Curriculum
The curriculum at Wilshire Park Elementary School offers varied approaches to learning. They are based on learning styles, individual learning needs and student and teacher interests. These approaches may include cooperative learning groups, looping (a group of students and their teacher staying together for more than one year), team teaching (two classes and two teachers working together all or part of the day) and departmentalized instruction (grade level specialists who teach language arts, math, social studies or science). An interdisciplinary approach is used in many classrooms, which incorporates several subject areas at the same time around a specific theme. A recent focus has been differentiated instruction, which means tailoring the curriculum to better meet the needs of students of all ability levels.
In addition to classroom instruction, subject matter specialists add to the core curriculum in the areas of art, math, media (library), vocal music, physical education, science and technology. Additional curriculum specialists provide instruction in band (5th grade), remedial reading and math, special education, guidance counseling and English Language Learning (ELL). Each learning area is currently aligned with the Minnesota Preparatory Standards. It will be modified, if needed, to meet Graduation Standards that are currently being developed.
Additional academic challenge, support and enrichment opportunities are provided through the gifted/talented program and include things such as Creative Thinking Skills lessons, Young Author's Conference, Mock Trial, Continental Math League and Summer Academy. In addition, students may choose to participate in DestiNation Imagination (formerly Odyssey of the Mind) and Junior Great Books.
