The Warwick Way
The Warwick Community Elementary School & District is committed to providing an innovative, engaging and hands-on education to its students. Through nature-centered, place and project based learning, students will study in and about the environment on our 25-acre woodland campus. Students will learn to think critically and develop solutions for challenges being faced both in Warwick and around the globe, especially those related to the environment and social justice.
WCS has chosen curricular materials for all subject areas that are standards-aligned and research and evidence based. All of our curricula has gotten high ratings for their impact on achievement from organizations including the Federal Department of Education. These include Illustrative Math (IM), University of Florida reading program (UFLI), Expeditionary Learning (EL) interdisciplinary learning units and project/place based (PBL) nature units developed by teachers in conjunction with Antioch University
Academic Pillars
PERSONALIZED LEARNING
Personalization is at our core. We are able to personalize student work to meet the interests and needs of every child. Students will engage in work grade level and beyond in order for all students to meet their full potential.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & JUSTICE & SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Warwick fosters inclusivity, cultural responsiveness and appreciation, and enhances students' abilities to navigate challenges, cooperate, and engage in respectful debate. Our responsive and restorative approach ensures students feel a sense of deep engagement and belonging. We encourage students to become active members of the Warwick community and advocates for a more just world.
CURRICULUM
Our curriculum aims to instill a sense of joy in students' daily learning. It fosters engagement being standards-aligned, research-based, and hands-on. Project-based learning and the arts are emphasized through on-site artist-in-residence. Our goal is to provide a well-rounded education that cultivates curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity, ensuring students find joy in their educational journey.
Literacy: English Language Arts
At WCS, we believe in a comprehensive, joyful approach to literacy instruction aligned with the Science of Reading. Our literacy block is guided by the Simple View of Reading, which shows us that, while reading is a complex activity, it can be represented as two interdependent processes: Word Recognition and Language Comprehension.
(Gough & Tumner, 1986)
Word Recognition:
UFLI Foundations (K-3) and ALL Block (4-6)
We teach word recognition skills explicitly, systematically, and multi-sensory. Following the Science of Reading, UFLI (pronounced “You Fly”) Foundations is an explicit and systematic program that teaches students the foundational skills necessary for proficient reading. It follows a carefully developed scope and sequence designed to ensure that students systematically acquire each skill needed and learn to apply each skill with automaticity and confidence.
UFLI Foundations is research-based and evidence-based. In grades 4-6, this will happen during the ALL Block. Students will engage in advanced word study, vocabulary, writing, independent reading, and differentiated learning activities.
Language Comprehension:
EL Education (K-6)
Using EL Education Content-Based Literacy Modules, students will engage in compelling, real-world content that connects to the social studies and science standards. This knowledge-building curriculum uses trade books, authentic literature, and high-interest texts to support students in becoming critical thinkers and skilled readers and writers. Using our environment, students will contextualize what they learn in the modules during nature-centered, project-based learning time.
Mathematics:
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics is a problem-based curriculum that makes rigorous elementary school mathematics accessible to all learners. In a problem-based curriculum, students learn by doing math, solving problems in a real-world context, and forming arguments using precise, mathematical language. Teachers guide students to make connections between concepts and procedures. When students learn through problem solving, they are more engaged in math, which influences the way students think of themselves as mathematicians.
A typical IM lesson begins with a warm-up to tap into students’ prior knowledge and then moves into problems that require collaboration to solve. Teachers monitor and engage students and then synthesize students’ learning at the end of the lesson. There is also time for students to practice and reflect.
Project Based Learning:
Project Based Learning
All students at Warwick Community School participate in project based learning. Our students work on projects over an extended period of time that engage them in answering complex questions or solving real world problems. They share their new knowledge and skills by creating a product or presentation to share with a real audience at our Community Exhibitions of Learning.
Through their project based learning experiences, students collaborate with others, talk with experts, think creatively, and communicate effectively.
THE BENEFITS OF LEARNING IN NATURE
HEALTH BENEFITS
Kids that spend time outdoors tend to be more active, stronger immune systems, more vitamin D, and promotes good sleep cycles. Time spent outdoors can have a positive influence on mental health, including lower levels of stress and blood pressure, as well as helping to buoy mood.
Nature based learning enables children to discover the joys of the world and how they each fit into it.
IMPROVED FOCUS & DISCIPLINE
Studies have shown that children that spend time outdoors tend to have better focus, enhanced creativity, and fewer instances requiring discipline. Research found that the benefits are especially strong for students who struggle staying focused and engaged in regular classroom settings.
IMPROVED LEARNING DEVELOPMENT
A Stanford study found benefits included environmental literacy development, cognitive development, social and emotional learning development, physical development and language and literacy development.
2nd and 3rd graders experience the joy of discovering baby amphibians on our woodland campus
What is Place-Based Instruction?
Place based learning will allow our students to learn in and about nature as a way to make their learning engaging and meaningful with a strong emphasis on Warwick's community, town government, and town history.
Our project based learning will be “place based” and will focus on our beautiful woodland campus. Students’ learning is connected to their own hometown and natural environment as it applies to civics, learning the culture, social issues, geography, people, structures, economics, and biodiversity of the local community
Warwick’s commitment to place-based learning is reflected in our campus and future campus plans. The district has partnered with the community and select committee and boards to reinvent the campus as a natural landscape for learning.
THE BENEFITS OF PLACE-BASED INSTRUCTION
A deeper connection with their surroundings provides a structure for considering communities and cultures in other lands, which is the basis of becoming a global citizen.
*Warwick has partnered with nearby Antioch University, which specializes in place-based and nature-based learning. This type of specific, expert curriculum support with universities and colleges is planned to continue.
STUDENT SERVICES
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Our early childhood developmental learning approach incorporates a deep-rooted understanding of the importance and significance of play in a young child’s development, a commitment to Massachusetts Early Childhood Standards, and nature exploration and time outdoors. This emphasis will align with, and prepare students for, Warwick’s elementary school emphasis on environmental and nature studies.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
The Warwick Community School is a public elementary school. Students who have been evaluated and have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans will receive special services from special educators as specified on their plans.
INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PLANS
Learning plans are curated every year by Warwick educators with students and families closely involved. Every year new goals are set for their development in academics, social emotional growth, and leadership for the environment. Students will have the opportunity to share their interests and research questions about nature and the world that they seek to answer in the coming year.
ADDITIONAL CURRICULAR RESOURCES
The Benefits of Learning in Nature
A centerpiece of the programming at Warwick Community School will be a focus on nature. Check out some of the research here, data here and benefits here.
Our reading program
The reading program at the Warwick Community School will be based on the science of reading. The heart of our program will be the Orton Gillingham multisensory approach. You can find more information about the importance of the science of reading here.
Additional information
If you would like additional resources or information shared with you, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Accessibility Statement
Warwick School District is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience. We are continually seeking accessibility improvements. If you experience difficulty with web page or document access, or if you have questions or concerns about accessing information on our website, please email Carol Holzberg, Technology (cholzberg@warwick-k12.us) to request the materials in alternate format. Please allow up to 2 days for a response.
