New for the 2009-2010 school year
Mindful Teaching and Learning
Each classroom receives 15 minute Mindful Teaching and Learning lessons for approximately 8 weeks, 2 days a week. Leaders of Lakeshore’s program have received training from the Mindful Schools program. The program goals include:
- Enhanced concentration & focus
- Improved impulse control, decision making, and reduced violence
- Reduced stress
- Greater empathy and community awareness
Ongoing Lakeshore Programs
Gardening (Science in the Gardens) Grades K-5
All the lessons are based on the California state science standards; all the lessons are sensory; all the lessons are outside in the garden. Worksheets are used in every lesson to emphasize and clarify what they are learning; magnifiers are assigned to each child to increase their ability to observe the tiniest detail of a leaf or a bug. Everything is science and everything in the garden is a tremendous motivation for learning. Martha Luna and Jean Moshofsky Butler are the garden/science educators at Lakeshore.
Motor Perception Grades K-3
The Motor Perception program (affectionately called “motor”) is designed to help K-3 students develop and improve gross motor skills and coordination in a fun, non-competitive setting.
Phys Ed Grades 4-5
Information to come.
Studio Art Grades K-5
Lakeshore’s Studio Art Program (formally called the PTA Art Program) is a PTA-funded, school-wide, longitudinal fine arts program which provides professional art classes to all students in all grades. The art curriculum builds student art skills incrementally throughout the grade levels. The studio art program is under the direction of Sharon Collins.
Poetry* Grades 1-5
Grace Grafton’s poetry program at Lakeshore has been in place since 1984-85. The program consists of poetry workshop sessions in all classes except kindergarten. Workshop content includes poetry appreciation, discussion or hands-on activity, writing, and sharing of original writing by students.
Dance* Grades K-3
Myrtha Muse’s dance program uses the traditions, styles and arts of the African Diaspora and contemporary dance to explore culture through rhythm, movement and song. Children learn balance, breath, performance and discipline.
Yoga* Grades K-5
The Yoga program focuses on building coordination and community while having fun. Kate’s teaching style creates a safe space for children of all ages and abilities to connect to their own inner wisdom while gaining flexibility, strength and balance both physically and mentally. Children practice Yoga poses, breathing exercises, visualizations, partner and groups games in a non-competitive environment. Kate Roades Sosnowski is Lakeshore’s yoga instructor (see: www.yogawithkateandrosey.com)
Drama/Theater* Grades K-5
The children learn about the stage and what it takes to make a theatrical production: performers, stage crew, lights, sound, costumes, props, makeup, music, etc. The goal is not to turn the children into little actors, but to teach them to be the audience of the future. Mimi Sarkisian runs the theater program.
Instrumental Music Grades 4-5
An instrumental music program is sponsored by the SFUSD for grades 4 and 5.
Music Grade 3
Information to come.
Singing with Steve Grades K-?
Information to come.
Taiko Drumming Grades 1-?
Information to come.
Library Grades K-5
The mission of the Lakeshore Alternative School’s library program is to support teaching and learning in the classroom. The library resource center is staffed by a certificated library media services teacher, and several dedicated parent volunteers. Every class visits the library each week. On alternate visits the staffeither checks out books or teaches library information literacy activities. Parents and Staff have access to the library resources. Lakeshore’s Librarian is Mrs. Celena Courtney
Reading Buddies Grades K – 5
Younger students are paired with older students for a weekly program of student mentoring and fun.
Architecture*
The architecture program offers opportunities to discover architectural design as a way to add to and enrich the core curriculum. Students are provided opportunities to look at different aspects of architecture form and function and compare them to structures found in nature. They are encouraged to explore these concepts through hands-on building projects using a variety of materials. Shirl Buss teaches architecture.
Health/Puberty Education Grades 4 & 5
A program about the changes associated with puberty.
*Programs marked with an asterisk are essentially electives that can be selected by each classroom teacher to enrich the curriculum. These programs are described as being part of the “PTA Consultant Pool for the Arts and Sciences.” Each classroom is funded for approximately 20 hours of these enrichment classes; this system provides teachers with maximum flexibility to choose programs in area(s) that they feel will best complement their particular classroom’s curriculum each year.
Curriculum Programs
Foss Science
FOSS is a research-based science curriculum for grades K—8 developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley. Activities and more information at the Foss website.
Houghton Mifflin
Information to come.
Everyday Mathematics
Everyday Mathematics is a comprehensive Pre-K through 6th grade mathematics curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project. Students with a login from their teacher can access online activities at the Everyday Math Online.
Instructional Differentiation
GATE (Gifted and Talented Program) Grades 3-5
Students are identified as GATE students beginning in the third grade. A site-based team considers a variety of factors including; teacher recommendation, report card grades, parent recommendation, and test scores. In general we look for students who score at the 90th percentile or above on the STAR test qualify. In elementary schools GATE students are clustered in all 4th and 5th grade classrooms. Teachers differentiate instruction. Differentiating is the philosophy that enables teachers to plan strategically in order to reach the needs of diverse learners in their classroom. There is no separate GATE curriculum. The standards based Core Curriculum in each content area is differentiated using various strategies that provide additional challenge and opportunities for students to perform to their highest potential based on their academic needs and interests.
Inclusion Program K-5
Students who receive inclusion services are enrolled in general education classrooms. Students are provided with the appropriate accommodations and modifications to the core curriculum as outlined in their IEP by the Inclusion Teacher and general education teacher.
Special Day Classes K-5
Students in Special Day Classes (SDC) are enrolled in self-contained special education classes. They are assigned to these classes by their IEP eligibility and receive support from the Special Day Class teacher and the support staff. There are two Special Day Classes at Lakeshore; one for grades K-2 and one for grades 3-5. Lakeshore’s SDC classes are designed meet the needs of students with mild to moderate speech and language impairments.