What does a day at Silver Oaks Cooperative School like? We believe that a successful classroom is well planned, and still flexible to the needs of children. We strive to teach our curriculum, but never hesitate to pause in order to address the needs of the children, or the occasional deer walking by. We believe that children are people, equal to adults and deserving of our highest respect. We also believe that children are learning how to navigate their worlds, and it is our job to coach them. The following is a sample Third Grade schedule. The flow may be different for different grades.
8:35-9:00—Arrival
9:00-9:15—Morning Meeting—Students work on social emotional learning as a whole class and learn how to work together well
9:15-10:25—Reading—2o minute whole group lesson and three reading group rotations
10:25-11:15—Specials—Students participate in art, movement, and music once a week and Spanish twice a week
11:15-11:45—Wilson Fundations—This is a phonics program for grades K-3rd. Upper grades use this time to learn grammar and vocabulary.
11:45-12:55—Wash Hands, Walk to the Park, Lunch, Play, Return
12:55-2:05—Math—Taught in small group rotations
2:05-2:20—Play break outside
2:25-3:10—Writing (3 times a week), Social Studies (1 time a week) or Science (1 time a week)
3:10—Pack up and walk to the playground for pick up
3:15-3:20-Dismissal
What if my child is above or below grade level? If your child is above or below grade level, we will instruct them based on their ability and regardless of their age. Teachers will have frequent contact with parents and guardians about their children’s progress. If your child is behind grade-level, we will work together to help catch your child up.
Do you test children? We use testing sparingly and purposefully. We will keep running records in literacy, unit math and literacy exams, published writing, and quarterly writing assessments. We believe testing is useful in order to guide pacing and units, but should never drive instruction.
What grades do you teach? We teach Kindergarten through eighth grade. Each grade is in a separate class. Fifth through eighth grades rotate through three teachers for Literacy, Math and Social Studies and the take Science with their homeroom teacher.
How do you teach them? How is the classroom set up? The bulk of our K-4 literacy and math instruction is taught through small group rotations. At our school, each teacher will have 12-15 students total, and will group them in three learning groups. During a one hour rotation, each group will have a 15 minute session with the teacher, a 15 minute session doing independent table work, and a 15 minute session working with an aide or co-oper to play a game or do another learning activity. We use Singapore Math US Edition in math and Wilson Fundations for direct phonics instruction and teachers choose learning activities for reading rotations based on the phonics curriculum. In second or third grade, children begin doing book studies in their small groups. They read a chapter, complete a reading response, and discuss it when they are with the teacher. In Middle School, the children have set books they read and study together and they continue their Singapore Math education with the Dimensions program.
What happens if we can no longer attend Silver Oaks at some point and transition into public school or another private school? Will my child be prepared? Yes! Your child will be prepared to achieve academically in another school. Our instructional standards and objectives will not deviate far from those of a traditional public school classroom. Our goal will be to teach everyone at their grade-level or higher by nationally recognized standards. It is our approach that will differ from other schools. In our experience, a lot of the rigor schools strive for is lost in the large classroom sizes, lack of social-emotional learning, and rigidity of curriculum. Our school is designed specifically to overcome these challenges. With small classes, strategic instruction, and classrooms that meet social and emotional needs, we have more time for unstructured indoor and outdoor play, and the ability to have true brain breaks and move our bodies!
Do you give homework? We encourage daily reading for every child. Starting in fifth grade students begin building the practice of homework. All take home assignment at SOCS considers the children’s capabilities, producing meaningful assignments that reinforce and enrich classroom learning. When desired, a student and their parents can work with SOCS teachers to identify take home activities that can further enhance a child’s learning or interests.
Do you take Fall birthdays in your Kindergarten class? In order to enroll in our school, your child MUST turn 5 by September 1st. If your child turns 5 by Oct 1st, you may apply for an exception. However, you or a caregiver will be required to stay with your child until their 5th birthday. Exceptions are not considered until the summer.
Where do your current families travel from? Our current families live in Greenbelt, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Rockville, Glenn Dale, Adelphi, Riverdale, College Park, Hyatsville, Lanthan, University Park, Laurel, and Washington DC. With such a diversity in locations, carpool arrangements are always on the table!
Can I bring my baby or younger child with me when I co-op? No. Younger children are not allowed to accompany co-opers. Some parents will find another family to do a childcare trade with, or arrange other childcare.
Do I have to co-op in the school? No, in-school co-oping is not required.
What do I need to co-op? You will be required to complete a federal background check with fingerprinting at your own expense and provide appropriate medical forms. Attendance of in-school trainings for working with students will be required as well. Each co-oping parent/guardian must complete all requirements. Co-oping is a serious commitment. It should be treated as a part-time job. As a co-oping parent, you are responsible for your shift. If something comes up and you cannot make it, it is your responsibility to find a replacement.
How is safety addressed? We believe keeping your child safe is one of our most important priorities. We follow the rule of three (never be one on one with a child). We have monthly fire drills and developed safety and disaster plans. Before co-oping begins, adults will receive training on safety and mandated reporting according Maryland state law. Systems are followed for checking children in and out of the school.
How do you use technology in the classroom? We believe children generally have a lot of exposure to technology outside of the classroom. While technology can be a useful tool for learning, it is not necessary and can distract from learning the actual content and developing deep understandings. Therefore, we will limit technology in our early grade classrooms (K-2) and begin using it more as a tool in 3rd grade and beyond. Teachers will have access to an LCD projector, document camera, and computer.