Academics

Reading & Language Arts

“The Wood Acres School believes a strong reading foundation is the key to a child’s academic success.”

Read to me! It is an everyday occurrence in the Wood Acres Early Childhood academic programs. With an overall goal of creating competent readers who love to read, The Wood Acres School begins a formal pre-reading program early in the Three Year Old program. Children who have rich language experiences and are familiar with many words through listening and speaking are well prepared for later print mastery. The Happily Ever After early reading program takes our four year old students through familiar classic children’s stories and guides them through early reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities that form the basis for grade level comprehensive language arts programs.

With an outstanding early childhood reading foundation established, students are ready to meet the unique characters in Pleasant Rowland Foundation's one-of-a-kind Primary School reading program. Through its superior method of phonics instruction, engaging stories, and research-based skill development, primary grade students soar in both reading mastery and a love of literature.

The Macmillan/McGraw Hill comprehensive series Reading allows teachers in grades 2 through 5 to partner in the journey to “learn to read and read to learn.” Explicit and systematic instruction in phonics, comprehension, vocabulary, English, writing and other language arts skills are presented through excellent selections of literature, supplemental reading, novel studies, and additional academic programs such as Vocabu-Lit. Application of these academic skills completes the cycle of learning to read through engaging projects, journals, creative writing, poetry, classic literature and the pride of saying to his/her parents, “Now I can read to you!”

Reading, writing, listening and speaking are encompassed for students in The Upper School as they link the skills of language arts to application of these skills in other academic areas. Instruction in the areas of language arts occurs both within each academic area as well as via cross-disciplinary programming to facilitate analysis, synthesis and evaluation of literature. Enriching the basal reading series are novel studies in various reading genres and the introduction of the Junior Great Books program. The Junior Great Books assist students in developing essential literacy skills including reading carefully, thinking critically, listening intently and speaking and writing persuasively.
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Foreign Language

Students at The Wood Acres School begin the study of the Spanish language and culture in the Three Year Old Program. With this early start, a formal sequential curriculum, and a proficient faculty, they have a chance to achieve academic success and that which eludes most language students—proficiency. Language instruction increases and continues through eighth grade.

Children are introduced to vocabulary and basic grammar to communicate about their school, home, clothes, and food. They also learn about Hispanic traditions, culture, and geography and learn how to appreciate the diversity of an ancient yet modern culture.

Beginning in third grade, the formal curriculum, Pasacalle, is introduced so that students continue to practice their conversational skills while also working on their Spanish grammar. Instructional methodology includes TPR, total pupil response, which encourages students to become comfortable in speaking, listening, writing and reading Spanish.
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Science

Children are natural explorers of their environment. From early childhood programs through the Upper School. The Wood Acres School's science programs engage young minds with tactile lessons about their world. A hands-on, experiment based science curriculum is centered on grade appropriate units of study that include physical science, life science, earth science, and the human body.

With quality laboratory based instructional materials, such as Scott Foresman’s Science, students continually explore, observe, and heighten their awareness of the world around them. The teachers at The Wood Acres School encourage critical thinking across the curriculum by linking both science and social studies to the concepts learned in reading and mathematics.

The Wood Acres School’s groundbreaking science curriculum for K - Upper School was developed through research and collaboration among experts at Penn State University, Hershey Medical School and LabLearner. Taught through integrated CELLS (Core Experience Learning LabS), the curriculum modules provide in-depth study of concepts and an experimental approach to learning. The science-math connection is strong throughout the program and provides students with the tools to become independent researchers with problem-based projects.
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Mathematics

Students at The Wood Acres School learn by doing. Number sense is introduced early and enhanced as the child grows. Hands-on mathematics programs such as Math Their Way and other teacher generated projects well prepare students for the work to come in The Grammer School and The Upper School.

Students in The Grammer School continue use of manipulatives in their math program and also include the introduction of formal math texts and workbooks, such as the Sadlier Oxford's Progress in Mathematics series. Mastery of basic operations is blended with graphing, estimation, measurement, and classification.

Students in The Upper School continue to hone computational skills on a more advanced level in place value, operations, number theory, fractions, fractional operations and decimals. Add into this math mosaic a strong emphasis on probability, statistics, geometry, measurement, ratios, percents plus problem solving and you have a foundation upon which algebraic expressions, equations and operations can be introduced and expanded. Competency in basic math operations is never forgotten as each student’s future success in math is very dependent upon skill and confidence in these operations.
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History, Geography & Culture

More commonly referred to as Social Studies, Wood Acres considers each component of history and geography important enough for academic consideration on it own merits. Social Studies begins in our Early Childhood programs with an experiential curriculum and continues through eighth grade with advanced units of study based on Pearson Core Knowledge Geography & History. Based on the National Geography Standards established by The National Council for Geographic Education, student knowledge of where we are in time and space is a vital life skill in an ever-shrinking global community. Further learning is focused on history, economics, culture, ethics and belief systems as well as social and political systems. Each area of study is enhanced with study skills, visual learning, and map and globe work. Students interweave the study of history, geography, and citizenship through lectures, research, projects, and discussions. Enhancing the curriculum are ancillary materials such as Time for Kids magazines for current events, field trips, and community service projects. As students study the past and understand the present, they embrace the future.
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Art

Every child is an artist and harnessing this natural creativity is the goal of The Wood Acres School Fine Arts program. Designed to promote and develop creativity and artistic literacy, the visual arts help students appreciate their own abilities as well as those around them. A combination of teacher-directed activities and child-initiated projects enable 4 year old students through eighth graders to experiment with drawing, painting, mixed media and sculpture. These experiences promote feelings of competency, encourage independence, and hone problem solving skills. An annual student art show as well as a school office art gallery feature the wonderful creativity of our students.
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Music

Children love music! Developing each child’s music potential to the fullest is a focus at The Wood Acres School. Early Childhood students enjoy the MusikGarten curriculum to introduce songs, instruments, movement, activities and stories which form a foundation for future musical endeavors.

Students in The Grammer School and The Upper School learn how to read and write simple songs, create melodies, harmony and timbre through singing, games and composition. Students explore string instruments and even make their own dulcimers. Cultural field trips enhance their fine arts studies and culminate in a fully staged musical production by The Wood Acres School fourth and fifth graders. Fifth and sixth graders "strike up the band" with formal instruction in brass instruments as well.
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Computer Technology

One visit to The Wood Acres School's outstanding computer lab will demonstrate the school’s commitment to responsible, skill-based, and creative use of state of the art computer technology. Staffed with a Technology Specialist and assistant, computer classes are taught to all Kindergarten through Eighth Grade students on a weekly basis. The lab is also available for individual class project work and research. Skill development in keyboard and word processing leads to more advanced use of programs such as PowerPoint, Excel and Publisher. With adult guidance, students use the Internet for research, armchair travel and data collection. Teaching and learning are enhanced with this powerful teaching tool.
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Physical Education

Physical Education should help children develop personal skills and values that allow them to participate in and derive enjoyment from physical activity. The Wood Acres School integrates ideas from a wide range of sources including physical fitness, sports, dance, individual and group games. Teamwork, fair play and doing one’s best are always emphasized. The program’s goal is to present a balanced child-centered curriculum that will allow all children to feel successful and to encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle.
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