Earth Class Schedule & Goals

Handwriting 

Daily work involves writing words and letters, but students also have Handwriting Without Tears, a workbook offering focused practice creating legible writing.

Independent Reading

 Students have a chance each week to practice reading to themselves. They are encouraged to choose 1-2 books at their current reading level to keep in their totes for this independent learning. 

Nature Journaling

In January, the Earthworms started Nature Journaling, an observantion-based practice that incororpates the coordination of scientific observations of nature, learning to record data, and then asking questions of wonder.

Project-based Learning

Our first big project is the Northwest Animals Project! Students are learning so many new things - how to find information in a book, how to use a Table of Contents and Index, take notes, and compile information in an organized way.

Number Sense

Students have many opportunities to work on their math skills at their own pace.

Phonics

Beginning and end sounds, consonant blends, long and short vowel sounds, rhyming words... Each week each student is building on their understanding of letter sounds and cultivating a love of reading.

Read Alouds 

Once a week, students listen to a teacher read a story aloud. Students are encouraged to draw and write in their journals while they listen. This aids in making connections and  synthesizing what they have learned.

Friendships

All the Earth kids are exploring new friendships and growing existing ones. At this age, they are discovering more nuanced feelings and needs and learning how to express themselves so that we can all get along.

Teamwork

Students get lots of opportunities to work together. The teachers are their guide, ensuring the safety of all while making space for ideas to flourish and spread without adult assistance.

Self-Care

"We were sitting in the muddy water to clean the mud off... We almost got some water in our boots cuz we were touching our boots to the water." - These kids know how to stay warm and dry! They are learning to take care of their own bodies!

Consensus

We used to vote democratically for our adventure destination... Until we learned the idea of consensus! Now, each day, your children discuss and listen and negotiate so that everyone feels heard and all have a say in the day's outing.