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Rigor * Relevance * Relationships * Responsibility * Regeneration
2730 Foster Avenue, Arcata, California 95521* (707) 683-5708 *laureltree_lc@yahoo.com
Classroom and Curriculum
We strive to choose and create curriculum that is inclusive, diverse, and place-based.
Violet and Catherine each teach a classroom in the nature-based transitional kindergarten/kindergarten Forest School program here at Laurel Tree. The fully outdoor program integrates the Forest School model with seasonal outdoor learning. Integration of Common Core Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, Sustainability Standards, Preschool Early Learning Foundations, and Forest School pedagogy guide this inquiry-based curriculum.
Our belief is that the outdoors provides an excellent environment to develop the competencies and confidence of the whole child. The role of the teacher is to observe progress, guide and facilitate student learning. We provide provocations for learning and ensure the safety of all participants.
Forest School is an educational program for young children that takes place outside, in all weather, and in many natural ecosystems over an extended period of time. It allows children to learn about their world through observation, play, exploration, and inquiry. Teachers support learning with storytelling, songs, and experiential, hands-on activities that develop a child's social, physical, emotional, and academic skills.
Our mixed group Transitional Kinder and Kindergarten classes begin at 8:30 am and end at 12:45 pm. Before Care is available at 7:30 a.m. and Aftercare is provided until 5:30. Our site is “Strawberry Fields” at 899 Murray Road three days a week, and two days at one of our seasonal Nature Classrooms.
The 1st-3rd grade will spend their mornings engaging with the Center For Collaborative Classroom as an integrative language arts curriculum that includes reading, writing, and social skills, as well as a hands-on math curriculum. After lunch, students will participate in multi-age outdoor enrichment activities which include swimming, ArtSEL (art and social-emotional learning), science, and social studies. On Fridays, students will foster a deep nature connection by working with the Roots Grant at our Outdoor Education site on Murray Road.
Drop-in care is available in the mornings before school from 7 to 8 am., and aftercare is available for K-6 students until 5:30.
Josh, Ali, Maya, and Dena are team teaching the 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade classes this year. We are excited to be working collaboratively to offer an amazing program for the students. Monday through Thursday, students will be rotating through their academic classes in the morning. Math is taught by Maya, English and Social Studies will be taught by Dena, and Science will be taught by Josh. Ali will provide support and small group pullout.
For 4th and 5th graders the afternoons will offer hands-on experiential lessons in Edible Education, swimming, and Forest School. 6th grade will join the 7th and 8th graders for art, robotics, theater, and our new biking program.
Classes are from 8:30 to 3 at 2730 Foster Avenue on Monday-Thursday, and from 8:30 to 1 on Fridays. Before care is available starting at 7:30 a.m. and Aftercare is available until 5:30.
7th and 8th graders attend from 8:30 to 3 at 2730 Foster Avenue, Monday through Thursday, and 8;30 to 1 on Fridays. We are often at the Murray Road site on Friday's as part of our work with the Roots grant. We use College Preparatory Mathematics Curriculum (CPM) and our Wit and Wisdom English Curriculum. The eighth graders will be doing a production of Much Ado About Nothing. Afternoon classes will include PE, graders for art, robotics, theater, our new biking program. and Engineering.
This year's high school classes run from 8:30 to 3:30 Monday through Thursday at 2730 Foster and 8:30 to 1 on Friday. We are often at the Murray Road school site on Fridays as part of the Roots Grant. We use College Preparatory Mathematics (CPM) and offer lab curriculums in Biology and Anatomy this year. We use the CSU Expository Reading and Writing curriculum in English and a teacher-developed A-G History courses. This year we will do a production of MacBeth with our older high school students. Afternoon classes will include Permaculture, Robotics, Engineering, Gardening, Independent Study PE, and General Work Experience Education. Older students also have the opportunity to enroll concurrently at the College of the Redwoods.
