Literacy

Independent work and student choice are crucial to literacy development. Students work together in small groups to read and discuss literature that fits their reading capabilities and interests. Word decoding strategies and reading comprehension skills are discussed and modeled during these small group meetings. Willowwind uses the Words Their Way spelling curriculum. As students gain more awareness of the writing process and word patterns, spelling expectations will evolve. Students spend time during Writers' Workshop brainstorming, partner sharing, listing, drafting, revising, editing, publishing, and reading. Students are individually challenged by academic projects and learn how to show grit by pursuing their personal best!

Mathematics

Willowwind uses Math in Focus, a Singapore-based approach, to teach math. This curriculum engages students with topics while allowing them to gain a deep understanding of math concepts. Math in Focus lessons interlock concepts and skills by teaching both "the why" and "the how". The curriculum draws on students' prior knowledge and recently acquired concepts to combine problem-solving strategies with critical thinking skills when teaching complex skills.

Featured Experience

Indian Creek Nature Center

Each year Willowwind’s first and second grade students have the opportunity to spend two days doing active, outdoor learning at nearby Indian Creek Nature Center. Students use what they learn to think about how they would design a nature center to protect an endangered plant or animal species in Iowa. This project gets students thinking deeply about the relationship between plants, animals, and humans in an ecosystem, what plants and animals need to survive and thrive in their habitat, and what community members can do to positively impact the natural world.

Science

Students learn about the weather and consider how it affects the environment. They measure, record, and observe weather patterns, analyze their findings, and use maps to compare weather patterns in different parts of the world. Students also raise butterflies and observe their life cycle while researching other life cycles. First and second graders study and draw conclusions about properties that affect motion as they build objects to balance, spin, and roll. They design carts with wheel and axle systems, which they use to experiment with rolling, magnetism, force, and gravity.

• Force and Motion

• Ecosystems/Biodiversity

• Landforms and Earth Changes

• Life Cycles/Traits & Sustainability

Social Studies

At the start of the year, first and second graders focus on building community and creating classroom rules that highlight students’ responsibilities while preserving their individual learning needs. In doing so, students learn about choice and what it means to be productive, respectful citizens. Students select a research topic based on interest and compare and contrast things from the past to the present and future. Students then use primary and secondary sources to prepare a Then and Now presentation. Students also experiment with reading and creating maps as they study their school community, home community, and downtown Iowa City. 

• Community & Culture

• History: Then & Now

• Global citizenship & Stewardship

READY TO VISIT?

We encourage families to stop by to investigate, explore, and discover why Willowwind students Love Every Day!