Even though 2023-2024 proved to be another challenging year in education, we still celebrated much success at Lakewood Elementary School. Our students, parents, teachers, and administration embraced the challenges of this school year while developing and implementing innovative methods for providing effective instruction for all students. We remained committed to looking continuously for ways to improve our students' educational experience and celebrated many accomplishments and achievements that validate the talents of our students, as well as the professional commitment of our staff.
Through creation and collaboration stations, students are able to apply learning to create products that demonstrate learning, use critical thinking and problem solving skills to develop a plan for their creation, work with others to both develop their idea as well as carry it out, share their information with others in a variety of ways, determined by choice or need, and know when and how to ask for help when working in these stations.
The use of cooperative learning structures helps our students to develop each of the life and career characteristics: Integrity- Following the directions given for each of the structures, assisting classmates not giving the answers, completing all parts of the tasks the way they were intended, and being able to work independent of teacher direction for periods of time. Self-direction- Knowing what is expected and reaching that expectation, completing tasks in the time given, seeking help independently or from a peer and knowing what needs to be done before being asked. Global perspective- Engaging in cooperative structures allows students to hear strategies, ideas, and thoughts from their peers, which allows them to adjust or defend their thinking as needed to complete a task. Perseverance- Cooperative structures teach students to stick with the task or learning at hand. By developing a student’s ability to ask for help when needed, teach others how to do something, or to explain something, they model what it means to persevere to the end. Work ethic- Cooperative structures help students to understand that each person plays a role and that without their contribution, work may not be complete or the best that it can be. Interpersonal skills- Cooperative structures help students to listen, be respectful, respond without emotion, look people in the eye, share ideas, communicate ideas, disagree respectfully, revise thinking, ask questions for understanding, and to be polite.
Teachers participate in weekly analysis of ELA and Math standards, as outlined by SC State Department of Education, and align them to rigorous classroom tasks. Outside of core content areas, students have weekly opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary studies including Art, Music, PE, Library, Technology, Guidance, and Outdoor Science Inquiry, which incorporate many STEM skills.
We will continue to provide effective instruction in a safe and healthy environment for our students and our staff. We continue to look for innovative ways to inspire new possibilities within our students. Most important, we will always uphold great reverence for the sacred trust our parents and community have placed in us to prepare a new generation for college, careers, and citizenship.
Katherine Roberts, Principal / Samantha House, School Improvement Council Chairperson
