Education should be an enjoyable, life-long process versus a race. In First Grade, for example, reading instruction is both explicit and developmental in order to spark student motivation and success. At Journey, students become literate through a ‘writing to reading’ approach that combines phonics and whole language approaches. Our First Grade students routinely do the […]
posted on January 30, 2014 by
Ethics Before Devices!
Four years ago, Journey was one of the first schools in the state to pioneer Digital Media Literacy as a graduation requirement. Instead of prematurely stocking classrooms with expensive smart-boards and other alluring technologies, we decided it was most important to first allocate instructional time and resources to weekly Cyber Civics classes. In this way, […]
posted on January 23, 2014 by
Fractions in Action
Ms. Amanda Simmons is thrilled with the effort and results she’s seeing in her 4th Grade students. For the past few weeks, the students have been immersed in a Fractions Block. Ms. Simmons first led her students through a progression of tactile and sensory experiences to make math fun and relevant (food, paper, sculpting, etc.). […]
posted on December 12, 2013 by
Encountering Jack Frost
Jack Frost has paid a visit to our gardens as winter approaches, and the students are experiencing first hand what Jack Frost does to plants and how they might help. The 6th grade students are especially enjoying their time in the garden on Wednesday mornings. They complete tasks previously performed by volunteers. In fact, Master […]
posted on November 15, 2013 by
iPads not out of sync at this Waldorf school
Response to LA Times article entitled: “iPad use out of sync with L.A. charter school’s philosophy” (November 14, 2013) As the Executive Director of Journey School, the only public Waldorf Charter School south of Los Angeles, I applaud Ocean Charter’s attempt to integrate iPads into the classroom. The ethical and critical thinking capacities, that are […]
posted on November 13, 2013 by
8th Graders Field Trip to Experience American Revolution Living History at Riley’s Farm
8th grade students traveled to Oak Glen to learn about the American Revolution. Activities included: blacksmith shop, the dreaded “taxes” related interactive activities, playing old games, weaving, grinding flour and making biscuits because of the quartering act, secretly signing up to fight for freedom using a real quill, being brought to trial for smuggling and […]
posted on October 27, 2013 by
8th Annual Journey School Harvest Faire
Only School-Sponsored Family Artisan Fair in Orange County As the perfect precursor to the Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival’s Annual Winter Fantasy, Journey School’s 8th Annual Harvest Faire rivals Etsy-quality craft-making and includes family-friendly booths with homemade specialty food items, heirloom toys, books and natural art supplies. Orange County parents, children, artists, makers-in-the-making and Pinterest-afficionados are […]
