ROOM 2
Our Classroom
Kindergarten students at Will Rogers Learning Community develop respect for others and oneself, are responsible for their actions and choices, take pride in their work, value individual uniqueness, and pursue excellence. Through the development of these values we create a warm and inviting classroom environment conducive to learning. We construct meaningful learning experiences that fulfill or exceed the kindergarten curriculum standards through individual work and peer collaboration.
Curriculum
Literacy
Monday through Thursday students take part in four literacy stations:
1) GUIDED READING with the teacher
2) RCT guided with our PHONICS PROGRAM BY MICHAEL HEGGERTY curriculum.
3) PHONICS, WORD BUILDING, WORD WORK, WORD SORTS, or SIGHT WORD instruction with our classroom instructional assistant
4) INDIVIDUALIZED INDEPENDENT WORK CENTER: either on a computer based program of Lexia/Starfall/Raz-Kids or independent work.
Additionally, we use the district’s adopted reading program BENCHMARK for daily whole group literacy lessons in: phonological awareness, phonics, read alouds, comprehension skills, concepts about print, listening and speaking skills. For writing we use the LUCY CALKIN’S writing workshop model.
The cornerstone of our mathematic philosophy at WRLC is COGNITIVELY GUIDED INSTRUCTION (CGI). It is a hands-on approach that supports individualized development through strategy and teacher questioning. At the Kindergarten level the emphasis is on counting, sorting/classifying and problem solving. We also use the district’s adopted math program: MY MATH series which stresses hands-on learning and collaborative projects to master basic skills. ST Math is a newly adopted computer based mathematical program. We also use supplemental programs as needed to meet individual needs.
As a STEM Academy, we work closely with our STEM Coordinator and integrate the four components of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics across our curriculum. Together we use NGSS as our core curriculum. Lessons are hands-on, project, and inquiry based. Our three units of study involve life, earth, and physical science.
We use HARCOURT BRACE’S REFLECTION series as our social studies program. Our social studies program will cover learning about being a good citizen, our country, life today and long ago, workers in our community, basic economic concepts, change over time and stories of the past.
Students have access to our classroom iPads on a daily basis to reinforce reading, language and math skills. We also visit the computer lab weekly to master basic computer skills and to apply those skills in an integral way into our curriculum.
Responsive Classroom
As a school we are using a community-building approach called Responsive Classroom. As part of Responsive Classroom, we start each day with a Morning Meeting composed of the following four components: 1) GREETING: sets a positive tone, sense of belonging, and practice offering hospitality 2) SHARE: practice skills for individual voice, creates a sense of community 3) ACTIVITY/GAME: practice turn taking, body control, problem solving and cooperative play 4) MORNING MESSAGE: creates predictability and structure in an exciting way.
Part of the philosophy behind Responsive Classroom is that social skills are as important as academics skills, but more importantly, that social skills are an integral part of all classroom learning.
PS Arts
Students will immerse their creative skills into the PS Arts program throughtout the year. Guided by an art teacher, they will learn about various art forms, techniques and will be exposed to famous art pieces. As part of PS Arts, our young artist also become musicians with the help and support of a music teacher. Thanks to funds raised in 2013 -2014 for VSS (Vision for Student Success) instruction wlll be expanded to all SMMUSD schools. Thank you for supporting our young creative minds!
