Sunnyside Environmental School
Curriculum
Enrollment questions? First read this page, then contact the principal's secretary, Kristy Pearson-Denning.
What is a curriculum framework?
- K-8 Curriculum Framework Charts, Fall 2008-09 (PDF)
- K-8 Curriculum Framework Charts, Winter 2008-09 (PDF)
A curriculum framework is a map of a child's journey through a specific school and its curriculum. At its best, it should provide the staff, parents, students and the community with a clear and compelling vision of their child's educational experience.
A framework is a difficult piece of work to compose as it can not be too rigid and must allow creativity and new expression while gently providing structure and agreements in a way that is useful to all.
Often school systems swing back and forth from too rigid a framework that is created by textbook publishers to no framework at all. These extremes are, in my opinion, expensive and take considerable amount of teacher time. When the pendulum swings too far in either direction, there is fear and a negative reaction by some members of the greater school community.
The best schools have always operated on a system of great teachers who shut their doors and do great things with their students. It represents rugged creativity and individuality. The teachers team with the other teachers that they enjoy working with and ignore the others. It is often a system of survival. Parents fight for these schools and these teachers with little effort to understand what it is that these teachers are doing well and why. When these teachers leave, there is nothing strong or enduring about the school. There is no purposeful road map for new teachers.
The SES framework hopes to follow a middle path that assures all children a high quality education based on the principles of environmental education while understanding the need to change assignments and classroom projects. All members of the community will have an understanding of the school's philosophy and how it plans to educate children.
The SES framework is looking at strands for each year that will hold true over the years. Teachers will decide what teaching tools and activities they will use to bring these strands into the students lives. The framework also clarifies the schools philosophy and way of living and learning within a year, a day and a season.
It is my goal, along with site council, to examine this carefully and to bring our framework to the curriculum department of PPS and ultimately to the board for approval. I believe that it is important to state what you believe in and what you know works with students. It is the opposite of working "against standardized curriculum and testing." It is saying this is what we have learned about how kids learn and thrive. It is intended to be proactive and practical. It is hopefully built with a strength and integrity that will serve the school well over the years.
To this end, we need to continue to edit, ponder and discuss the document. I need the considerable wisdom of all of you to do this. If you are a parent, a student, an editor, an educator, a wise elder, an alumni please join me in this work.
I hope this is helpful.
Sarah Taylor
Principal
Sunnyside book available
This beautiful coffee table book that was produced by the room 109 K class and sold at auction. A copy of the book is in the office and many people have asked if they could buy one. The books list for $54.95. Email jan@sonnenmair.com if you have questions.
