How Do We Learn?

            During the course of the year, we will integrate skills through themes of study.  We will be doing a year long theme on our community, Auburn , Alabama .   We will focus on geography, transportation, animals, plants, environments and economic systems. This theme will last until May and conclude with a pod-wide culminating activity.  This theme will allow for the development of reading, writing, math, science and social studies skills. 

         The reading process will be developed through a balanced program including shared reading, guided reading and independent reading.  The children will work at their own pace.  My goal is to conference with each child three times a week.

            Math skills will be developed through the use of games and problem solving activities.  These methods help children develop their logical thinking skills and problem solving skills much more effectively than a math workbook.  The games and problem solving activities will provide an opportunity for the development of these skills at an individual pace.

            Writing and spelling will be developed through the writing process.  In writing, approximated spelling is accepted and encouraged.  Through daily interaction your child and I will discuss conventional spelling and ways to develop that spelling.  They will develop spelling strategies at their own pace.  Reggie Routman states, “Standard spelling is the consequence of writing and reading, not the access to it… standard spelling is of little consequence if you do not write.”  During the writing process, the children will further develop overall writing and spelling skills.  It is during this process that they will learn about revising, editing and publishing.  In addition to writing and spelling, the children will develop storytelling skills and vocabulary.

            Science and Social Studies are developed through our themes of study.   It is through this format that we will learn general and specific information about our theme of choice.  The children will also learn to choose projects to further enhance this study.  Before long they will be researching topics of interest to them as they relate to our themes.  This also promotes the development of math, reading, writing, spelling and art skills.

            The children will be assessed by checklists, teacher observations, anecdotal records, running reading records and conferences.  There will be one opportunity during the year for conferences to discuss your child’s progress.  If you feel that you need a conference at any other time during the year, please feel free to contact me and schedule one.  I will do the same.