STEAM

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math are core components of Wornick’s interdisciplinary project-based curriculum, which emphasizes conceptual understanding, critical thinking, hands-on activities, and real world learning.

Wornick’s Science curriculum follows the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). In TK-2, students study physical, life, and earth sciences, using science journals to record their observations and predictions on topics such as force and motion, states of matter, weather, plants, and animals. In Grades 3-5, students continue to work on their observation and investigative skills, conduct experiments, and use data to model their understandings. Areas of study include the Earth’s structure, waves, chemical reactions, and energy. In Middle School, students experience a lab-based, inquiry science program where they build knowledge through experimentation. Topics in Middle School include water studies, geology, genetics, cell biology, chemical reactions, and Newton’s Law of Motion.

Fifth through Eighth Graders participate in the annual Science Fair, which requires long-term planning and project management to meet deadlines. Students formulate testable questions, perform research, make and test their predictions, and present their projects to Wornick’s judges. Winners of the Science Fair can proceed on to the county level competition.

Technology is integrated throughout the day in the classroom, as well as in the Peleh Lab (peleh means wonder or miracle in Hebrew), Wornick’s Makerspace. Skills include typing, user interface, presentation, communication, arts production, programming and coding, digital citizenship, and integrated design thinking with topical projects. Students have access to ipads, chromebooks, laptops, 3-D printer, cricut machine, robots, VR technology, as well as traditional tools appropriate for their learning project. Middle Schoolers have a one-to-one laptop program.

There are many opportunities for creative expression through Art and Music. Art in the lower grades emphasizes art appreciation and technique through weekly work with an art specialist, as well integration with other subjects. Arts electives are available in middle school and vary year to year, but can include: Art, Photography, Improv, and Yearbook.

Wornick students are exposed to a history, color theory, and elements of art, in conjunction with the time and studio space for personal exploration and discovery. This helps each child collect and build a personal creative tool box that includes reminders of tools they have learned and gathered, with the idea and hope that they can access these lessons moving forward. The goal is to open up the entire umbrella topic of Art as a playground and platform for greater communication and expression, and hopefully introduce language and tools that can help provide joy and even improved health throughout their lives.

Areas of focus include: confidence, mark making, upcycled materials, partnership, history, cultural significance, vocabulary, deep examination, and hidden perspectives.

Examples of materials used: acrylic, bubble wrap, chalk, dirt, elmers, foam, gesso, india ink, jute linoleum, markers, newspaper, apstels, rubber, styrogoam, tape, wood, x-actos, and potentially anything else we come across!

Music, singing, and performance art at Wornick are integrated into the TK-8 General Studies curriculum, as well as in the Judaic Studies and Hebrew curriculum. Wornick has introduced a graduated system designed to introduce and build on basic musical skills. TK/Kindergartners will be introduced to foundational concepts such as beat, rhythm, First-Third Grade students will learn to differentiate between musical style and period and will be introduced to scales, rhythm patterns, timbre, tempo and dynamics, and Fourth and Fifth Grade students will be encouraged to put their musical skills to practice by picking up an instrument and applying what they have learned about notes, rhythm, style, and expression.

In Sixth grade, as part of the explorative wheel, students will be taking a twelve-week course which offers differentiated instruction instruction for students of all levels. In Seventh and Eighth grades, there will be a variety of music electives taught throughout the year that explore music beyond instruments and provide additional musical experiences. 

All Math at Wornick is based on the Common Core Math Standards. Investigations is the Math program used in the lower grades. It empowers students to understand math concepts, procedures, and facts through problem solving and structured practice. In TK-5, topics include place value, addition, subtraction, and shape attributes. In Grades 3-5, students study number operations, fractions, data organization, and decimals. Middle School Math courses include pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry.

Students experience more math fun at our TK-5 Math and Peleh Lab Expo Night. Our Middle Schoolers can participate in Math Club, which meets weekly. Members of the Math Club may also attend Math and Science Day at Great America and participate in a variety of challenges that use math and science knowledge to complete.

Middle School STEAM electives may include Peleh Lab, Coding, Engineering, 3D Printing, Robotics, Strategic Thinking Through Board Games, Cooking, Art, Photography, and Yearbook.