Staff development provides methods for teachers to ensure the success of heterogeneity. Major emphasis is placed on the Whole Language approach, individual learning styles, cooperative learning, and thematic units. Cooperative Learning Cooperative learning is a teaching strategy often used to enhance a specific classroom topic. In cooperative learning, students are placed in small groups where the group learning assumes central importance and students are responsible not only for their own learning but also for the learning of others. The strategy allows students to increase academic achievement while learning pro-social behaviors.
Cooperative groups vary in size, duration, and composition depending upon the goals of the lesson.
Several times this year we will offer cooperative learning classes for parents to create a better understanding of this strategy. The kindergarten curriculum is designed to provide daily opportunities to develop and integrate communication skills in meaningful ways. Reading, writing, speaking and listening are all inseparable in their language development. The kindergarten will immerse children in an environment rich in language and literacy by using experience charts, big books, poetry charts, predictable books, child-made books, and class books. Science Kindergartners bring many science experiences to school.