Flexible, Interest Forward Curriculum
Wildflower Academy aims to empower students through flexible and strength based curriculum. By becoming a partner in their own learning goals, student attention is enhanced and self confidence grows.
Our curriculum fuses academics with executive functioning skill building and social emotional learning.
Foundational Layered Supports
1
Flexible Academics
While our learners are often advanced cognitively and have strengths in specific areas, they can often fall behind in class because they are bored and lose focus due to underlying learning needs.
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Wildflower Academy provides an alternative to traditional academic instruction with our flexible approach. Here are some of the ways we adapt our curriculum:
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- Tasks are broken down into manageable blocks both in scope and duration
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- Breaks are built around academic lessons to encourage regulation and attention to learning.
- ​Graphic organizers, visual guides and other tools are utilized to reinforce and reflect instruction
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- Small class groupings allow teachers to give individualized support
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- Positive Encouragement Program - points earned in each class time. PEP tally sheet sent home daily. Points earn rewards weekly.
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We believe learning is best accessed when approached from a "can-do" perspective. Success builds confidence. ​​
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2
Executive Functioning Support
Our unique learners often struggle with executive functioning skills. This might look like:
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- Difficulty with following multi-step instructions
- Difficulty understanding time management needed to complete a project
- Difficulty organizing papers or losing work and materials needed for class
- Getting confused about assignment directions or difficulty initiating the work
- Overwhelmed by transitions
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Executive Functioning support is integrated into all activities of the school day. Building these skills takes patient, clear and repetitive instruction. From arrival to dismissal, staff are focused on teaching and strengthening areas such as:
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- Developing Routines
- Organization and Preparation
- Task Planning and Initiation
- Time Management
- Flexibility
- Working Memory
- Impulse Control
- Stress tolerance and regulating emotions.​
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We merge executive functioning skills into daily routines and activities. ​
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3
Social and Emotional Support
Unique learners can feel misunderstood or that they are different than their peers. They may have difficulty connecting or fitting in socially. Our students are often more sensitive to their surroundings and their emotions.
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​Social and Emotional skill building at Wildflower Academy starts with our core focus on each student's unique strengths to develop rapport. This partnership, coupled with respectful, kind, flexible and fun teaching strategies, allow staff to foster:
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- Comfort in school setting​
- Autonomy
- Flexibility and Patience
- Self awareness
- Self management
- Self confidence
- Social awareness
- Peer relationship skills
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For sensitive learners, we offer comprehensive calming strategies including noise cancelling headphones, advance notice and warnings for drills, and calming spaces when needed.
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Social-emotional skill building and teaching strategies are integrated into academic learning and the school curriculum as a whole.
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In our school, students can find connections with peers, form meaningful relationships, and learn together.​​​​
Unique Learning Projects
(ULP's)
Our interest driven curriculum is further enhanced by our Unique Learning Projects. These projects allow us to partner with each student individually - acknowledging their creative ideas - giving them purpose to learn.
Unique Learning Projects
Student driven and teacher supported
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Tie in to academics to continue learning
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Showcase for talents, interests, and strengths
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Project time is integrated daily
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Finished projects are presented to peers
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Choice to work individually or collaboratively on projects
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