Younger children
dig in sand and dirt, cultivate gardens, paint, and
take on a variety of roles in their dramatic play.
Older students, too, are actively engaged in learning
throughout the day. They ask questions, refine them,
and search for answers, often discovering that each "answer" leads
to more questions. As teachers observe children in
their work and play, they look for opportunities
to encourage language, social, motor, and intellectual
development. The goal is to promote greater competence
and intentional learning.
Philosophy
and Teaching Methods
Children’s strengths and interests
provide the foundation for active learning and
continuous progress.
All Broadoaks teachers
are committed to bringing the school’s philosophy
to life every day in every classroom. We believe
that all children can learn; all children want to
learn; and all children want to document their learning.
Children learn best
when they are actively engaged in meaningful learning
(i.e., learning that is FULL of meaning).
Children learn best
in an environment where they are expected to be responsible
for their work and their behavior and where each
person is responsible for transforming the classroom
into a Community of Learners. This aspect of the
philosophy is best reflected in the two school rules:
- Everyone is here to learn.
- Everyone is here to help everyone
else learn.
Children learn best
in an atmosphere of mutual respect and support, where
each person’s unique perspectives and contributions
are highly valued.
Children’s
existing strengths and interest provide the beginning
point for future learning. (This is a unique feature
of Broadoaks’ program, since most instructional
programs begin with what children do not know.)
High/Scope
Broadoaks uses
the internationally known and well researched High/Scope approach,
with its focus on active, hands-on learning and child
choice within a structured and supportive environment,
where children and teachers share responsibility
for initiating and evaluating learning experiences.
Broadoaks is viewed as a national leader in High/Scope
implementation at the preschool, primary, and upper
elementary levels.
Standards-Based
Curricula
In the elementary
grades, teachers use the California
State Curriculum Frameworks and new state
curriculum standards as guides for the instructional
program. Language arts, mathematics, science, social
studies, health, and physical education are taught
in developmentally appropriate ways, with little
whole-group, teacher-directed instruction at the
primary level. Instead, children investigate topics
of interest in great depth and practice emerging
skills in language arts (reading, writing, listening,
speaking), mathematics and other content areas within
the context of their investigations. Teachers carefully
monitor individual progress in each content area.
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