curriculum
building a strong foundation with core subjects
literacy
expanding knowledge
Reading
Engaging students in quality literature and exposing them to a variety of genres lie at the heart of our reading program. From thoughtfully chosen read alouds to thematically-integrated literature circles, our students deepen comprehension and inference skills while expanding their perspectives. Students advance their reading skills through Reader’s Workshops and our multi-sensory phonics-based program.
Literacy
strength of communication
Writing
Students are writing throughout their day at Lupine and during experiences in the field. The 6+1 Traits of Writing guides student mastery of the essential elements of writing. Units in narrative, informational and creative writing help students find their unique writing voice, implement powerful word choice, and develop proper grammar. Conventions are strengthened as our writers acquire a foundational understanding in phonemic awareness. Writing topics are often integrated with the thematic theme.
math
understanding numeracy
Math
Numbers, relationships and patterns help the students understand the world around them. Lupine students engage in mathematical thinking during projects and during our daily math lessons. Our K-5 students participate in the Stepping Stones program. Concepts progress from concrete models to pictorial representations and finally to abstract expressions. The middle school Lupine students engage in the Arbor Algebra series, designed for students of all abilities. Arbor Algebra integrates compelling narrative, inductive reasoning, and deep, imaginative problem solving while satisfying common core standards.
All of our classrooms designate specific time for math Number Talks, a student-centered strategy-sharing experience that broadens mathematical thinking and strengthens the eight standards of practice for students: persevere when solving problems, reason abstractly, construct arguments, model with mathematics, use appropriate tools, attend to precision, make use of structure, and apply strategies to other problems.
science
exploring our world
Science
Lupine’s science program is embedded into our thematic studies. Students explore life, earth and physical sciences using integrated inquiry. Our students are provided with opportunities to investigate a problem, search for possible solutions, make observations, ask questions, test out ideas, think creatively and use their intuition. Lupine teachers recognize the importance of presenting problems to students that will challenge their current conceptual understandings so they are forced to reconcile anomalous thinking and construct new understandings.
social studies
meaningful integration
Social Studies
Like our science program, social studies concepts relating to civics, economics, geography, and history are explored through our thematic units. At Lupine, students ask or are given compelling questions and then investigate those questions. They inspect primary sources, make inferences about the past, find and evaluate evidence and communicate their findings.