Watkins Elementary

WATKINS ELEMENTARY CAMPUS: Laying a Foundation for Lifetime Learning

With five classes in each grade from first through fifth, Watkins is a safe, comfortable, and engaging learning environment for 525 students.

INSPIRING LEARNERS
By maintaining a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Watkins is able to help students meet their academic goals while encouraging children’s innate creativity and need for self expression. Almost three times as many Watkins teachers are rated “highly effective” as the DCPS average under the District’s rigorous teacher evaluation system.

Our curriculum is focused on non-fiction writing, critical thinking skills, and conceptual math knowledge, which are supported by resources such as the University of Chicago’s Everyday Mathematics and Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop, based at Columbia University’s Teachers College. Teachers emphasize the application of numeracy and literacy to real-world situations, use multiple methods to teach each skill, and encourage students to explain and discuss their approach to solving problems. Our integrated approach to learning develops well-rounded students who work collaboratively to solve problems and recognize their role as members of a larger community.

READING AND MATH BUDDIES
Capitalizing on our Pre-K through 8th grade learning community, older students partner with younger students as Reading and Math Buddies. These relationships provide younger students with academic support and positive older role models while older students gain a sense of responsibility and commitment to their community

SPECIALS TO ENHANCE ACADEMICS
Students receive instruction each day in one of six special subject areas: Art, Music, Computer, Science, Library, or Physical Education. The specials classes reinforce and enhance the academic curriculum. For example, computer class not only teaches computer skills, but also reinforces literacy and math lessons through computer activities.

Students have daily recess supervised by teachers on a brand-new playground complete with a nature play area and climbing wall. A new football-regulation turf field, basketball courts, and roller/ice rink provides additional space for play.

FOODPRINTS, GARDENS, AND FOOD LAB
The Watkins campus is home to the largest and most beautiful schoolyard garden in DCPS, with 20 themed gardens that support lessons across the curriculum. First, third and fourth graders participate in the innovative FoodPrints classes in which garden activities such as planting, harvesting, and cooking are used to teach concepts in science, math, social studies, physical education, and writing. Watkins boasts a brand-new Food Lab thanks to the generosity of over 470 individual donors who contributed a total of $60,000 to make the dream of a teaching kitchen a reality. Learn more at www.watkinslivingschoolyard.com.

ARTS INTEGRATION IN ACTION
One example of arts integration at Watkins is the Young Playwrights Theater In-School Playwriting Program, which recently received a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from First Lady Michelle Obama. Fourth-grade students explore playwriting, revision, and performance with professional playwrights, actors, directors, and teaching artists.  Students learn the importance of language structure, grammar, spelling, and vocabulary choice as a means of clearly communicating their own thoughts to the world around them.  During a series of standards-based, in-class workshops, students explore the mechanics of language, drama, and self-expression, culminating in the creation of their own original play.

More Information About Watkins

Download the CHCS Brochure, Featuring Watkins (PDF)

Meet the Teachers at Watkins Elementary (Link)

Meet the Administrative Team at Watkins Elementary (Link)

Learn more about the Watkins Gardens (Link to Gardens Website)

Join the Watkins parent listserv by clicking here or sending an e-mail to watkinselementary-owner@yahoogroups.org