At Long-View, we recognize that the information learners explore in various content areas is not the end, but rather a means to an end. The content explored, then, serves primarily as a way of refining or honing important learning skills. Thus, our goal is to ensure that learners are able to access content at the highest possible levels by allowing them to have experiences that are as authentic as possible to the various disciplines. For example, wanting our learners to grow as writers, our learners immerse themselves in a specific genre, thoroughly examine the approaches of professional writers, and are provided the space and guidance to apply these approaches in their own writing. Long-View learners write, receive feedback on their writing, and iterate their works; they simply write, in many of the ways that professionals do, in order to become better writers. And in facilitating these authentic experiences, learners continue to refine the skills of critical analysis, communication, & collaboration, as well as the ability to devise new ideas or design novel works based on understandings they have acquired….
Read MoreVisitors in our Long-View math classes often inquire about the ages of the children, because it is surprising to see such young children engaged in high-level content. How is it that an 8-year-old can do that?
The answer begins with letting go of developmental constraints previously imposed on young learners. Because our classrooms are multi-age and our instructional planning does not start from an assumption that children can only do as much as a generic textbook says their grade level can accomplish, we move much further and much deeper, traversing some very interesting mathematical terrain…
Read MoreWe have had a wonderful start to the year in literacy and are excited by what our readers and writers will accomplish this year. Our literacy block consists of reading and writing, and we use a workshop format to teach both. We stand on the shoulders of the great work of Teachers College Reading and Writing Project out of Columbia University to inspire us and inform our practices. This organization has an amazing research base and a strong focus on helping kids do the work of real readers and real writers…
Read More