WE BELIEVE....

Education at UNIS is grounded in the belief that it is important to nurture the social, emotional, physical and intellectual development of each child. We recognize that children build or construct their understanding of the world around them by incorporating new information and experiences with what they already know. As students progress from year to year, they are given increased opportunities for independence, along with long range projects, and more complex problem-solving in order to foster critical thinking and learn to collaborate constructively with classmates.

• We believe that learning is most effective when we offer academic problems that challenge students to grapple with concepts that may require thinking from a variety of perspectives.
• We believe that curriculum must be relevant to each student. We seek to pose problems and structure classroom experiences that foster the creation of personal meaning and engagement.
• We view students as thinkers with emerging theories about the world rather than as recipients of knowledge from the teacher.
• We believe that students learn from one another and from the world around them rather than solely from the teacher.
• We believe that the process of learning is more important than the product or “right answer” alone.
• We believe that while children are all individuals with distinct personalities and personal circumstances, effective learning experiences take into account the developmental stages of the students.

Homework is designed to reinforce the lessons taught in class and help students develop responsibility and increasing levels of independence. Homework usually falls into one of three categories: practice, preparation, or extension. The purpose usually varies by grade. Individualized assignments that tap into students' existing skills or interests can be motivating. At the elementary school level, the primary purpose of homework is to help students develop study skills and habits and can keep families informed about their child's learning.

Students should be able to complete their homework with minimal adult support. Parents help by ensuring that a child has a quiet place to work and time to concentrate on the tasks assigned. Parents should review homework for completion. Minimal correction is fine, but it is important for a child's teacher to see the mistakes a child is making in order to differentiate instruction for that child, who may need further review or and alternate approach, If homework is taking more than a reasonable time, please send your child's teacher a note.

Nightly reading is essential. We ask all parents to encourage your child to read independently or for you to read with him or her daily.

In order to build independence and responsibility, students in Junior 3 and Junior 4 are given planners to record nightly homework. Teachers at all grade levels provide families with advance notice for tests and due dates for longer-term assignments. Taking responsibility for completing homework helps students build work habits and manage time.