Green Lake Elementary School places a heavy emphasis on reading, writing, mathematics, and science. The following programs represent the proactive qualities of our teachers who continually innovate and enrich our children’s educational experiences.

Reading

Through our Reading Pal program, fifth graders are paired with first graders for weekly reading sessions. The program provides tremendous incentive for first graders as they develop their reading skills. Principal Cheryl Grinager also encourages Green Lake students to read by inviting small groups of students to read to her each week. Teachers select the students (3-4 per class per week) and the students select the book they wish to read. "I've heard some wonderful stories and listened to wonderful readers!" comments Ms. Grinager. "I'm really excited about this program, and the students seem excited, too."

Writing

Green Lake School was selected by the Seattle Public School District as one of five elementary schools piloting the Writers’ Workshop teaching curriculum for the 2008-2009 school year. This innovative approach to the writing process will be used by students K-5. Writers’ Workshop coupled with the SPS district-wide focus on Balanced Literacy will serve as the cornerstones of literacy in the Seattle Public School District for future years.

“Writing and Spelling Road to Reading and Thinking”, developed by the Rigg’s Institute, is an explicit phonetic program where the rules of spelling, syllabication and plurals are learned by application. This is the most complete neurolinguistic approach to cognitive development and English literacy developed. This program is being piloted in one of our 1st /2nd grade classes to rave reviews from parents and students.

Math

Everyday Mathematics, developed by the University of Chicago, is a revolutionary approach to teaching mathematics that draws on young children’s intuitive understanding of real-life mathematical applications in order to develop their capabilities for advanced abstract and symbolic reasoning. Drawing on more than 20 years of research, the Everyday Mathematics program has a proven track record in improving not only children’s performances on standardized tests, but in their overall computational abilities and confidence in dealing with mathematics.

Everyday Mathematics employs realistic contexts (involving money, distribution of objects, diagrams, concrete measurements, etc.) and asks children to reach and explain their own solutions to the problems posed. These early investigations in problem-solving lay the groundwork for more advanced calculations, algebra, geometry, data analysis, and probability in the upper grades. Students on these levels acquire advanced skills because they are already proficient in mathematical reasoning and can see the practical application of abstract problems. This program is offered from kindergarten through 5th grade. Everyday Mathematics was adopted by the Seattle Public School District in 2007 for use in all elementary schools. 

Science

Our science curriculum is based on the National Science Foundation hands-on program and includes a salmon hatchery and release segment. Our 4th graders venture to Bainbridge Island for an entire week to participate in environmental learning at Islandwood, an outdoor learning center that provides students with hands-on learning experiences that combine environmental awareness, science, technology, and the arts.

One of our intermediate loop teachers received training from the Institute of Systems Biology on North Lake Union in an inquiry-based science curriculum. This teacher then went on to train the rest of his 3rd/4th grade team in how to present the units and encourage real scientific interest and debate. During a national teacher conference five years ago in California, our students’ science notebooks were singled out for special notice on their quality and depth.