Students at Project Learn take classes in reading, mathematics, science social studies, art, music, and physical education. The curriculum is integrated as much as possible, so it may be difficult sometimes to discern where one subject ends and another begins. Subject matter throughout the curriculum is brought to life with hands-on activities, demonstrations, field trips, and the arts. Interviewing, researching, organizing and study skills are worked on from the lower grades on up. Computers in each classroom are used for curricular enrichment, publishing student work, and free time.

Language Arts

The skills of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking critically are fundamental to elementary and middle school students. Project Learn has adopted a "whole language" approach to reading - one that immerses students in literature and teaches them language in the context of real-life activities. While younger groups use a combination of basal readers, literature, and language experience in the classroom, older students read a variety of fiction and non-fiction books of their choice and their teacher's choice. All groups have writer's workshop time. During this time, students practice writing in a variety of styles, and have the opportunity to take their work to final publishing quality. Mini-lessons on grammar and spelling are developed directly from problem areas identified in writing assignments. In addition, students in the equivalent of third grade and above can choose electives such as Newspaper, Poetry, Shakespeare.

Mathematics

The goal of the mathematics program is to instill competence in basic math skills, while demonstrating the many uses of math in the world and developing the student's ability to problem-solve. Our curriculum meets the standards set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and offers students the opportunity to complete Algebra I by the end of the eighth grade. Teachers make concepts concrete and reinforce them through the use of manipulatives, games, computers, thematic projects, and other activities. As with our "whole language" approach to the Language Arts, we believe that in the study of Mathematics, students should talk about mathematical problems, use manipulatives, make observations, and discover patterns before putting pencil to paper.

Art

Creative and artistic learning experiences are strongly valued at Project Learn. Through the process of art, students learn a means of expression as important as language and develop confidence in their ability to create. While art is integrated with other subject matter, it is also a separate area of study for all students. We provide the younger students with a nurturing and stimulating environment that stresses exploration and process. In the middle years, as students shift their focus from process to product, they are given the opportunity to choose from a number of electives including line drawing and painting, abstract art, watercolor, video, silkscreening, ceramics, photography, weaving, and jewelry making. Some Group Skills Days are also devoted to art projects, as the entire school collaborates on a project.

Physical Education

For younger groups, the physical education program takes a developmental approach, incorporating lessons on basic physical skills, movement, dance, and gymnastics. From about the fifth grade level on, students have physical education class one afternoon each week, during which they work on both individual and team skills. Activities that have been offered include soccer, basketball, water polo, swimming, volleyball, hiking, touch football, rollerblading, softball, track and field, and dance. Classes use the indoor and outdoor space at the school, as well as neighborhood playgrounds and facilities.

Science

...coming...

Social Studies

Rather than setting aside a specific time each day for "Social Studies", we interweave the study of World Cultures, Geography, Community Living Skills, and History throughout our school program. For example, a group might study Egypt or the Holocaust as themes that develop specific research skills. Older children might study the geography and political history of the Southwest as they read a novel in English class. Map skills are taught along with meteorology as classes track the paths of hurricanes. Songs from another country or a cooking lesson naturally lead into discussions of culture and customs. Additionally, many of our Group Skills Days have specific Social Studies themes, including First Amendment and Freedom of Speech, Women Heroes, and Japan Week. Junior High students may also choose electives in various Social Studies topics such as Castles, American History and From Treasure to Topography.