Primary Grades
first and second grades
The primary grades are a time for students to build upon foundational skills while preparing for the rigorous project-based learning curriculum in the upper elementary grades. Students expand upon what it means to be a learner at Willowwind and explore their role and purpose within their communities. They work on developing independence, self-regulation, and a growth mindset as they approach new ideas and are challenged by bigger questions. These themes continue throughout their time here at Willowwind with increased and matured purpose.
Willowwind’s focus on project-based learning allows students to deeply explore topics and engage in authentic dialogue about the world around them. A two year curriculum cycle allows students to continue working on new projects and learning new material while benefiting from the same classroom setting. Projects link to a curricular theme often spanning several months and may include "Then & Now" history presentations, ecosystem and biodiversity design, and cultural and community studies.
students in first and second grades…
- Blossom into readers and writers
- Explore foundational mathematical concepts
- Build executive functioning and project management skills
- Ask big questions
- Engage in multi-age play and learning opportunities
Upper Grades
third through sixth grades
The upper elementary grades are a time for students to embrace their role as leaders within our learning community and develop a sense of identity and purpose for themselves as learners and global citizens. Willowwind’s focus on project-based learning allows students to deeply explore topics and engage in authentic dialogue about the world around them. A two-year curriculum cycle allows students to approach new material and projects while benefiting from a multi-age environment and further strengthening the relationship with their teacher.
3/4 Burrowing owl class
Third and fourth grade is a time of enormous growth when it comes to executive functioning as students develop increased independence over these years. By the end of their fourth grade year, students are expected to know how to utilize the classroom materials and the resources they have for completing their independent research projects.
5/6 Red fox class
Willowwind’s fifth and sixth grade program engages students in the study of the natural and social sciences through an intensive project-based learning curriculum. Students are expected to work more independently and are provided opportunities to develop their responsibility, independence, initiative, reliability, and intrinsic motivation.
STudents in the upper elementary grades…
- Develop a unique sense of identity and purpose
- Engage with relevant social justice topics
- Apply 21st century skills to successfully manage the rigor of project based learning
- Participate in literary discussions to analyze and deepen understanding of a variety of texts
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving to approach core mathematical concepts
- Act as leaders and positive role models
- Establish and foster connections with the greater community younger learners
- Explore their social and intellectual impact on the world around them