Curriculum

As a learner-centered school, students at Bloom gain an increasing amount of agency over their own learning paths as they grow. While the youngest students will learn naturally through both unstructured and guided play, older children will take part in planning their personal learning goals and choosing activities to take part in each day to move towards those goals.

Activity choices can include:

• hands-on learning activities and games

• participation in small-group workshop-style activities

• collaborating on a project with others

• working independently using books, workbooks, or technology.

Wonder

Our focus at Bloom is on facilitating wonder in the hearts and minds of learners. When we wonder, we invite the powerful feelings of awe and respect. These qualities lend themselves to appreciation and a sense of responsibility.

When learners are encouraged to wonder about what interests them in this amazing world we live in, learning is easy and exciting.

At Bloom, we intentionally spark wonder through learner-centered discussion around personal interests, questions, goals and dreams. We have a variety of guest speakers, experiments, thought-provoking inquiry, puzzles, stories, challenges, and inspiring use of technology and other learning materials - all based around what is currently most meaningful to our learners.

Learners will have the space and freedom to open and expand - to become curious and practice flexible thinking.

This opening allows the creative juices to flow into the rest of the day’s activities and is the source of intrinsic motivation.

After lunch and unstructured play with friends outdoors and in nature, learners will follow their curiosity towards understanding, as they explore the day’s topics more deeply.

As children explore their ideas, they naturally expand their skills in the foundational areas of language arts and mathematics, as well as the scientific method and critical thinking. Bloom staff are always available to support movement to higher personal skill levels.

Through Project-Based-Learning (PBL), learners will follow a set process to research, create, demonstrate, and share their knowledge. The ways this can occur are endless - making a video, writing a story, acting it out, creating art, engineering new gadgets, building public awareness, or engaging in service to others - just to name a few examples.

PBL is inherently multi-disciplinary and engages high cognitive levels. Projects give the opportunity for the deep learning children crave.

Emphasis is on the process:

• defining the problem

• doing research

• identifying resources

• collaborating and communicating with others

• overcoming challenges and failures

• presenting and communicating

• reflecting and revising.

These are the true skills our children will need in the future.

Project Learning is interesting, challenging, and exciting. We retain what we learn, because in-depth work based on interests allows for increased comprehension and skill development. PBL is intrinsically motivating and brings joy and wonder to the classroom.

Read about current PBL research findings here.

Learners who utilize PBL are empowered and confident changemakers. They become acutely aware of their environment and community. They learn effective communication, problem solving skills, and how to collaborate to reach a goal. Helping others, engaging in the creative process, and demonstrating new knowledge is gratifying and creates a motivating sense of pride and accomplishment.

Check out the video Bloom kids made for their Lemonade Stand Project in June 2021 here!

It is through our focus on wonder that Bloom frames each day - igniting the spark of curiosity so together we can explore our world and ourselves. Integrated throughout each day, foundational skills in reading, writing, math, science, and social/emotional mastery are applied in all Seven Domains to complete the holistic Bloom experience.

“I'm very happy with my decision to choose Bloom. Beth and Kristen create such a beautiful supportive environment. The kids are respected and treated with kindness and are honored for their uniqueness. I've loved the addition of the music and dance classes, and the project fair was a big success!”

-A Bloom Parent

In addition to the following core areas, children at Bloom will have daily opportunities for movement, nature, unstructured play, creative art and music, and restorative practices like contemplation and reflection.

Language Arts

The younger students at Bloom learn to read with instruction in UFLI Science of Reading curriculum. Reading skills build naturally as each child becomes developmentally ready. As children follow their personal interests, they’re immersed in a variety of reading opportunities that build the foundation for a lifelong love of reading. Older learners at Bloom have the opportunity to participate in ongoing book clubs each week.

Bloom uses the Structured Writer’s Workshop model based on the work at Columbia University to teach and practice the 6 super writing skills using a student-centered framework. Students learn to write best when they write frequently, for extended periods of time, on topics of their own choosing. This method leads one through the stages of planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing writing. Throughout the process students explore their unique voice as they practice writing for different purposes and audiences.

Math

With a constructivist and developmentally-based approach to mathematics, students at Bloom develop their own meaning and methods at their own pace, as Learning Guides employ specific types of questioning in small groups to draw out concept comprehension. Learners have choices that are engaging and hands-on, using real-life applications and a wide range of manipulatives to master concepts. Curriculum may include: Miquon Math, DK Math, Zearn, or Khan Academy. The goal is to build fundamental skills, encourage mathematical thinking and deep understanding, and spark enthusiasm for learning.

Science + Sustainability

Children naturally inquire into how things work. At Bloom, we dive deep into topics based on our interests. In addition, Learning Guides introduce topics, questions, problems, or ideas and assist in the exploration towards understanding with critical thinking, information literacy, and the scientific method. Knowledge is gained with the goals of designing possible solutions to current problems and creating a sustainable human society.

Social Sciences

At Bloom, developing reflective skills and emotional mastery is a daily practice. With self-understanding comes the ability to learn about others. Students first learn about themselves, then expand outward to family and friends, the local community, the country, and other communities around the world. We learn about ourselves and each other through the lens of compassion and connection.

Current events and the necessity for social justice are tied to the study of past events and instances of conflict and cooperation. Bloom uses The Social Justice Standards as a framework for anti-bias education. Included in social studies: world history, heritage, economics, and geography through the study of stories, customs, languages, and the arts.

“I like math at Bloom. I also like going to the park and doing language arts outside. I also like centering circle and closing circle.”

-Bloom Member, age 9

Learning Guides

Bloom staff are “Learning Guides” who assist kids to stay with their chosen activity or take a break when needed; to help problem solve, troubleshoot, and brainstorm; to help mediate conflict and work with emotions; to challenge when necessary and nurture when needed. Learning Guides carefully observe each child and thoughtfully assist them in following their customized learning path towards their individual learning goals.

Learning Guides are available daily for verbal updates, and at conferences where parents are also provided written reports on their child’s progress and readiness for new challenges.

“Bloom is so peaceful and I know he picks up on that vibe when he’s there. Beth and Kristen are both so kind and calm so I imagine he will learn by the examples they set.”

-A Bloom Parent

Transition