Wonder:
A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we can reach adulthood. If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an unfailing antidote against boredom and disenchantments of later years, the sterile preoccupation with things that are artificial, the alienation from the sources of our strength. (Rachel Carson, A Sense of Wonder)
Classroom atmosphere and experiences will nurture that sense of wonder and an appreciation for:
1. The wholeness of life, including birth, growth, and death.
2. Nature.
3. Design, form, color, symmetry, rhythm, and balance in nature and in art.
4. Our unique environment at school, in the community, and in the world.
5. Music, dance, drama, and other art forms
Project Based Learning:
The Options philosophy recognizes that the development of specific skills or disciplines is best accomplished as a part of projects and explorations that are meaningful and interesting to students. Curriculum topics may be treated in thematic units, which interweave many areas of learning. For example, a class that is studying ancient civilizations may not only read about the topic, but may also learn math skills necessary to calculate the immensity of the pyramids. The class may conduct scientific experiments that test different materials for papermaking, learn to read world maps and participate in ancient crafts. Students might publish or demonstrate their learning in a report, a model or a play.
All-school themes are chosen each year to further integrate curriculum and develop community. We have a three year rotation of themes-- Community, Movers and Shakers, and Sense of Place.. The culminating event is the All-School Theme Night where all the classes display their projects and share what they have learned.
Spanish
We are committed to integrating Spanish into the daily lives of Lincoln Options students, staff and families. This includes a relationship with our sister school, Ruben Dario, in Santo Tomás, Nicaragua. Spanish teachers are funded through the Options Community Council budget.
Science
Paul Rocks works with all children at our school, teaching science. He has been with the Options Program since 1999 and also has many years of experience teaching Environmental Science. Paul uses an Inquiry Based Science model integrating reading, writing and math into science. Paul is passionate about the magic of nature and in awe of the natural world. His passion is contagious.