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. In a typical year, a sample schedule is as follows:
8:45-9:00 Morning Meeting: Students enter and settle in by doing a morning activity. The teacher then leads a class meeting to build and inclusive learning community.
9:00-9:30—Wilson Fundations Phonics Program
9:30-10:20—Writing or Read Aloud and Whole Group Literacy Lesson Outside
10:20-10:50—Outdoor Snack and Play: Our playground is nestled in the woods surrounding the school.
10:50-12:00- Literacy: Reading rotations of independent work and literacy centers, while the teacher meets with small groups learning reading skills.
12:00-12:30-Outdoor Lunch
12:30-1:20—Specials Class: Students participate in a Spanish, Art, Music, or Taekwondo Lesson
1:20-2:30—Math: Teacher leads a whole group mini lesson, then meets with small groups to teach skills and concepts. Students work independently or on a math center or game when not working with a teacher.
2:30-3:00—Social Studies or Science
3:00-3:15—Outdoor Play
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 Fifth Grade. We have a separate Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third Grade class. The Fourth and Fifth Graders are combined in the same class together. Beginning in 2023-24 we are expanding into sixth grade and will add a grade every year until we reach eighth.
How do you teach them? How is the classroom set up? The bulk of our literacy and math instruction is taught using the workshop model. If applicable, the teacher does a whole group mini lesson. Students work in a leveled group with the teacher for 15-20 minutes, completes independent seat work, and chooses related centers or games (learning activities that help them practice concepts/skills). At our school, each teacher will have 12-15 students total, and may have 3-4 groups. We use Singapore Math US Edition and Fountas and Pinnell’s Baseline Assessment System to assess reading levels. We use Wilson Fundations for direct phonics instruction. Teachers collaborate to develop unit themes that integrate science and social studies.
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 very 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. 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, and Washington DC. With such a diversity in locations, carpool arrangements are always on the table!
Can I bring my baby with me when I co-op? No. Younger children are not allowed to accompany co-opers. Many 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.
You have these beautiful woods surrounding the school. Are they safe? How will you use them for the school? Is the school building secure while inside? What are the requirements for adults working with children? Above all else, we must keep the children safe! We update our emergency plans yearly and share them with all of membership before the start of school. We hold regular drills. The education building remains locked throughout the day. Visitors must ring a bell and be admitted by the church administrator. Our co-opers will be fingerprinted and background checked, and trained. As far as safety with regards to using the woods and creek with the kids, they will be used in a controlled way. We will set limitations and teach the kids so that we can create a balance between enjoying our time in the woods and staying safe. For free play, we have created a nature based playground behind the church building, and use this primarily.
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 audio recorders/players, an LCD projector, document camera, and computer.
How do you transition to remote learning when required? We made a video about it! Below a representation of how we moved to all online learning when the pandemic first hit the USA in March 2020.