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About Thoreau

2009-2010 Thoreau PTSA Board Officers

Thoreau Demonstration Academy
7370 E. 71st St. South, Tulsa, OK 74133
(918) 833-9700

padalto@tulsaschools.org

The curriculum at Thoreau Demonstration Academy is implemented through the use of Integrated Thematic Instruction (ITI), a "brain-compatible" teaching model developed by Susan Kovalik http://www.thecenter4learning.com

It is based upon the development and orchestration of one unifying yearlong concept and all its ramifications through which all content and skills are woven. The theme acts as a pattern for organizing ideas, materials, and actions for both teacher and student. There are three basic tenants to the ITI method: brain research, curriculum development, and teaching strategies.

Learning with understanding can not be achieved unless the Lifelong Guidelines are modeled and practiced on a daily basis. These guidelines, which include trustworthiness, truthfulness, active listening, no put-downs, and personal best, permeate the atmosphere at Thoreau. Each teacher strictly adheres to their importance in every aspect of the daily teaching process.

We know that it is important to build a solid foundation and become confident in our research and practices. We invite you to join us in this process that will help our students realize their full potential into becoming critical thinkers who are responsible, creative adults. This model for educating our children will enhance their lives and enable them to lead the way in the future.

The TRIBES program at Thoreau was implemented to create a positive, safe climate in which the students can learn appropriate life skills and the basics of group interaction. See more at http://www.tribes.com

It consists of daily twenty-minute Tribes activities, which are based on the agreements of: mutual respect, attentive listening showing appreciation, no put-downs, and the right to pass. Students are scheduled into multi-age groups consisting of thirteen members and one adult Tribes leader. Students begin each day be participating in a Community Circle where they can freely discuss matters of personal concern and relevance as well as school related issues. This environment allows a close affinity to peers with whom they might not otherwise know. Tribes also includes time for S.U.R.F. (Silent Uninterrupted Reading For Fun) and intramural competition between other Tribal groups.

Tribes has become one of the most successful components of Thoreau. Tribal agreements permeate every aspect of the school day. Students work in cooperative groups and are better able to handle and appreciate the demands of positive group interaction because they have learned to express themselves and their ideas.

This program has effectively bonded a myriad of personalities from every part of our city. It has, without a doubt, provided our students a tool for growth and personal development.

KFOR Channel2 reports on Thoreau's Micro Society program 4-13-09.

Microsociety Components

MicroSociety is a program that enables a child to relate curriculum to real world experiences in a non-threatening environment. Students will collaborate with parents, business people and teachers to create their own miniature societies. The GOVERNMENT and CITIZENSHIP strand will combine social studies curriculum with skills needed to create and operate a democratic government. Citizen rights and responsibilities will be studied along with government processes and procedures. Elections will be held to send delegates to the council as representatives and to elect a president, vice-president, secretary, parliamentarian and treasurer.

The TECHNOLOGY strand is a mixture of technology education and professional use of different types of technology. Basic skills are taught and practiced in the classrooms. Creating and producing business advertisements using the mediums of audio, video or print, producing TV news shows or documentaries or creating and producing original software for students to use in their businesses are some of the ways MicroSociety can be used for real world learning.

The HEART strand integrates activities with community service. Citizens contribute to the welfare of the society by volunteering services during their day off or during time outside of school. The heart strand encompasses the areas of Humanity, Ethics, Aesthetics, Responsibility and Respect and Trust.

The ARTS & HUMANITIES strand combines appreciation of music, art, drama, poetry, writing, drama and cultural heritage with a business to promote the arts. Profit and non-profit celebrations through museums, theater, dance and music recitals are avenues of expression that can be incorporated into the society.

The ECONOMY strand enables students to use accounting, banking, and other clerical skills in an actual business setting. The skills learned will enable them to operate in the free market society created in OZ.

The ACADEMY consists of mini-courses of specific skills needed to operate a successful business or assume employment in a specific field. The academy is on the job training by the facilitator or community professional that gives the students the ability to perform their job. Mini courses in law, banking, marketing, law enforcement, council, chamber will be used to further enhance the students marketable skills. The pre-Micro curriculum (Emerald City Micro - Managing, Investigating, Creating, Running, and Organizing a Business) will be covered during the first three weeks of Micro. At the end of the pre-MMs. Vickicro curriculum, students will participate in the Emerald City Job Fair. Facilitators will set up booths advertising the various positions available in each business. Students will select three jobs and apply for them. Job applications will be submitted to the facilitator and interview notices will be sent to the students. Facilitators will send letters offering positions to students. The students will reply with an acceptance letter and two weeks of job training (academy) will begin. When job training has been completed, OZ will hold a grand opening and Emerald City MicroSociety will officially be open for business.

Principal, Tom Padalino participated in this year's Toy Ride on Sunday, December 14. The motorcycle ride drew a large crowd of bikers who collected toys for the needy.