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Educational Programs The students at Woodland have abundant opportunities to explore new ideas, demonstrate their talents, and improve their weaknesses. Through the efforts of our talented staff and generous volunteers, there is always something special going on at school. Art
A multi-media visual arts program is taught to students in Grades K-5. Kindergarten classes meet as enrichment, and Grades 1-5 meet once every three days. Students are exposed to media such as two- and three-dimensional design, drawing, painting, and clay. An interdisciplinary approach to the visual arts is used, which emphasizes art history, group projects, and individual creativity. Computers/Technology The Woodland Computer Lab is furnished with iMac computers. Classes use the lab to participate in a wide variety of activities, which include: Instruction in keyboarding Students in Grades K-5 have regularly scheduled visits to the Library Media Center, although they are welcome to check out books on any school day. Students learn how to access, process, and communicate information, appreciate various types of literature, and develop the skills needed to become life-long readers and library users. Minnesota Young Readers Award (MYRA) All students in Grades 3-5 are invited to read at least three books from a list of 12 to 18 nominated titles. Those who are eligible vote for their favorite in April. Woodland's votes are tallied with those of students in Grades 3-8 from all over Minnesota, and the winner is announced on April 25th. The award was established in honor of Minnesota author Maud Hart Lovelace. Music Students in Grades 1-5 are taught music once every three days for 50 minutes. Instructional concepts and skills include: note reading and theory; xylophone performance; music history and composers; proper singing techniques and pitch; rhythm; melody and harmony; song games; music appreciation; and the study of musical styles. Woodland families may attend grade level concerts, which are performed one time a year. Students also have an opportunity to perform during music class. They may volunteer to sing, dance, or play the piano. To assist in the process of selecting an instrument for Fifth Grade Band, Fourth Grade students learn about band instruments. Fourth Graders also purchase a recorder, a flute-like instrument, to strengthen their note reading skills. Physical Education All K-5 students have Physical Education (PE) classes. Kindergarten through Fifth Grade class has PE once every three days. The goal of PE is to encourage successful lifetime recreation and fitness as well as stimulate academic success. PE emphasizes social skills (cooperation/participation) as well as physical skills. Skill tests are administered to help identify students with special needs, acknowledge students' talents, and check for improvement. Fitness tests are introduced in Grade One and repeated in Grades Two through Five. These tests are done twice a year to monitor students' levels of fitness and check for improvement. Students are also involved is the SMART program (Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training). These activities are designed to help students achieve academically through core physical, visual and auditory activities that are done daily. |
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