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Mission
Woodstock
Day School's program for the fifth and sixth grade provides
an academically challenging yet comfortable place where children
learn to take increasing responsibilities as they are given
greater freedom. Because we recognize multiple learning styles,
the children experience a wide variety of outlets for their
creative expression that promotes individuality. All classes
share the joy of developing lifelong learning and organizational
skills.
Grade
5 Overview
In fifth grade, students embark on an incredible
journey toward independence. This year proves to be magical
in the significant growth and development that occurs within
each child. They develop a sense of place in the world. By
working cooperatively in groups and developing many of the
skills necessary to be successful in the future, fifth graders
learn to become autonomous and responsible thinkers.
The classroom atmosphere abounds with colorful
decorations of original student works including magnificent
book projects, inspiring poetry collections, carefully crafted
current event summaries, thoughtful theme posters, challenging
geography box questions and detailed maps of all varieties.
Notice children practicing attentive listening, discussing
how to problem solve, caring for their own space, and treating
each other with kindness. Our classroom is a place where teachers
recognize student differences and celebrate individual strengths.
Here, everyone feels free to share their diverse thoughts
and feelings in a place where learning is nurtured and childhood
treasured.
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Humanities
GRADE 5 HUMANITIES
The
fifth grade year-long theme, A Sense of Where We Are, sets
the stage for a thematic, interdisciplinary exploration of
the Western Hemisphere. Essential skill lessons encompassing
reading, writing and computer literacy are woven into three
major units of study: Canada and the Arctic, cultures of South
America, and Mexico. Students are encouraged to explore various
methods of self-expression while fostering their creativity.
In the first half of the year, fifth
graders study Canada and the Arctic. They investigate traditional
Inuit life, as well as look at how Inuit people live today
and work to preserve their culture. Students use a combination
of textbooks, trade books, maps, Canadian newspapers, reference
books, and teacher-created materials as the basis of study,
as well as Canadian and Inuit folklore, music and dance to
enhance their learning and excitement. Another engaging project
is the correspondence between our class and a class of students
in Alaska. In fifth grade, students begin to be formally assessed
in Social Studies, through their participation in discussion,
written responses, quizzes, tests, and research projects.
In Language Arts, fifth graders investigate
why it is important to be able to express yourself clearly,
and what are the different modes of expression.
Reading books related to their year-long
theme, students learn how authors express themselves. Sample
titles include Julie of the Wolves and Far North.
They study the literary concepts of foreshadowing, simile,
metaphor and theme, as well as analyze the author's writing
style and purpose. As they read, they work to increase their
comprehension and understanding, as well as study the grammar,
syntax and mechanics that good writers use. They respond to
their reading with discussion, short answers, expository essays,
and projects. Small discussion groups build essential listening
and speaking skills.
In Writing Workshop, fifth graders
follow the writing process from pre-writing to publishing.
They learn to write descriptively and clearly, and practice
a variety of genres, from friendly letters to current events
reports, personal narratives to persuasive pieces. Basic spelling,
grammar, and vocabulary skills are developed through the children's
reading and writing, as well as reinforced through the use
of published programs such as Spellwell and Wordly Wise. Throughout
the year, students also choose books they want to read, and
create original, independent projects that are presented and
displayed in the classroom and the school library.
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GRADE 6
HUMANITIES
Our classroom is
a safe haven, a beehive of irrepressible curiosity and boundless
energy where children are testing the fascinating waters of
preteen and teenage life - a place that fosters curiosity
and the skills of a scholar and social being. Here, we practice
listening, resolve conflicts in small groups and in the larger
class group, engage in reading and writing, master the art
of organization, appreciate one another expressively, celebrate
ancient Eastern cultures, and begin and end each day together.
The sixth grade English
Language Arts and Social Studies academic program offers an
in-depth study of ancient civilizations in the Eastern Hemisphere:
Fertile Crescent, Egypt, India, China and Japan. Interwoven
in the historical studies are the world mythologies of these
cultures, as well as the emergence of the great religions
of our world today. Related literature accompanies each thematic
unit.
Stepping onto our
classrooms one might see: beautifully crafted independent
book response projects; a student reporting on a current event,
intent on a literature journal entry or on the computer researching
a social studies topic; the class sitting in a circle on the
blue rug, reading our World Mythology book, listening to a
guest speaker, or discussing a field trip to the Metropolitan
Museum; small groups working on a visual project to complement
the social studies unit, rehearsing for an assembly performance,
writing in the style of the haiku or sonnet, or reading aloud
a beat poem.
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Math
GRADES 5 AND 6
The curriculum is composed of three interwoven
components. The backbone of the math program is SRA Math from
Prentice Hall. This program provides a basic course outline
which covers all the requirements of New York State. We chose
the SRA program because it provides structure while also allowing
for flexibility in the classroom. This flexibility provides
the second component of our curriculum, allowing the teachers
the freedom to incorporate manipulatives, projects and games
in a way that best suits their teaching styles. The last component
of the SRA program involves fluency in basic mathematical
skills. All students achieve mastery of the basic operations
of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole
numbers, fractions and decimals.
In fifth grade, teachers supplement the
SRA Math program with teacher-created worksheets, fact quizzes,
projects and games. Some topics in the fifth grade year include:
- Number theory: factors, prime and composite
numbers, exponents, divisibility rules
- Geometry: angles, polygons, measurement
- Multiplication and division: mastery
of multiplication and division facts to 144, ability to
multiply and divide large numbers, creating and solving
multiplication and division number stories.
- Mathematical thinking: explaining
the processes and thought involved in solving problems,
through words, algorithms, and/or diagrams.
ADVANCED MATH
WDS is pleased to offer advanced math classes
for eligible students in the 5th through 8th grade. In addition,
lower school students occasionally attend math classes with
higher grades.
Three courses are offered: a 5th/6th and
a 7th/8th grade applied mathematics course, as well as Algebra
I for 7th and 8th graders. These courses are two-year programs
that loop, meaning that students may join the course in either
the A or the B year, depending on their grade level. The first
two courses offer units that are studied in depth, as skills
are developed, and which culminate in a meaningful, related
project. Problem-solving skills and techniques are practiced
daily. The courses use textbooks as well as supplementary
and teacher-created materials. Both courses cover the following
concepts at the appropriate levels:
Number sense, fractions, decimals, percents,
geometry, statistics, graphing (coordinate pairs, simple
equations,), probability, and pre-algebra.
In addition, students practice creating
and solving word problems, taking notes and being organized.
Some projects include: The Stock Market, Using a Checkbook
and Banking, Basketball Statistics, Graphing and Statistics,
and Volume of Pyramids and Prisms. The 5th/6th grade class
also participates in the International Math Olympiad, a competitive
program that focuses on intense work in complex word-problem
and logic problem solving.
The Algebra course concentrates on giving
students a solid foundation in Basic Algebra. Students join
the course in 7th grade, and take the New York State Algebra
A Regents exam at the end of eighth grade. This course allows
successful students to gain Advanced Placement status in both
private and public high schools.
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Science
The environment provided by the science
room and supported by the curriculum is designed to stimulate
students to be well-informed, reflective decision makers.
Students are encouraged to be involved in their local community
while being mindful of the increasing global consequences
of any action. Students engage in inquiry-based learning using
scientific language and tools, thereby strengthening skills
such as observation, record-keeping and working cooperatively.
Exploring their world students develop their sense of wonder
through varied teaching methods, manipulatives, and experiments.
Students are challenged to become problem solvers.
Some of the topics that are covered in fifth
grade science are:
- Stream
watch
- Use
of the microscope and small things
- Oceans
- Solar
Systems
- Plant
characteristics
- Biomes
of the world
Some of the topics that will be covered
in sixth grade science are:
- Electricity
- Properties of matter
- Energy and matter
- Scientific method and measurement
- Kingdoms of life
- Animal Kingdom
- Genetics
- Evolution theories
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Foreign
Language
GRADE 5 - SPANISH
Fifth grade students experience Spanish
on a weekly basis for 55 minutes. The Spanish program consists
of many games, songs and role-playing. It is meant to be a
fun and open learning environment. Students are encouraged
to choose the sequence of their learning based on their interest
in the topics presented.
The goals of the fifth grade Spanish program
are:
- To recognize a sound system that
is different than English
- To hear and respond to simple directions
in Spanish
- To produce oral language by imitating,
singing, rhyming, and responding with learned words and
phrases
- To exchange basic information and
interact with peers, using phrases and questions
In order to reach these goals, we
engage in the following activities:
- Singing, movement
- Counting, graphing, sorting, etc…
- Listening to stories
- Learning about cultural similarities
and differences
- Following directions
- Responding with simple words and
phrases
- Writing simple sentences, descriptions
and preferences
GRADE 6 - SPANISH OR FRENCH
Beginning in sixth grade, students get the
choice of taking Spanish or French.
Spanish
This course begins with Elementary Spanish and introduces
all the basic grammar concepts that will help the students
achieve a short conversation in Spanish. We will review
vocabulary acquired from previous basic coursework and practice
all of it in conversation. We will cover at least five major
units and will emphasize all four skills - reading, writing,
listening, and speaking. Proficiency is achieved through
extensive practice and immersion in Spanish culture.
French
This course introduces French conversation, phonics and
Francophone culture. The primary text we use is Allez, viens!
The text's title expresses "Let's go!" - and that's what
we will do in this course as we charge into real world situations
in French that can prepare students to travel abroad as
well as to enjoy Francophone culture. Some readings in English
may be assigned to help contextualize our language study,
but the focus will be on self-expression and on learning
how to read and write in French. In-class conversation,
presentations, and skits will be supplemented with poetry,
film, and music. The keys to success in this course are
participation and practice.
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Physical Education
Physical education at WDS is designed
to be fun, exciting, and engaging. In all classes an emphasis
is on total participation, working cooperatively together
and inspiring children to love movement and play. Children
will be fit if they stay active and play games and sports
of all varieties. Most importantly PE class is a time for
children to laugh and play and learn the joys of being part
of a team and working together.
Grades 5-6: At this age children
are ready for challenge of all kinds. Team-building games,
adventure-based activities; trust-building exercises and vigorous
games of all kinds are introduced, as well as traditional
sports.
Everyone's favorite activity is capture-the-flag,
the Adventure Game Theatre way. The Adventure Game Theatre
(AGT) game experience is ideally suited for fifth and sixth
grade students. WDS has a special relationship with AGT, with
each year culminating in a four-day end of the year program.
Much of the AGT philosophy is incorporated into the WDS PE
program. For more information on AGT visit www.agt.org.
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Art Program
Fifth and sixth grade students explore the
elements and principles of design in depth, and are presented
with an overview of all the different art media, including
drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture. Our strong
ceramics program gives students ample opportunities to study
and create, and to work with different glazing and firing
techniques. We sculpt both in the classroom and around the
campus, in a variety of media from soapstone to snow. They
also take inspiration from nature, and study the works of
such nature-based artists as Andy Goldsworthy, creating their
own masterpieces from leaves, twigs, stones, blossoms, ice
and vines. Students also experience printing, collage, bookmaking
and sewing.
Art history and theory are taught through
the use of a huge variety of books, prints, and internet sources.
Students study specific artists, styles, and periods, and
work to understand and create in those styles. Visiting artists
from the community are also invited for residencies to demonstrate
and teach in their media. Projects have included: self-portraits
inspired by Andy Warhol and his presentation of the portrait
through the use of repetition, color and design; pinch-pot
vessels as seen in ancient cultures of the Fertile Crescent;
and found-objects sculptures. Students practice in their sketchbooks,
and have focused on one-point perspective, color mixing, and
studies in space and line.
Students are evaluated by class critiques,
self-evaluation, and teacher evaluation of their approach
and attitude in art class, their work, cooperation and final
products.
The art program is enriched with field trips
to art museums both in the local area and in New York City.
There are also elective classes offered in art, taught by
faculty and guest artists, allowing those particularly passionate
about art to apply themselves more intensely.
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Music
GRADE 5 MUSIC
Fifth grade WDS Music students are introduced
to the elements of music. They are engaged in learning a vocabulary
with which to communicate. They learn rhythm and melody, and
a love of music is engendered through singing, structured
and unstructured movement activities, playing and improvising
on instruments, playing musical games and dancing. The program
is Kodaly and Orff-based, and children have many opportunities
to work with the Orff instruments and with other percussion
instruments. They enjoy performing at All-School Meetings,
and often spontaneously burst into song wherever they are.
In addition to music class, Chorus is offered as a choice
for second grade and up. Students acquire a repertoire of
songs, rounds, and simple two- and three-part music. They
practice their singing and ensemble skills, and perform at
school meetings and community events.
GRADE 6 MUSIC
The music program in the sixth grade and
above at Woodstock Day School is quite unique. Instead of
having one music teacher who works with all of the students
in a grade together, the students are encouraged to make choices
based on their own passions and interests. The students are
offered three choices of professional musicians who they can
work with during their school day. Each student has an opportunity
to sign up for one of the following music classes, per trimester.
Students can either take one of these classes for the full
year, or switch between them, from trimester to trimester.
Traditional Rhythms of Guinea: Mimo Camara
As lead dancer, drummer, and performer with Les Ballets Africains
de la Republique de Guinee, Mimo traveled the world with this
national company for 17 years before coming to American in
1995. Since his arrival, he has taught classes and workshops
in schools and universities throughout the Northeast, created
a performing company comprised of Africans and Americans,
and been an integral part of the WDS summer and Arts in Education
program and since 1999.
The word for song in Susu, Mimo's native
language, is synonymous with the words for drum, rhythm, dance,
and a song as we think of it in this culture. Students in
this course will learn traditional interwoven rhythms of this
West African country on the doundouns (bass drums) and djembes
(hand drums) as well as learning words to songs that are typically
sung to these rhythms. If there is student interest, dance
steps to these particular rhythms will also be taught.
Singing, Songwriting, and Critical Listening:
Bar Scott
Bar Scott has been writing, recording, and performing her
songs for nearly 20 years. She has released 5 CDs of original
music on her own label, Lucy Max Productions.
Bar will lead sessions for students who
are interested in exploring their voices, their improvisational
and song writing skills, and their critical listening habits.
As a group, we will collaborate on our own songs by creating
melody, lyrics, and rhythm. No singing experience is necessary.
All that's needed is focus and a love for music and singing.
Guitar and Instrumental Ensemble: Peter
Dougan
Peter is a local guitar player and band member. He and his
band perform at many local venues and he brings his personal
talents and passion for music to the classroom.
Guitar Lessons. Open
to all students with an interest in learning basic guitar,
students will gain knowledge and experience with the technique
of tuning, playing basic chords, scales, and songs on the
guitar, as well as be able to read basic standard musical
notation, guitar tablature, and chord diagrams.
Instrumental Ensemble. Open
to all students with at least one year of formal study on
an instrument. Students will gain knowledge and experience
of how to play an instrument in a group setting and grow
musically through rehearsal and performances. Material will
be approached in several different ways: written music,
learning by rote, and improvisation. Students are required
to provide their instrument and a method book (to be specified).
Supplemental exercises and music will be supplied by the
instructor.
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Library
The major focus of the WDS library
program in all levels is to get and keep children excited
about books and reading. This aim is met primarily by reading
stories out loud from grades preschool through grade 8.
Grade 5
Fifth grade has scheduled library time once a week for an
hour. Class is read aloud to, reading stories that often take
several weeks to finish. Fifth graders work year-long on library
skills, spending extensive time learning the Dewey Decimal
system, how the card catalog works and learning how to use
various reference materials. Fifth grade work culminates in
a classroom research project in the spring where the students
are called upon to use the skills they have been honing.
Grade 6
Sixth grade meets for library once a week for 45 minutes.
In addition to reading aloud and reinforcing fifth grade library
work, the sixth grade uses their library skills to conduct
research for other classes.
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Elective Program
The elective program for grades 5-12 affords
many unique opportunities for our students. First of all,
students are in multi-aged groupings, which allow them to
work and learn with students they normally don't see much.
The teachers choose topics that interest them so the students
get to learn from someone who is passionate about their topic.
Elective choices are often sports or nature related, or may
include art and music, movement and dance, or crafts. One
member of our support staff is our Community Service Coordinator
and offers a Community Service elective each trimester. All
students must take this elective at least one trimester during
the year. This elective alternates visits to animal sanctuaries,
nursing homes, soup kitchens, and work on our adopt-a-highway
section, with on-campus work such as beautifying our grounds,
painting, putting up shelving, and doing recycling. The elective
program is a break in the week from more academic pursuits,
but is in no way a break from learning. Students practice
skills, interpersonal sharing, exercise, and socialize in
multi-age groups and get to see their teachers in a less formal
setting.
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Life Skills
The WDS 5-6 Life Skills program is based
on an award winning prevention program.
The Life Skills program consists of three
major components that cover the critical domains found to
promote drug use. Research has shown that students who develop
skills in these three domains are far less likely to engage
in a wide range of high-risk behaviors. The three components
include:
- Drug Resistance Skills
enable young people to recognize and challenge common misconceptions
about tobacco, alcohol and other drug use. Through coaching
and practice, they learn information and practical ATOD
(Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug use) resistance skills
for dealing with peers and media pressure to engage in ATOD
use.
- Personal Self-Management Skills
teach students how to examine their self-image and its effects
on behavior; set goals and keep track of personal progress;
identify everyday decisions and how they may be influenced
by others; analyze problem situations, and consider the
consequences of each alternative solution before making
decisions; reduce stress and anxiety, and look at personal
challenges in a positive light.
- General Social Skills teach
students the necessary skills to overcome shyness, communicate
effectively and avoid misunderstandings, initiate and carry
out conversations, handle social requests, utilize both
verbal and nonverbal assertiveness skills to make or refuse
requests, and recognize that they have choices other than
aggression or passivity when faced with tough situations.
The other aspects of the program include
such topics as basic health, nutrition, and hygiene, as well
as age appropriate physical development education. The Life
skills teacher also addresses issues as they arise in class.
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