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Show r ' 8A Sun Advocate Price, Utah Thursday October 10, 2002 hands-o- n Wellington Elementary practices The principal and teachers probably say instruction at Wellington Elementary is a kind of no fuss, no frills program. Every day they teach using the best methods they know, its just good, solid educa- f teaching .21 i . 1- tion. At Wellington, students experience high learning, primary grades have a balanced literacy program, students use technology and computers every day, teachers use school wide behavior management practices, some kindergarteners attend all day, and all students develop hands-o- n projects to show they learned the core curriculum. Nothing is ho-huabout this program. time-on-ta- sk t m ' ip i i ' S 5! ti liiiMitol -- irt 'T Committment to literacy Balanced literacy is the name of the teaching strategies primaiy grade teachers use at Wellington. This means that all students read independently and with instruction, write individually and in groups, learn new vocabulary in a three hour block every day, as well as many other activities. Students read a book at their instructional level each day with their parents as part of the guided reading portion of balanced literacy. Young students learn right away they can read when they see environmental print such as well known signs, logos, and posters from businesses from around the county. Students of all ages use the accelerated reading program to demonstrate their understanding of books for their grade level. Mrs. Carol Carlsons third graders use a KWL chart when they start new books. KWL is a strategy that requires students to discuss and list what they know about subjects and themes in the material, articulate questions, then record what they learned. Students are able to discover what they know and connect this knowledge to new knowledge. Were teaching them more than phonics and spelling. Were teaching them how to use learning strategies they can apply to other situations, explained Carlson. The six rait writing program and evaluation is a practice used at all grades. Mrs. Annie Sorenson, first grade teacher, says that she has seen kids who are behind their peers catch-u-p when they start writing everyday. They read their writing to others in peer revision and editing. They also publish their final drafts for all to enjoy. Students place all of their writing in portfolios to showcase their creativity in writing and art Students, teachers, and parents can observe increased control of written expression through portfolios. student displays his customized portfolio. As part of the schools curriculum, each student keeps a writing portfolio. The portfolio is a A Wellington Elementary The Projects, projects and more projects Creating a project is a powerful way to learn concepts, stated Karolyn LewandowskL Fourth grade students at Wellington just enjoyed their tin can cookout where they practiced concepts they learned in Utah history and the writing activity called the how to paper. Students planned, liked steps, did the project wrote about their activity, and incidentally created great memories. Other hands-o- n learning can be seen in leaf collections for science, Halloween projects created by Wellington and Castle Valley students after they read Follow My Leader, and dioramas from the field trip to Hogle Zoo to show their knowledge of ecosystems and continents. showcase of a student s creative writing, artwork and abilities. In 20 years, mores win love to read what each child said was then goals and career choice. BESTfor last hawior tystems or school wide method r handling student behavior, Tne program which used to be known BEST, allows ers to recognize prod behavior, agree on methods to deal with misbehavior, and teach stu- dents iprocedures to complete . Principal Kerry Jensen says the number of pink slips, for bad behavior has dropped .081tive u u teach-Cent- er dramatically.. Students and teachers feel the program works. A team is trained in developing procedures, interventions, and classroom contingencies. As they train the rest of the faculty, needs are prioritized. Vblk down the halls and enter the classrooms to observe these written procedures such as exiting the classroom. Next year, Wellington will have completel the training for becoming a model school. J K ts.-- v . 5 4 ? s & J Integrated technology Most of Wellingtons teachers received Intel training for integrating technology into all areas of their instruction. How does integrated technology look? Students are m out of the school lab or rotating alpha smarts to different classes. Some classes have sophisticated projection systems. Students practice math concepts on Internet interactive sites, third graders learn keyboarding on alpha smarts, kids create powerpoint portfolios, stories, brochures, and newsletters, and students write, edit, revise, and publudii in word processing programs. There is no cyberphobia in this school. GCF crj . h ''1 ,, jti.ji 21: iJj J! - . :y, Mrs. RaOsback, also known as tin math lady, reads with her students each day for 20 minutes during REA dasswork. . All day teaming for kindergarteners . jr' Wellington pioneered the aU day kindergarten practice in the district and its success is iparalleled. 'Students come to my first grade classes with improved reading readiness and ' commented Valene Houston. '"ja kindergarten teacher Brenna Peniy says that she can teach the entire kinderguten a as well as a lot of socialization. Pentv also explained that test scores are up because of the. program. .. ; If the school districts voted leeway passes, all day kindergarten will be offered at all the elementary schools. It is a great step toward boosting literacy achievement in schools with v students. ?; many ;. . - KJ. Erickson presents his powerpoint report about Erickson researched the origins soc- cer to his classmates. i of soccer, its history and highlights, then ha animated presentation and set if to music: 'his low-inco- . ) ' ' . I r . . A & !' w. . - I . 4th. ..t. PO OR ACO : |