Casita students are exposed to language through various interdisciplinary arts during weekly rotations. Language is also integrated into STEM units of study. Additionally, students experience multicultural perspectives while engaging in culturally rich, hands-on activities. The goal of the language classroom is to encourage positive experiences learning a second language, a willingness to communicate in the second language and for students to develop oral and written expression in the second language. These objectives will help open students’ minds to the value of language and how it communicates the richness of so many cultures.
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Habitat
The schoolyard habitat is an on-going wetland restoration project that is used as an outdoor classroom. The area provides the opportunity to participate in outdoor education such as, citizen science, watershed education, wildlife observation, Native American studies, art in nature, and a variety of other activities. This approximately 2 acre area features tree-stump seating, shaded outdoor learning lab, nature trails, owl/bat boxes, and planted with California Coastal Sage. Botanical Garden Casita Center’s front yard is a 10,000 sq. ft. botanical garden. This garden has recently been designated as a certified wildlife habitat. Permanent planting areas include California native plants from different climatic zones, as well as, a pond with a variety of fish and crustaceans. Redwood boxes offer planting opportunities for students as a classroom project. Redwood benches serve as a place to sit and read or to observe our ecosystem. There is also an area with benches for small assemblies, class instruction, or performances. |
Casita teachers integrate the magnet theme of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) into their daily curriculum. Students will experience a variety of STEM activities weekly, in indoor and outdoor STEM labs. Inquiry and project based STEM activities are also integrated into the classroom units of study. Through the STEM curriculum students are provided with rich programs including technology, a broadcasting studio, a schoolyard habitat, a demonstration and a botanical garden, and a Makery meets Design Lab called DREAMS Lab (Design, Research, Engineering, Art, Math, and Science).
Technology Casita is continually updating technology. Students in Kindergarten utilize 1:1 iPads where students in grades 1-5 have 1:1 Chromebooks in addition to other electronic devices (ipad cart, kindles, netbooks, and desktop computers). Students access their learning with digital microscopes, a quadrocopter drone video and camera equipment, Lego WeDo Robotics, and Kano Computer Kits.Casita also has one computer lab that allow for whole group instruction in programming and coding, using a variety software. Students will develop and maintain digital portfolios to showcase their published work to the community. In grades 3-5, students experience blended learning environments that provide them with differentiated instruction using engaging and interactive simulations. Examples include flipped learning and digital homework. |