn different ink-painting techniques on rice paper using the Maobi Calligraphy Brush.
The students learn how to use ink and water in traditional ink wash painting, as well as the relationship between ink, water, and rice paper. They realize that these three elements need to be harmonized in order to paint with spontaneity and expressiveness.
Homework
The primary purpose of homework is to enhance and practice classroom learning.
Most students will not receive daily homework, but periodic assignments when additional practice is needed, as well as reading over the weekend.
Students are required to complete homework in a timely manner as directed by their teachers.
Parents are encouraged to be involved in checking on homework assigned and communicating with teachers when there is a question.
Grading
Students receive grades for individual assignments, which inform report card grades provided at the end of each term (end of January, end of June).
For more information, please refer to the LLA Handbook For Students And Parents.