The Laureate Elementary Program, K-5
Overview
The Laureate School is committed to meeting students’ unique learning needs within a combination of whole-class and differentiated, flexible groupings, recognizing that motivated and successful learning occurs most effectively when presented at students’ learning levels. In this way, The Laureate program meets the widely varied needs of elementary-aged students, from gifted to those with learning differences.
Project-based learning within each classroom ensures that explicit learning is applied within integrated, meaningful activities that allow students to pursue individual learning interests while acquiring the key 21st century competencies of advanced knowledge, collaboration, and methodology.
Reading and Language Arts
The elementary reading program is based on a differentiated approach. Teachers guide students to increased levels of skill and fluency using interesting, leveled books that allow teachers to target student reading levels while promoting a love of reading. Well-stocked classroom libraries that reflect the full range of class levels and interests are an integral component of the program. Students meet within flexible groups that are responsive to unique learning needs and pace. Book talks, literacy circles, projects, and other activities are incorporated to develop a keen ability to inference, predict, summarize, compare and contrast; the critical thinking skills essential for high-level analysis and reading comprehension. Formal and informal assessment guides student progress. The Accelerated Reader (AR) online assessment component is also included to aid in appropriate book-level selection and to develop and assess recall of explicit facts, detail, and events.
Two full-time teachers in kindergarten and a learning support teacher for grades 1 through 3 provide the support for the increased need of differentiation during these early-reading years when learning levels and needs vary greatly.
Writing and Language Arts
A cohesive writing continuum from K through grade 5 combines both creative and expressive writing along with expository writing. Concurrently, as students create and express unique ideas, they are written in a framework that results in organized, well-constructed writings. Students write “across the curriculum,” expositing reasoning in Science and explaining processes used in Math. Writings are also incorporated within project-based learning. The Educational Records Bureau (ERB)’s writing rubric for grades 3 through 8 provides a consistent assessment standard for both student and teacher.
Standards-based spelling, grammar, and usage curricula include an important emphasis on applications within the writing process, which is also followed within integrated project-based learning applications.
Additionally, Greek and Latin roots are taught in grades 3 through 5.
Mathematics
Everyday Mathematics, a hands-on and inquiry-based approach developed by the University of Chicago, is used in grades K through 5 to ensure students’ thorough understanding of mathematical concepts. Differentiated groupings are incorporated within the classroom program. Online components help students develop fluency while informing and guiding individual progress. Concept-based learning and fluency together ensure success in Algebra and beyond.
Diffferentiation is included within the Everyday Math program, and facilitated with the two full-time teachers in kindergarten and the learning support teacher in grades K through 3.
Social Studies/History
A standards-based curriculum develops strong critical thinking and analysis skills that allow students to apply broad principles and concepts learned from the past across timelines and to situations in the present. History “comes alive” within integrated projects that expand grade-level curriculum through applications that are highly relevant for each class. Overnight history-linked class trips begin in 3rd grade with an overnight, with additional nights added in 4th and 5th grades.
Science
Following state and nation standards, students hypothesize, test, and formulate scientific theory within hands-on, inquiry-based lessons and projects. Students participate in The Laureate’s school-wide Science Fair with an integrated project that applies scientific learning along with reading, writing, mathematics, and other subjects for applied, project-based learning.
Life Lab
Life Lab is a living-science program. The Life Lab teacher uses the school's gardens for classroom-linked learning that gives relevance to science through real-life application. Consistent with the Life Lab Science program formally established and used in schools nationwide since 1979, the Laureate emphasizes the integration of grade level curriculum for applied learning as well as a strong focus on sustainable and environmentally aware practices. Involvement in Farmers' Market incorporates community-based learning and financial literacy components.
Spanish and Mandarin
A Laureate education prepares students for an increasingly global future. Emphasis is on both spoken and written language, and grade level content is incorporated to extend the focus of immersion learning. Multi-sensory learning, crafts, and other activities in K and 1 engage young learners. Students begin to learn formal language in grade 2.
All students in grades K through 5 learn the most important foreign language in the Americas, Spanish. In order to equip students for full participation in an international economy, Mandarin is also included within the curriculum at each grade level.
Art and Music
A full art and music program ensures education of the “whole child.” Art and music curricula both include specialist and class-integrated curricula that incorporates process and appreciation.
The schoolwide Etudes program fosters an appreciation of music.
Additionally, Chorus is offered in the afterschool Enrichment Academy, with a choral performance at the end of the session.
Dramatic Production
Teachers use dramatic presentations ranging from skits to full-production plays to enhance classroom curricula. Two school-wide choreographed choral productions, one for the winter holidays and one for the end-of-the-year, are presented each year.
Additionally, Drama is offered in the afterschool Enrichment Academy, with a production performance at the end of the session.
Physical Education, and Health and Nutrition
A full elementary PE program incorporates sports, games, sportsmanship, finess, and health and nutrition in grades K through 4 (grade 5 combines with grade 6 for team sports). Health and nutrition is also included within class curricula to reinforce a school-wide focus on healthy eating.
Character Education
The Laureate School's Character Education Program is based on the three pillars of Stewardship, Citizenship, and Leadership. Traits from each pillar are focused upon in turn each month throughout the school community. Middle school students organize and lead the K through 8 monthly Character Assembly and present Character Awards to those students chosen by their teachers for special recognition.
