About Us
Academics
Jensen Ranch fosters academic excellence by ensuring that all children experience joy in learning. Teachers employ project-based, hands-on approaches to bring subjects to life. Curriculum is designed to facilitate learning for students of all academic levels.
Core Program Highlights:
Literacy — Our teachers provide instruction that
integrates whole language and phonics techniques. Our state approved
curriculum by Houghton Mifflin is used in conjunction with other "best
practices" teaching models integrating readers & writers' workshop
strategies, Write Tools strategies, and explicit teaching models. A
focus is put on teaching strategies (schema) commonly used by "good
readers and writers" in an explicit and meaningful way to our young
readers and writers.
Staying up to date with the most recent research on literacy
instruction and learning, we are in the initial steps to implementing
an early intervention program consistent with the best practices of
Response to Intervention (RtI). The use of universal screening (DIBELS)
and multiple measures informs our instructional decisions. We utilize a
tiered approach to providing intervention for students requiring
additional and targeted support. Progress monitoring is administered to
assess how students respond to the instruction and interventions in
place. At the same time, all students are provided targeted and
literacy rich instruction to promote continuous growth in the area of
reading, writing, and speaking.
Math -- our teachers use the Harcourt curriculum in conjunction with strategies that focus on problem solving. Manipulatives and realia are used to provide our students with real world math problems that give students the opportunity to apply their math skills in a meaningful way.
Science -- with our Scott Foresman science curriculum, students are immersed in engaging science curriculum. Our students learn science "by doing" as they participate in hands-on experiments and experience science in addition to extracting information from text. Students are given access to information in their text as well as a "digital" and "video" path as we trigger multiple modes of information acquisition. Fourth and Fifth grade students are provided a 50 minute block of science instruction weekly by a Science specialist in our state of the art science lab.
Social Studies/History -- students learn Social Studies/History standards through in-class instruction, simulations, digital & video path, as well as text. Social Studies standards are weaved into instruction across the curriculum as students will learn Social Studies standards in their reading and writing instruction.
Physical Education — All K-5 students participate in a variety of activities designed to make physical movement fun and challenging. Our programs enhance self-concept, teach sportsmanship, cooperation and responsibility; are non-threatening and use relevant and age-appropriate curricula.
Library — Students begin a life-long love of reading with regular visits to the library. Story times and companion activities help unlock the world of wonder that awaits them in the world of books.
Art and Music — Grades K-3 receive in-class musical instruction either through Music for Minors (parent docent led), PTA facilitated JAM (Jensen Art & Music), and/or classroom teacher directed musical activities. Our 3rd grade also participate in an annual musical production to be performed in front of our community. Beginning in fourth grade, all Jensen students participate in a weekly instrumental music or vocal music program.
We believe that students exposed to visual and performing arts are more likely to achieve academically. Art is incorporated into classroom instruction on a regular basis. Our teachers receive professional development in the most effective strategies for integrating the arts into their instruction.
Technology Integration -- We believe that our students need to be fluent in the use of technology in today's progressively technological advanced world. Our teachers integrate technology into their classroom instruction and receive continued staff training on the use of technology. Our computer lab and mobile lab (20 notebooks) coupled with our wireless network provide all Jensen students with access to the internet and the appropriate technology to equip them for tomorrow. Our file server and the district's intranet provide our teachers with the ongoing support and collaborative environment to stay up to date in our technology use.
