Wingra's integrated curriculum

Our teaching practice at Wingra centers around the understanding that areas of knowlege are interrelated. Wingra teachers integrate instruction, covering several academic subjects in the context of a theme.

Themes are rich and broad to incorporate many disciplines. A unit on a topic like "oceans" lends itself well to the study of science (marine life and the effect of oceans on climate), social studies (how oceans have shaped history and affected the lives of coastal people), language arts (reading literature about the sea, writing on related topics), and math (calculating the volume of bodies of water and distances in nautical miles vs. land miles, knots vs. miles per hour). Frequently music and art are integrated into the unit, and vocabulary learned in Spanish may parallel the vocabulary of the classroom theme.

Themes reflect student interests.
Wingra teachers consider students' interests when designing thematic units. An important curriculum goal is to teach children to share responsibility for their own learning and to promote a lifelong love of learning. We have found that planning theme study around the interests of children serves both of these ends.

Themes are developmentally appropriate to each level.
Students in our program have the opportunity to participate in a rich variety of theme studies. Information is presented in a different context for students of different ages. For example, students ages 5 to 8 may do a unit about the human body that familiarizes them with the names of body parts and organs. At age 10, students may do a similar unit that covers anatomy and body systems. Students ages 11 to 14 may continue their study of the human body with a unit on health, wellness, and sexuality.

Units of study are presented in two main ways: guided choices at centers and group activities.
The use of subject centers allows students to make decisions about time management, level of difficulty, depth of study, and method of gathering and sharing information through a selection of guided choices with clear expectations. A variety of activities are offered to accommodate students' varied learning styles.

Group activities allow students to experience and practice speaking in and facilitating large groups; to work with a variety of people to make collective decisions; to work productively in small groups; and to engage in real, meaningful, democratic discussions. Students learn to processs and share information in a range of ways.

Themes provide ongoing opportunities for social and ethical growth.
Teachers always consider the possibilities for meaningful group work when selecting and designing units. Group or whole class projects reinforce concepts while building classroom community. Ethics and responsibility are emphasized at all levels. In the older classes in particular, teachers frame unit topics so as to bring ethical considerations into the classroom dialogue.

Example of classroom units from a recent year »

Our approach to progressive education »

Descriptions by subject »
Teaching in themes »
Independent projects »

How we evaluate student progress »

An introduction to our classes »
Meet our staff »