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Science Program For the past four years, TEAM Lanai has been able to fund a fabulous science instructor, Ms. Jessica Hinckson, who will oversee experiments in the new laboratory. The science teacher helps support our school’s science program by setting up experiments in the classroom and lab and by assisting classroom teachers by finding and providing materials that are not available at the school (checking materials out through the two LAUSD science centers, finding experiments and resources at the local library or other venue). The current science program follows the science units and their correlation to the Open Court Reading Program used at our school, as well as our Science Textbooks. We use materials from many resources to support the classroom – all found in our Science Cargo Unit and available to our teachers and staff. The Science Cargo Unit houses microscopes, flasks, batteries and wires, as well as hundreds of other consumable and non-consumable resources to support our Science Program. The program is conducted throughout the year and is based on the California Standards in Science Curriculum. The Science Program overlaps with the Garden Program and the Health Is Important Program (HIP), both of which are integrated into our school’s curriculum in all grade levels. We strive to have each grade level and classroom visit the science lab at least once a week. The upper grades visit up to twice a week. In 2008, we added “Science Explosion Days” in which parent volunteers will conduct experiments relevant to ongoing curriculum at Lanai. The Explosion Days will take place during recess or lunchtimes so that the students can have hands-on experience with science throughout the school year. This year, in 2010, we will hold our Science Expo toward the end of the year. The success of the science program is dependent upon good communication and cooperation between the science instructor, classroom teachers and volunteers. Because of our achievement with many other volunteer-based programs, we feel that this program will meet with the same success. The program, administered by Lanai Road PTA and funded by Friends of Lanai Booster, was inaugurated in the 2003/2004 school year. If you are interested in becoming a science volunteer or you have materials, research books, or children’s experiments that you would like to donate, please contact Bree Pessin at bree_pessin@yahoo.com. |
Garden Program Educating Our Children Through Experiences in the Garden A docent assisted, standards based School Garden Program This program has been designed to enhance themed units of study throughout the year presented in Open Court. Its “events” are also designed to integrate lessons in science, social studies, math and environmentalism through hands-on garden experiences that connect learning to life and life to learning, opening students up to the possibilities in the larger world around them and their role in it. This program is brought to your children through your PTA and funded by the generous donations from you and our community through FOLB fundraising activities throughout the year. Just another way your participation enhances education! |
What’s Growing in The Garden This Year.... Butterfly Lab & Habitat Garden returns! All grade levels will have an opportunity to “grow” butterflies from larva to adult stage in their classrooms and then place them into the Butterfly Towers to watch the life cycle begin again! Coming in April! Towers open in May. Second Graders become archeologists in our FOSSIL DIG in the School Garden! A trained archeologist explains the science and technique behind uncovering the ancient finds at our “site”! Our little scientists then participate in a real dig uncovering remnants of another time while entering and graphing their finds in their journals. April! WORMS! Lanai’s Worm Farm is coming! All grade levels will learn about the environmental value of waste management/recycling and its benefit to our garden and the world! Word Garden returns! All grade levels will discuss and develop a list of words relating to an area of study. These words will be painted on their own flower pinwheel which the class “plants” into the Word Garden. Samples of their writing will also be on display this spring. Fourth grade’s Dreams to Jobs Open Court unit comes alive as the students plan, develop and run their own agri-business culminating in bringing their harvest to market at Encino’s Farmers Market. Ongoing! Visit the KINDER FARM! Kinder students are introduced to gardening concepts through seed germination, seed spread (Wind), creating habitats (homes) all the way to becoming organic farmers. April! For more information on the Lanai Garden Program, please contact Jessica Hinckson. |
P.E. Program Lanai Road Elementary School's Physical Education program began in January, 2005 in an effort to meet California State Board of Education standards. Studies show that schools with strong P.E. programs not only have healthier students, but perform better overall on academics. Although elementary P.E. is a state mandated part of all school curricula, state funding is not provided for P.E. teachers and programming. Thus, Friends of Lanai Booster funds this very important program with a fully credentialed P.E. Teacher. The comprehensive curriculum that the school administration has implemented focuses on movement skills and movement knowledge, self-image and personal development and teamwork. Innovative methods of engaging students and progressively building on their skill level, regardless of athletic ability, are employed throughout the school year. The curriculum also emphasizes enjoyable participation in physical activities that are easily done throughout life and offer a diverse range of noncompetitive and competitive activities. An emphasis also put on helping students reach or surpass benchmark standards of the Presidential Challenge and the California Fitness Test. Students attend 120 minutes of P.E. weekly, rain or shine, and in the program's initial semesters, notable fitness improvements have been made in all grade levels. |