Academics at Kimball Elementary

Reading Workshops

Once implemented, Reading Workshop can quickly become students’ favorite part of the day. Since the format gives students tools for selecting and comprehending literature, students who were once reluctant to read now find themselves with the skills needed to be successful readers. Over the course of the year, students read many books and are encouraged to do as good reader’s do in exploring different genres, authors, and texts. The program emphasizes the interaction between readers and text. Students learn to ask questions, make connections with prior knowledge and previously read texts, and ask questions to clarify faulty comprehension they recognize has occurred. The program includes peer conferences and teacher conferences with students but emphasizes students’ independence and allows them to become successful readers outside of the classroom.

Everyday Mathematics

Everyday Mathematics is a comprehensive Pre-K through 6th grade mathematics curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project and published by McGraw-Hill Education. It is currently being used by about 4.3 million students in over 220,000classrooms.

English Language Learners (ELL)

In 2011-12, 39% of Kimball students are English Language Learners. We value all cultures and strive to provide a highly inclusive environment. The entire Kimball community benefits from our diversity. Our students represent a broad range of languages: Vietnamese, Chinese, Spanish, Somali, Amharic, Oromo, and Tigrinya. Kimball has 3 ELL Teachers and 8 Bilingual Instructional Assistants who support the work of the classroom while guiding English language acquisition. ELL teachers and Instructional Assistants meet regularly with classroom teachers to communicate and collaborate for students? academic growth and success. We take a flexible approach to serving our bilingual students, identifying the best way to provide instruction based on individual needs.

Tutoring Progam

The Tutoring Program at Kimball strives to meet the needs of students in reading and math. We have a wonderful collection of people devoting time and energy to help our students progress academically. We have tutors from Washington Readings Corps and America Reads (a University of Washington work/study program). We also have several additional tutors who are university students. These tutors meet with students during the school day on a one-to-one basis. After school, several Kimball teachers also tutor students in small groups and there is a wonderful collection of friends and family who assist this tutoring. During 2011-12,seventy-five Kimball students benefited from this tutoring! The Tutoring Team is focused on academic success for every student.

Professional Learning Community

Teachers at Kimball frequently meet together by grade level to discuss issues in math and literacy. Ideas, challenges and strategies are also shared.