Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Curriculum topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kensington Elementary begins integrated literacy pilot and marks Fire Prevention Month
Summary
Principal Becky Ruhl described a pilot of an integrated 'Arts and Letters' literacy program with daily implementation time and additional phonics instruction; she also reported students' activities with the Kensington Fire Department for fire-prevention education.
Principal Becky Ruhl told the board Kensington Elementary has launched the first of two pilot literacy programs, called an "Arts and Letters" pilot, which integrates reading, writing, science and social studies into units anchored by essential questions.
"The pilots, we reserve 60 minutes each day that's dedicated in their schedule, for the implementation of the pilots," Ruhl said, and added classrooms also include 30 to 45 minutes for phonics and phonemic awareness to build foundational skills. Ruhl described sample essential questions by grade (for kindergarten: "How do people use their senses to explain/experience the world?" and for grade 4: "What does it mean to have a good heart?"), and said teachers are piloting materials and adapting instructional time.
Ruhl also highlighted a growth-mindset lesson on "size of the problem" implemented by the school counselor and reported a Kensington Fire Department visit for Fire Prevention Month. Students toured the firehouse, rode in a truck, practiced with a hose and experienced a hands-on demonstration, which staff described as a community partnership to build safety awareness.
Ruhl said the pilot scheduling and supports are aligned with district goals and that the pilots require teacher planning and adjustment as staff learn new materials and routines.
