At Prairie Winds Elementary School we believe in providing a positive atmosphere and a safe, nurturing environment where brain-based learning can take place. We believe students learn by doing and being challenged to reach their potential. We believe it is important to educate the whole child. We value developing children's musical, creative, and physical skills, along with a strong academic program. We recognize that children need opportunities to work collaboratively with others while developing their social skills.

• We believe that all children can learn and that it is important to respond to the individual learning needs of each child. Students at Prairie Winds will have visual, auditory, tactile (hands-on) and kinesthetic (movement) experiences so that the needs of all learners will be met.

• Balanced Literacy is a method of instruction which engages students in many varieties of oral, written, and visual language. The program ensures that the needs of all students are met while learning to read, write, and speak. Whole group and small group instruction, phonics practice, speaking and listening skills, and authentic writing are key pieces to a Balanced Literacy program.

• This type of instruction involves teacher teams planningunits of study across the curriculum and throughout the grade levels. Instruction includes interaction of core subjects with art, music and physical education to enhance the education of all students.

• Students at Prairie Winds will be active learners engaged in hands-on learning. Science will be taught through experiments and hands-on activities engaging students in the scientific process, thereby allowing their inquiring minds to be stimulated by the excitement of discovery. In math, students will have the opportunity to use plenty of manipulatives, which will allow them to make the connection from concrete, hands-on materials to concepts and abstract reasoning.

• Our team approach emphasizes grade level and multi-level collaboration.

• When looping, a teacher keeps the same class for two years. Benefits of looping include: retention of academic growth, a continuum of expectations, decreased student anxiety, and higher achievement due to more time dedicated to academic tasks.