At Park, teachers use a variety of curricular materials to support students in meeting the State standards. Our curriculum begins with the State Adopted Programs in Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies, and is supplemented and enriched according to student needs. The details of these standards can be reviewed on the District web site.

Teachers are the key to high levels of learning. Fortunately, Mill Valley School District is dedicated to hiring the very best teachers to teach our children. For highlights and specifics on our programs, continue with a link below:

• Reading
• Writing
• Math
• Science
• Social Studies
• Technology
• Physical Education

Highlights of our Reading Program

• Children are taught to read using a balanced approach that integrates all aspects of the reading process.
• Teachers use “best practices” such as mini-lessons, shared reading, guided reading, independent reading with conferring, book clubs, book talks and comprehension strategy instruction.
• Teachers encourage students’ love for reading by making reading meaningful and fun.
• Children learn that reading is thinking and that all good readers use strategies.
• Our reading program is based on the work of professional educators such as Ken and Yetta Goodman, Lucy Calkins, Marie Clay, Regie Routman, Fountas & Pinnell, Ellin Oliver Keene and others.

Please continue here for more information on the District’s Reading and Writing Curriculum Standards.

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Highlights of our Writing Program

• Students learn both the conventions and craft of writing through meaningful and relevant writing projects.
• Children are encouraged to write for many different purposes and in a variety of genres: stories, memoir, poetry, essays, research projects, etc.
• Teachers use “best practices” such as mini-lessons, shared writing, mentor pieces, guided writing, independent writing with conferring, author studies and genre studies.
• Our Writing program is based on the work of professional educators such as Lucy Calkins, Donald Graves, Shelley Harwayne, Nancie Atwell, Katie Wood Ray, and others.

Please continue here for more information on the District’s Reading and Writing Curriculum Standards.

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Highlights of our Mathematics Program

• Children are taught to become mathematicians who solve a variety of problems flexibly and with confidence.
• Children learn computation by exploring big ideas prior to learning the traditional algorithm.
• Teachers engage children in a variety of math games to foster and deepen understanding of math concepts and skills.
• Teachers use “best practices” such as mini-lessons, Math Congress, math centers and a variety of real world projects.
• Our Math program is based on the work of professional educators such as Marilyn Burns, Cathy Fosnot, TERC, and others.

Please continue here for more information on the District’s Math Curriculum Standards.

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Highlights of our Science Program

• Teachers focus on the cycle of inquiry and the scientific method to help children to understand and apply scientific concepts and skills.
• Teachers use FOSS Kits developed by Lawrence Hall of Science, U.C. Berkeley, to bring hands-on units of study to the classroom.
• Teachers collaborate with local environmental organizations such as STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring the Watershed) and PROB (Point Reyes Bird Observatory).
• Teachers and students utilize our school garden as a real-life laboratory.
• Students receive additional instruction from Science teacher Camilla Barry.

Please continue here for more information on the District’s Science Curriculum Standards.

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Highlights of our Social Studies Program

• Teachers use project-based learning to engage and motivate students.
• Concepts in history are grounded in and connected to students’ current experience.
• Reading and Writing are integrated throughout the Social Studies Program.
• Students attend various field trips in the area.
• Students are engaged in re-enactments of particular historical events such as Immigration to Ellis Island, A Colonial Fair, Famous Californians, etc.

Please continue here for more information on the District’s Social Studies Curriculum Standards.

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Highlights of our Technology Program

• Teachers use a variety of technology programs and tools to enhance the curriculum.
• Each teacher has a laptop for planning, teaching lessons, assessing and communicating with parents.
• There are currently two mobile laptop carts with 20-30 laptops. Teachers can check these carts out and provide their classes with laptops for research and projects.
• Our Librarian integrates the use of the technology, creating a robust Library/Media program.

Please continue here for more information on the District’s Technology Curriculum Standards.

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Highlights of our Physical Education Program

• The P.E. program’s long-term goal is to instill in every student a life long joy of physical activity.
• Character Education and team building are inter-related and taught year-round.
• The Curriculum is based on State Physical Education Standards and includes both team sports and non-traditional topics, such as dance and orienteering.
• Students receive 30 minutes of P.E. each day.

Please continue here for more information on the District’s Physical Education Curriculum Standards.

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