Next parent information meeting will be Thursday, January 21st, 2027
LOWER GRADES
1ST-6TH
Classes will be made up of two grade levels with a maximum of 8-12 students per class depending on grade level. Students will meet on campus two days a week- on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 2:30pm.
All parents will be required to sign a Family Agreement in which they consent to Rooted Collaborative’s mission, policies, and expectations.
On campus days, students will meet to enjoy quality literature, learn how to communicate well orally and in written language, work on meaningful projects together and study subjects that are explored “better together” as opposed to independently at home.
On home days, students will have some follow up homework to prepare for the next campus day but will not be prescribed a full day of work. We want families to have the freedom to choose what is best for their children and family on home days. We are happy to provide guidance.
Essential Core Skills:
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Phonics Instruction for emergent readers
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Developing rich personal reading lives and family reading lives
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Mathematics
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Completing assignments for Rooted meeting days
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Supplemental science (one or more days)
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Other Possible Subjects (left to the family’s discretion):
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Foreign Language
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Music and Art
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Handwriting
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Grammar/ Vocabulary
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Geography
SUBJECTS COVERED AT HOME
SUBJECTS COVERED AT ROOTED IN THE LOWER GRADES
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Writing and Spelling
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History
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Science and Nature Study
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Literature
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Projects
*We will also be doing math games and problem solving to reinforce developmentally appropriate math concepts at each level
Curriculum
We want our teachers to feel empowered to make meaningful curriculum choices for their classroom and to be excited about what they are teaching. All the teachers collaborate with Krista and Melanie on curriculum choices. Curriculums we use:
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Writing- Units of Study with Lucy Calkins
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Spelling- All About Spelling, dictation Grammar- Grammar Ace, Using Language Well
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History- Beautiful Feet Books
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Math Problem Solving- Exemplars
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Science- The Good and the Beautiful, Memoria Press
SUBJECTS COVERED AT HOME
Essential Core Skills:
-
Phonics Instruction for emergent readers
-
Developing rich personal reading lives and family reading lives
-
Mathematics
-
Completing assignments for Rooted meeting days
-
Supplemental science (one or more days)
Other Possible Subjects (left to the family’s discretion):
-
Foreign Language
-
Music and Art
-
Handwriting
-
Grammar / Vocabulary
-
Geography
Assessment
The purpose of assessment is to gather data on what a person knows and understands about what has been taught. In an educational setting with small class sizes, teachers are naturally in tune with how children are learning and processing what has been taught. There are no tests or grades in the Lower School. We will communicate children’s progress through parent conferences and/or emails and through portfolios. Each child will put together a portfolio of their work to show growth and evidence of learning throughout the year. At the end of each school year, there will be a Celebration of Learning where parents get to come and review their child’s portfolio together. While we don’t test on a regular basis, we do think that testing skills are necessary for higher level education. It’s important to learn basic test-taking skills and to work on the stamina necessary. We will provide an opportunity yearly for students to take a nationally renowned standardized test to track progress and practice test taking strategies.