KINDERGARTEN
Literacy: LWA uses the Balanced Literacy approach to learning reading, writing , listening and speaking skills. Using the “I do, we do, you do” philosophy, students see reading and writing modeled for them, share in the reading and writing with the teacher, are coached through guided reading and writing, practice independently and are actively engaged in phonics and word study. Students are truly learning to read so that they can read to learn. Students are exposed to both fiction and non-fiction text which includes social studies and science content. Rich discussions and frequent sharing of ideas are also a part of the learning as we emphasize the development of listening and speaking skills.
Mathematics –. Students learn math from a conceptual perspective using critical thinking and reasoning. Math topics are explored through teacher modeling and guided practice as well as through math games and hand-on activities. Students are exposed to and develop math language through math talk and reading math themed books. Students tackle word problems having frequent opportunities to share their pathway to the final answer. Their thinking and solution path is just as important as the answer.
Social Studies- Students study “Self and Others” They learn about their immediate surroundings in school, about similarities and differences between children, families and communities and about holidays, symbols and traditions that unite us. They learn about respect for each other and the rights and responsibilities of individuals. They learn this through reading and writing together, having discussions, working on hands-on projects and celebrating traditions and holidays.
Science--. All students are curious about the world they live in. They are scientists. Science helps students to understand the world around them, to investigate and explain why and how things happen. We encourage our students to observe, ask questions, collect data, construct
explanations, predict, experiment, reach conclusions and share their findings. Topics covered in Kindergarten include the weather, solids and liquids, the environment, and motion of objects.
STEAM Students have the opportunity to explore and have hands-on experiences while learning science, engineering, math and technology skills. They work on various projects which enable them to investigate, design and build. These experiences help to broaden their thinking and outlook giving them experiences that may motivate them in STEM based careers.
GRADE 1
Literacy- LWA uses the Balanced Literacy approach to learning reading, writing , listening and speaking skills. Using the “I do, we do, you do” philosophy, students see reading and writing modeled for them, share in the reading and writing with the teacher, are coached through guided reading and writing, practice independently and are actively engaged in phonics and word study. Students are learning to read in this grade so that they are on the pathway of reading to learn. Students are exposed to both fiction and non-fiction text which includes social studies and science content. Rich discussions and frequent sharing of ideas are also a part of the learning as we emphasize the development of listening and speaking skills.
Mathematics-Students learn math from a conceptual perspective using critical thinking and reasoning. Math topics are explored through teacher modeling and guided practice as well as through math games and hand-on activities. Students are exposed to and develop math language through math talk and reading math themed books. Students tackle word problems having frequent opportunities to share their pathway to the final answer. Their thinking and solution path is just as important as the answer.
Social Studies-– Students continue to study topics that were started in Kindergarten around family but there is a deeper focus. Students examine their own families and other families in the present and long ago. They learn through reading and writing, discussion and sharing, and through projects about why families are important and how they influence who we are, how families change and grow over time, about communities and how jobs and money affect communities.
Science- All students are curious about the world they live in. They are scientists. Science helps students to understand the world around them, to investigate and explain why and how things happen. We encourage our students to observe, ask questions, collect data, construct explanations, predict, experiment, reach conclusions and share their findings. Topics covered in grade 1 include exploring light and solar patterns, light sound and waves and structures and behaviors in living things.
GRADE 2
Literacy–. LWA uses the Balanced Literacy approach to learning reading, writing , listening and speaking skills. Using the “I do, we do, you do” philosophy, students see reading and writing modeled for them, share in the reading and writing with the teacher, are coached through guided reading and writing, practice independently and are actively engaged in phonics and word study. Students are now reading to learn. Students are exposed to both fiction and non-fiction text which includes social studies and science content. Rich discussions and frequent sharing of ideas are also a part of the learning as we emphasize the development of listening and speaking skills.
Mathematics--. Students learn math from a conceptual perspective using critical thinking and reasoning. Math topics covered include operations and algebraic thinking, number and operations in base 10, measurement and data, and geometry. Students explore math through inquiry, using math language and playing math games in addition to the teacher modeling math concepts and guided practice for students along the way. Students tackle word problems having frequent opportunities to share their pathway to the final answer. Their thinking and solution path is just as important as the answer.
Social Studies-– Students in grade 2 focus on my community and other communities. Through reading and writing, discussions and projects, students learn how geography influences where people live and why and how and why communities change over time. They also explore how communities are the same and different as well as learn about what government is and why people need laws.
Science –-. All students are curious about the world they live in. They are scientists. Science helps students to understand the world around them, to investigate and explain why and how things happen. We encourage our students to observe, ask questions, collect data, construct explanations, predict, experiment, reach conclusions and share their findings. Topics covered in grade 2 include properties and patterns of water, changes to land over time and plant and animal interactions.
