Helen Herr Elementary
A Multiage School
The primary/intermediate multiage structure is the foundation of Helen Herr
Elementary. This carefully-planned student structure creates a staff that
encourages diversity and flexibility, and focuses on individual student growth.
The structure provides time needed for professional staff to get to know their
students in a meaningful way that allows opportunity for maximum student
growth and realization of individual potential. This structure evolved from a
philosophy that students educated in an atmosphere that encourages their
potential will become involved citizens in their democratic society and global
community.
The Helen Herr philosophy influences the practices we use in our classrooms.
We believe in the following:
Diversity of populace
Continuous academic progress over time
Multi-age structure which mirrors society
Opportunity for every child to experience success and leadership
Depth of study and understanding rather than surface coverage of curriculum
Helen Herr fosters and promotes the following content-specific practices:
Integrated curriculum
Thematic curriculum (both topical and concept-based)
Experienced-based learning
Inquiry/discovery learning
Holistic instruction
Appropriate sequencing of skills instruction
Student choices within curriculum
Helen Herr fosters and promotes the following cognitive practices:
Multiple modality strategies, i.e. visual, auditory, kinesthetic, tactile
Multiple intelligence strategies, i.e. spatial, musical, linguistic, intra
personal,interpersonal, natural awareness, etc.
Opportunities to construct ones own knowledge from experience and
study/interaction
Developmentally appropriate strategies
Higher-level questioning
Metacognition, i.e. reflection, explaining thought processes
Advanced organizers, i.e. graphic organizers, mind maps, KWL, webs
Repetition and rehearsal of knowledge for transference to long-term memory
Stimulating, safe environment
Helen Herr fosters and promotes the following assessment practices:
Diagnostic
Prescriptive
Authentic, i.e. reflective, individually-based, student-centered
metacognitive
Helen Herr fosters and promotes the following social practices:
Flexible, homogeneous and heterogeneous groupings for exploration and learning
Collaboration among learners
"Family" bonding to increase a secure and safe environment
The Helen Herr staff is constantly and continuously reflecting on the how and
why of what we do each day. We are an inquiry - based school creating
decisions grounded on our own learning and experience. We are life-long
learners facilitating another generation of life-long learners.
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