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Lincoln School spotlights hands-on pre-K science and explicit phonics instruction
Summary
Lincoln School of Early Learning demonstrated pre‑K science experiments and described district use of UFLI phonics: teachers use a daily 30‑minute block of explicit phonics instruction supported by professional development and peer observation.
Lincoln School of Early Learning presented a combined classroom demonstration and curriculum spotlight to the Coquille SD 8 board. Pre‑K teacher Kaylee described and demonstrated hands-on activities used to teach observation and hypothesis skills—Oobleck (a substance Kaylee called “a liquid and a solid”), volcano projects that show acid-base reactions and gas capture, caterpillar-to-butterfly life cycles, capillary 'walking rainbow' experiments, and germ‑awareness demos using pepper and soap. "This is Oobleck, and it is a liquid and a solid," Kaylee said while introducing the tactile activity.
Cassie Green, Lincoln’s dean of students, explained the school’s use of UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) as the district’s phonics tool. "We are an early learning school...and our teachers ... have a 30 minute chunk of time where we do phonics instruction," Cassie said, describing professional development, peer observations, and a staggered rollout (first grade in its third year; kindergarten more recently). Board members asked whether the program aligns with the science of reading; staff confirmed the program is science-of-reading aligned and described supports for fidelity and adult learning. The presentation concluded with teachers from the kindergarten team invited to demonstrate classroom practice.
