PROGRAMS

Academics | Arts | Class Groupings & Schedule

Academics

Language Arts
Children at Walden learn to appreciate literature from many cultures in a program that combines reading, creative writing, and phonics to help children master essential literacy skills. Children keep journals each year and create original stories, some of which are later revised, edited and “published” into individual books or class collections. Older children participate in book discussions that examine complex novels in terms of plot, theme, and character, while continuing to improve their skills in creative and expository writing. They regularly share their love of literature through the Reading Buddies program, in which they read favorite books to younger students. During our yearly Book Week, the whole school community celebrates authors, illustrators, and the art of bookmaking.

Mathematics 
In our hands-on, problem- solving approach, math is presented as a tool for everyday life. Children in each class work cooperatively, as well as individually, to solve math problems. Younger students explore quantity and shape through building with manipulatives, translating these early discoveries into the recognition and description of pattern in number. Older children develop skills in computation and mental math, while working with increasingly complex mathematical concepts. Using a wide variety of resources, teachers design the curriculum to combine grade-level expectations with developmentally appropriate units of study. Sources include the guidelines of National Council of Teachers Mathematics and the California State Framework.

Science
We begin our program of scientific inquiry by building on children’s natural curiosity about the world around them. Children of all ages learn to ask questions, form hypotheses, observe, experiment, and draw conclusions. Older students collect and analyze data within larger units of study.These exciting units support child-centered learning, covering the areas of life, physical, and environmental sciences. Our annual Science Week culminates in a science fair display of original experiments, designed and implemented by students in 1st through 6th grade.

Spanish 
The Spanish program uses a mixture of songs, games and experiential activities as well as oral and written exercises. The children become increasingly familiar with the language and Latin American culture as they progress through the school.

Assessment 
Parents and teachers work collaboratively to set academic and social goals for each child. Instead of using standardized tests, teachers assess children informally on a regular basis. Teachers communicate student growth and progress at Fall and Spring conferences with parents. These meetings are held in lieu of report cards. They provide opportunities for discussion of each child’s academic progress, social growth, and emotional development.

Arts

Drama & Movement
The Drama and Movement program provides a sense of confidence and creativity through singing, imaginative play, gross motor coordination and cooperation. Children participate in a series of developmentally appropriate challenges that enhance their abilities to speak, move and create. The youngest children play imaginative games that include fantasy, cooperation and lots of running and tumbling. Older groups follow guided dance warm ups and incorporate fantasy games into more formal tasks, such as acting and dancing. The oldest children perform in a large musical production each Spring at a local theater.

Music
The Music Program, vocal and instrumental, instills a lifelong love and appreciation of the World’s music and allows children to have wonderful first performances with, and for, the Walden Community. The instrumental program is based on playing pitched percussion instruments. Children learn form and notation and the broad musical ideas of melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre. Beginning students sing from an extensive repertoire of world folk music which, as children grow, become more sophisticated and includes rounds and parts singing.  Additional classes reflect students’ interests and have included guitar, drumming, recorder, and garage band. At every level, the emphasis of the Music Program is on understanding and enjoyment.

Visual Arts
The Visual Arts program encourages and inspires the visual imagination inherent in all children. Students discover and refine their unique style; excite and expand their interest in a variety of materials and techniques. Classroom curriculum, personal and age-related themes are given form using painting, collage, assemblage, clay, book-making, and textile art. As they grow, children continually express themselves creatively while learning to master specific art techniques. In addition to individual work, children collaborate on many projects throughout the year.

Class Groupings & Schedule
Classroom Groupings
Walden has a maximum enrollment of 96 students. Children progress through four major groups that include overlapping ages and grades
• The Lower Group, ages 5-6 one teacher and an assistant
• The Lower Middle Group, ages 6-8 one teacher and an assistant
• The Middle Group, ages 7-9 team-taught by two teachers
• The Upper Group, ages 9-12 team-taught by two teachers

Children do much of their work each day in small groups, enabling a student/teacher ratio that ranges from 7:1 to 16:1, depending on the class and activity.

Daily Schedule
The regular school day schedule is
• Lower Group 9:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• Lower Middle Group 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• All other students 8:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Snack Time: 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
• Lunch Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

The Walden grounds are open to students at 8:45 a.m. on school days. This is especially useful for high-energy children or others needing some transition time before class begins.