A Community of Learners
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At
Centerpoint, we foster a child-centered learning environment - where
children’s ideas, interests and abilities help determine the
curriculum. Activities are geared
towards the children’s physical, social, and emotional levels rather than
on what a textbook publisher says children in that grade should learn. Our teachers serve as instructors,
facilitators and guides.
Centerpoint is a supportive community that allows us
all to be teachers and learners.
Class meetings, K-5 family groups, and celebrations are just a few of
the ways we maintain this community.
Take a look inside to learn more about our philosophy and curriculum.
Assessment is an integral component of the teaching/learning
process. We monitor each
child’s progress over time through tests, projects, surveys,
self-assessments and teacher observation.
Parents, children and their teachers have conferences in the
fall and the spring to set goals and assess progress. The children present their work during portfolio nights in
January and May. Outcome-based
progress reports are also sent home three times a year.
Parents are an integral and essential part of our
school. We believe that when
parents share their time and talents, they enrich and enhance the educational
process.
Parents commit to volunteering 40 hours per year per
family, either at home or at school.
A variety of flexible volunteer opportunities are available from leading
a family group to publishing student books.
Centerpoint Philosophy and Curriculum
At
Centerpoint, we believe that each child is unique. We work together to meet a variety of teaching and learning
styles and give children the opportunity to develop their physical, mental and
emotional potential.
Curriculum
Centerpoint's curriculum is dynamic and
research-based. Much of our
curriculum is developed thematically by staff around program outcomes and
student interests.
A Multi-age class is a community of learners of different
ages and abilities.
Centerpoint’s current grade structure is K, 1, 2/3, 4/5.
Combining grade levels has many benefits. Teachers know their children better so
they spend less time assessing and more time teaching. Children and their families are
familiar with the teachers so they are more comfortable and spend less time
learning routines.
The wider range of ages and abilities in multi-age classrooms
encourages children to develop social skills and to focus on their own growth
rather than compete against each other.
Centerpoint is a whole language school. We believe
that learning is easiest when it is from whole to part, when it is in authentic
contexts, and when it is functional for learners. At Centerpoint, you’ll find students reading and
writing for real reasons. Examples
of whole language in classrooms include:
Reader's
Workshop
Writer's
Workshop
· Sharing of Learning
In our classrooms, children become proficient readers
and writers by reading and writing every day. They use language to accomplish real tasks, such as planning
and building a prairie, writing and performing a play, or researching and
sharing topics that interest them.
Thematic units are designed to integrate all areas of
learning into an overall area of study.
Examples include units on water and waterways, the prairie, space,
performing arts, architecture, social justice and cultures.
Centerpoint uses Investigations as a base for its math
curriculum. Investigations was
developed using best practice research and National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics standards, with support from a National Science Foundation
grant.
Centerpoint offers parent-led art classes on a regular
basis. Students use a variety of
concepts, tools and techniques to express their art in meaningful ways. An annual spring art show culminates
the year’s art activities.
One of the things my kids
like most about Centerpoint is the opportunity to interact with peers of
different ages. The teachers are
supportive and challenge the kids to be creative and to stretch their imagination.”
~
Davis Shryer, Centerpoint parent
“Centerpoint is a
fun school! I love my teachers and
especially like family group and book club!”
~ Stephanie,
Centerpoint student
For more
information and to schedule a tour of the school, contact Gayle Chapman at:
Centerpoint
Elementary School
White Bear Lake School District
624
2530 Spruce Place
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
651-653-2852
glchap@wbl.whitebear.k12.mn.us