Elementary School

Reading groups are made up of 3-7 students working at the same instructional level. We use a multisensory, phonetic approach to teaching decoding based on Orton-Gillingham methods.

In daily Reading classes, students receive specific instruction in phonics, both encoding and decoding. We focus on building comprehension and fluency. Students use reading materials appropriate for their level and age, practicing phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and more.

The strategies taught in reading are reinforced in every other subject area.

Oakwood teachers follow a structured scope and sequence of skills that guide students to improve their written communication.

Students are taught a comprehensive writing system including strategies for organization and idea generation. Our goal is to build a comfortable level of independence in content writing that can carry them across subject matter. 

At the elementary level, students work with an on-site Occupational Therapist to develop the fine motor skills essential for legible handwriting, both print and cursive. Our technology teacher introduces keyboarding instruction for developmentally appropriate finger placement and coordination. 

Math groups are made up of 3-7 students working at the same instructional level. 

In Mathematics, we prioritize building strong foundational skills and addressing concept gaps. Our approach is hands-on and multisensory, following the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) sequencing, proven effective in skill development.

At the elementary level, we begin with concrete experiences, such as hands-on manipulatives, allowing students to gain a tangible grasp of the underlying concepts. As they progress, semi-concrete representations, like two-dimensional images, provide a bridge between the concrete and the abstract. Eventually, we introduce abstract learning - working with numbers and symbols and the application of conceptual understanding. 

Science and Social Studies are taught in homeroom groups of up to 13 students. Teachers incorporate multisensory learning experiences to increase content retention and provide direct instruction in study/organizational skills. 

In content-heavy subjects like Science and Social Studies, students receive specific support in building strong note-taking skills, improving their information recall, and expanding their vocabularies.

Science and Social Studies classes provide opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching as students are encouraged to consider various perspectives, explore creative problem-solving, and recognize the interconnectedness of different subjects and topics.