Lincoln School showcases pre-K science projects and new phonics program

Lincoln School of Early Learning presented its pre-kindergarten science and early-literacy work to the Coquille School District 8 board. Amy May introduced the program and invited pre-K teacher Kaylee to demonstrate classroom projects. Kaylee described experiments used to teach observation and early scientific concepts, saying, "This is Oobleck, and it is a liquid and a solid." She also described annual volcano experiments (vinegar and baking soda), watching caterpillars transform into butterflies, capillary-action 'walking rainbows' to teach colors, germ/pepper demonstrations for handwashing, and a vinegar 'bouncy egg' activity.

Cassie Green, the dean of students at Lincoln, told the board the school is also emphasizing early reading through an explicit phonics curriculum called UFLY, which the school uses as its core phonics instruction for kindergarten and first grade. "So I'm Cassie Green, and I'm our dean of students at Lincoln School of early learning this year," she said while explaining the program. Green said every K–1 classroom has a 30-minute phonics block and the district has supported teachers with professional development and peer observations so implementation is consistent. She invited kindergarten teachers to demonstrate classroom practice and said teachers will continue peer feedback to improve outcomes.

The board asked whether kindergarten use of the program was new; Green said kindergarten implementation is in its first year while first grade has used the curriculum for three years. Board members welcomed the demonstrations and described the classroom videos as "very creative" and an encouraging sign for early literacy progress.