Division III

Welcome to Division III! 

“We’re all born under the same sky, but we don’t all have the same horizon”

Konrad Adenhauer 1876- 1967

DIII is a community of teachers and children. This division is comprised of children who are 7 to 9 years of age. They have unique learning styles and interests. We are excited about the journey ahead of us all, as we work together to discover new horizons.

This is a process -oriented class with a focus on projects. With many of the lessons, children are given choices with similar educational objectives. Their day is divided between individual and cooperative assignments. Our environment encourages children to identify their own “inner knowing” which in turn facilitates greater self awareness of the ways in which they learn and operate at their best.

Children are taught that learning can be fun, messy and exciting and sometimes frustrating. Mistakes are normal and are a part of the process. Children learn to value completing tasks whilst recognizing that quality is also important. There is wisdom in returning to and “fine-tuning” a product, with the help of peers and teachers. THINKING and RESPONSIBILITY are operative words for us all.

Language Arts

“You are everything you choose to be.  You are as unlimited as the endless universe.” Shad Helmstetter

Reading

Students will participate in shared and independent reading experiences each day as we develop positive and life-long reading habits.  We will focus on developing reading fluency, active and thoughtful response to theme, and we will establish connections to what we read and our own schema – life experiences and prior knowledge.  We will explore a narrative and expository texts as well as Internet sources, reference books, periodicals, and primary sources.  Each child will participate in in-depth literature study through project-based learning, literature circles, guided reading, book talks, and written response to text.    

Writing

Our class will be participating in Writing Workshop, where each week we will focus on a vital element of writing, such as word choice, idea, organization, sentence flow, idea and voice.  Throughout the year, students will explore genres of writing including narrative, poetry, report writing, friendly letter, and descriptive writing. 

Spelling/Vocabulary Development

Spelling words are given each Monday.  Words will be selected based on students’ individual needs as shown through the weekly pre-test as well as interest and needs that emerge during Reading, Writing, and Theme.  Spelling words are given on Monday, and students are expected to practice these words at home through homework completion as well as nightly review.  Each child will complete her/his spelling test on Thursday.

Math   

The goal of the Math program is to provide each student with opportunities to explore mathematical concepts in a variety of ways.  Small group instruction on various skill sets is designed to meet individual as well as group needs.  Opportunities for problem-solving and real-world application are provided through theme-related curriculum, projects  and games.  All students are encouraged to model their thinking process through use of models, journal writing, oral presentation and computation.  We emphasize that the process of arriving at an answer is as important as the answer itself.

Science and Social Studies

Our Science and Social Studies curriculum is theme-based.  Each theme encompasses both Science and Social Studies ideas and will be integrated into many Language Arts and Math lessons as well.  Students will be required to complete research projects for each unit.  These projects will be individualized to meet each child’s ability and students will have input on the criteria and evaluation of these projects through creation of a rubric.     

Science                        Social Studies

Expeditionary Learning

“ A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step”    Lao-Tze

Our three overnights are integrated with classroom curriculum whilst also developing life skills of individual responsibility and group collaboration skills.

·         The first takes place in the classroom on the last day of the first quarter. Our divisional social event takes place the same evening! This eases the transition between being with parents and staying the night with their teachers. Parents are then asked to collect their student the following morning after breakfast so that staff can continue their scheduled grading day.

·         The second trip takes place in December. The venue is yet to be decided, but is likely to incorporate a visit/stay at the Denver Natural history museum.

·         The third trip takes place in the Spring with a dinosaur theme that may take us to Woodland Park.

You will receive notification once plans are finalized.

Field Trips/Guest Speakers

Division III takes many field trips! A permission slip will go home with the destination of the trip and the cost if there is one. If the slip is not returned your child will not be able to attend. We average about two/three trips a month. Our class will also be heading to Penrose Library as an educational opportunity to gather resources for assignments. Their library card needs to be kept at school.

We also love to have guest speakers come to us. Many of our parents and friends of the Academy have knowledge and special interests that align with our curriculum. Children LOVE to have family members come into the class, so please inform us if you are interested or have contacts. 

Assessment

Our goal is always to inspire, encourage and facilitate the curiosity and creativity of each child. We also believe that they need to learn self -discipline, focus and commitment to their intellectual life. Assessment in many different forms can help them achieve these goals – grades are a tool and part of the process. In DIII, the mantra is “grades are a reflection of behavior and choices.”  DIII is the first division at the Renaissance Academy where children receive what might be called “traditional grades.”  That is, “A, B, C, D, F.”  These grades are determined through a point system that each assignment is given. Many assignments and all projects are graded on a point system that is directly tied to a rubric.  The delight of rubrics in Division III is that instructors create many of the rubrics with the children’s input.  Therefore, at the onset of a project, we determine together what will be the elements needed to effectively demonstrate knowledge and understanding.  Children are given the opportunity to revisit work, thus learning about excellence, perseverance, new perspectives and discipline.  On Friday we reserve a time to reflect on the week and think about ways to honor task completion.  Midterm grades and prefinal grades will be distributed to parents as a vehicle for understanding what is happening at school.  These grades are a tool for measuring growth.  If you have any questions regarding your child’s grades, or their level of understanding of the process, please contact us. 

Homework

Homework is designed to complement activities done in class and to reinforce skills.  A designated folder will be used to pass homework back and forth from home to school.  This folder is also a vehicle for our weekly communication with parents.  The children are required to practice spelling words and complete assignments throughout the week.  We encourage that homework be an independent study if possible. Homework is not designed to be a struggle; rather it is effort not content bound.  Hence, homework time should not extend past 20 minutes at the start of the year.     

Behavior Expectations

Children are encouraged to behave in ways that optimize their learning experience while not interfering with other students.  Individual needs must be balanced with the group’s needs to also be learning, growing and exploring.  Early in the year we formulate expectations as a community.  We have a voice chart to clarify and regulate the pitch and volume of our voices.  Our library is regarded as a quiet zone.  We use music to calm, focus, or stimulate minds.  We teach body and mind centering activities using propioceptive exercises.  By using these strategies, children can begin the process of regulating their own behavior with skills to calm themselves in a variety of situations.  We employ strategies to alleviate disruption including 1:1 teacher time, independent refocusing time, and if necessary we will involve parents to assist in strategizing a positive plan for addressing behavior.  

Communication

Mrs. Hokanson and Miss Ring can be reached by email at divisioniii@therenaissance academy.org or by phone.  We can be reached at home Monday through Thursday evenings between 7-8 PM at 685-1048 (Hokanson), 638-8349 (Ring) and at school (475-2510) from 11 AM – Noon.   Feel free to leave a message for us and we will return your call when one of us becomes available.    

Your child is a masterpiece.  We are fortunate to spend each day with each of your children.  We look forward to the growth, learning, exploration, and discoveries we will all make on this year’s journey.                   

                                    Kara Ring                                          Del Hokanson                                 

Send mail to admissions@therenaissanceacademy.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 03/10/06