DOCUMENT RESUME ED 370 678 PS 022 284 AUTHOR Bridge, Connie A.; And Others TITLE Primary Thoughts: Implementing Kentucky's Primary Program. INSTITUTION Kentucky State Dept. of Education, Frankfort. PUB DATE [93] NOTE 264p. PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC11 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Classroom Environment; Classroom Techniques; *Constructivism (Learning); *Educational Change; Grouping (Instructional Purposes); Integrated Curriculum; *Mixed Age Grouping; *Nontraditional Education; Parent Participation; *Primary Education; Program Descriptions; Public Education; State Legislation; Student Evaluation; Teaching Methods IDENTIFIERS Authentic Assessment; Developmentally Appropriate Programs; Kentucky; *Kentucky Education Reform Act 1990; Whole Child Approach ABSTRACT In June 1990, the state of Kentucky passed its innovative Education Reform Act, which totally restructured the finance, governance, and curriculum of its public schools. One of the major provisions of the act was the mandate for Kentucky's primary schools to change from the traditional placement of children of the same age in kindergarten, first, second, and third grades to the placement of youngsters in muIti-age, multi-ability classrooms. The resulting primary program recognizes that children grow and develop as a "whole," not one dimension at a time or at the same rate in each dimension. The instructional practices of the primary program address social, emotional, physical, aesthetic, and cognitive needs. The program flows naturally from preschool programs and exhibits developmentally appropriate practices. The philosophy of the primary program stresses a classroom climate that is non-competitive and encourager_ children to learn from one another as well as from the teachers. The progra:u nurtures the continuing growth of children's knowledge and understanding of themselves and their world in a safe, caring, stimulating environment where the child grows and learning flourishes. This book describes Kentucky's primary program, focusing on the seven critical attributes of the program. Those attributes are:(1) developmentally appropriate educational practices; (2) multi-age and multi-ability classrooms;(3) continuous progress; (4) authentic assessment;(5) qualitative reporting methods; (6) professional teamwork; and (7) positive parent involvement. References are included with each chapter. (TJO) * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * *********************************************************************** co CD PRIMARY V'get)Fi Cm U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office ot Educallonai Researcn ano improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS CENTER (ERIC) %Trus document has been reprOduCed as MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY recenied born the person or organQabon IMPLEMENTINCI Ongrnatmg Minor changes nas,e Peen made to 3rnprone rePrOduCbon guaty \a's-1/4-cavr KENTUCKY'S Pcnnts of new or Obirnons stated .n truS 00Cu merit dO not oeceSsarily represent otf,c,a. OERI pos,Pon OoCy TO THE EDUCATIONW, RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER tERIC).- PRIMARY PROCRAM KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THOMAS C. BOYSEN, COMMISSIONER 2 BEST COPY ANULE PRIMARY 1HOUGH1S: Implementing Kentucky's Piimary Progreun Connie A. Bridge Bever41 A. Reltsma Peter N Walograd Illustrated by: Karen £ Brittain Kentucky Department of Education 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTh The idea for this book was conceived during a conversation with Commissioner Thomas Boysen who WaS concerned about providing support for Kentucky teachers as they implemented the primary program. The leadership ofLois Mams-Rogers, Deputy Commissioner ofLearning SupportServices, has been a vital influence in determining the quality and direction of the primary program. Associate Commissioner for Learning Programs Development, Nawanna Fairchild, provided many helpful suggestions and emotional support along the way. Her knowledge of the primary program and her firm, but gentle, insistence on "getting it right" kept us on track. Several individuals have contributed to the writing of this book. First and foremost, assistant director of the Institute on Education Reform at the University of Kentucky, Beverly Reitsma has had primary responsbility for writing several of the chapters: "Organizing the School," "The Physical Environment," "The Social/Emotional Environment," and "Family Involvement." Peter Wmograd, chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Kentucky, wrote the chapter entitled "Monitoring and Reporting Student Progress." Other professors in the Deprtment of Curriculum and Instruction made substantial contribu- tions to the chapter "Develo; mentally Appropriate Practices." Ron Atwood shared his expertise in science, Alan Zollman in mathematics, and Linda Levstik in social studies. Also the science units referred to in "Integrating the Curriculum" were developed by Ron Atwood and the talented teachers in his Elementary Science Theme Study Institute. I wrote the chapters, "What is the Primary School in Kentucky?" "Integrating the Curriculum, " "Developmentally Appropriate Practices, " and "Making the Change." Paige Carney, Vicki Willis, and Tiffany Markulike, graduate students at the University of Kentucky visited classrooms in every region of the Commonwealth.Their write-ups of their observations and interviews with teachers and principals were invaluable in providing examples of what Kentucky teachers are actually doing as they implement the primary program. Karen Brittain,talented artist and primary teacher at Squires Elementary in Lexington,Kentucky, drew the delightful illustrations for the book. Her ability to enhance both the appearance and the meaning of the text vvas remarkable. Charmaine Ibwell, administrative assistant in the Institute on Education Reform, worked long hours to lay out the text and illustrations in an eye-appealing way that communicated the meaning of the authors. Without her skills at the computer and her patience, the book would never have become a reality. Susan Gooden contributed her sharp eyes and knowledge of writing conventions in the fmal editing of this book. Primary Thoughts Page iii 4 We used many of the ideas and materials from the Primary School Integrated Staff Development Series that the Institute on Education Reform at the University of Kentucky developed for the Kentucky Departnient of Education in 1992. Authors of that series included Connie Bridge, Jacqii Farmer, Cynthia Frey, Kent Mann, Beverly Reitsma, Mary Shake, Deborah Bott Slaton, Jacqueline Vance, Char Williams, and Richard Williams. Most of all, we need to thank the teachers and principals in the schools throughout the state who allowed us to visit in their classrooms and who spent time discussing their challenges, their fni stations, and their remarkable successes. with us. A list of these teachers and schools is included. We hope you find the book useful and infomiative as you continue your pioneering efforts to implement the primary program statewide. Connie Bridge Director, Institute on Education Reform College of Education University of Kentucky Primal-) Thoughts Page i PARTIPWITS) JEAGIERS AND PRINCIPALS Ruthy Adams Sheri Cann Garth Elementary Saffell Street Elementary Georgetown, Kentucky Lawrenceburg, Kentucky Karen Mkins Barbara Claggett Millard Elementary G. C. Burkhead Elementary Sidney Kentucky Elizabethtown, Kentucky Connie Aubrey, Principal Amy Collier Nicholasville Elementary Colony Elementary Nicholasville, Kentucky London, Kentucky Kim Parma Terry Cornett Squires Elementary Morehead Grade Elementary Lexington, Kentucky Morehead, Kentucky NEchelle Bennett Carol Cramer Brookside Elementary Saffell Street Elementary Nicholasville, Kentucky Lawrenceburg, Kentucky NEchelle Bottoms Ruth Daniels Hoggsett Elementary Hearn Elementary Danville, Kentucky Frankfort, Kentucky Karen Brittain Linda Daopolous Squires Elementary Cane Ridge Elementary Lexington, Kentucky Paris, Kentucky Debbie Brown Diana Dattilo Model Laboratory School Campbellsville Elementary Richmond, Kentucky Campbellsville, Kentucky Pam Brown Bev Dean Russell Cave Elementary Picadome Elementary' Lexington, Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky Carla Cain Janice Duncan Caywood Elementary Meadowthorpe Elementary Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky Pnmary Thoughts Pagc v ii Linda Edin 19hme1a Harris Huff Lansdowne Elementary Harrison Elementary Lexington, Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky Sharyl Emberton Judith Johnson Saffell Street Element lry W. ID. Osborne Elementary Lawrenceburg, Kentucky Bevinsville, Kentucky Bonnie Embry Nancy Keten Meadowthorpe Elementxry Glendover Elementary Lexington, Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky Beth Ewert Janet Kappes Lansdowne Elementary Clearfield Elementary Lexington, Kentucky Clearfield, Kentucky John Finch Kam Kidwell Caywood Elementary Glendover Elementary Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky Allison Finley Praia KiottRr Tamarack Elementary Garden Springs Elementary Owensboro, Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky Cynthia Frey Carol Ledford Hoggsett Elementary Lansdowne Elementary Danville, Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky Teresa Gillum Elizabeth Lewis Summit Elementary Wheeler Elementary Ashland, Kentucky Louisville, Kentucky Sharon Griffey Vicki Lewis Stonestreet Elementary Colony Elementary Louisville, Kentucky London, Kentucky Wanda Grimes Linda Mahanna Salem Elementary Hagar Elementary Salem, Kentucky Ashland, Kentucky Pn ma n Thought Page VI John Mann, Principal Wendy Roark James A. Cayshood Southside Elementary Ft.