Curriculum
The classroom is where it all comes together for a student. At Ludlow-Taylor we take our early morning professional-development sessions very seriously. While our many paraprofessionals watch over our students as they eat breakfast, professional staff come together to refine instructional practice, reflect on our practices, explore the rigorous DCPS standards-based curriculum, learn new and effective approaches to teaching and learning, discuss concepts like rigor and differentiation, and analyze student data to monitor and ensure the progress of our students.
Partnership with The Filmore School
To ensure an enriching experience at Ludlow-Taylor we partner with Fillmore Arts Center. These Fillmore artists come to us every Tuesday and Thursday, and all of our children participate in Dance and Movement, Drama, Music and Art. The Fillmore teachers work with Ludlow-Taylor students for two hours at a time. By the end of the year, students will have taken classes in all areas. All Fillmore teachers are fully certified in their disciplines, and they all perform or exhibit both locally and regionally.
Spanish
Ludlow-Taylor is excited to have a full-time Spanish teacher and to include Spanish language classes in its arts integration program. Ms. Tanya Murray heads up the Spanish language program and believes in the importance of exposing children to a second language early in their lives. Ms. Murray has taught in Guatamala, Brazil, and Mexico, in addition to the United States.
Every week, the Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 students meet with Ms. Murray for 30 minutes twice a week. Older students meet with her for 45 minutes once a week. The Spanish language program is an integral part of the arts integration emphasis at Ludlow-Taylor. Ms. Murray starts off every class with a song and a story in Spanish. Then, they might act out the story in a unique dramatization. Ms. Murray is also introducing the children to Hispanic-themed art and music. Every week, children review vocabulary they have learned in the previous class and are introduced to five or ten new words, based on a theme for the month. Themes include Myself, Celebrations, Geography, Our Environment, and Favorite Things.
Arts Integration Catalyst School
Ludlow-Taylor staff and parents are taking a journey into new and exciting arts-focused approaches to learning. We believe that children have varied learning styles, and we are dedicated to figuring out what turns our students on. For that reason, we submitted a proposal to become an Arts Integration Catalyst School, and we were one of a few schools in DC selected. Additionally, we are developing the arts-based Reggio Emilia program for our youngest students.
When you enter our school, you will see the multiple intelligences posted on our bulletin board. Similarly, Reggio Emilia talks about the 100 languages of learning. When educators understand and plan considering the different ways that children experience the world and their different learning styles, classrooms come alive. Imagination Quest is training our staff under the leadership of Gail Humphries, a professor at American University, and her staff includes Imani, our resident artist.
Through Arts Integration, rigorous instructional practices, development of our character-education program and a focus on how children learn — we will accomplish our goal that all Ludlow-Taylor students become motivated lifelong learners.
After Care
The After Care Program is headed by Ms. Robinson, rachelle.etienne-robinson@dc.gov. After school programming is provided from 3:15 PM to 6:30 PM. It is part of the DCPS DC One After School program, where students participate in an academic Power Hour as well as arts and recreation activities. Fees are on a sliding scale based on free or reduced lunch status with a maximum daily cost of $5. The After School Program offers a variety of options such as Girl Scouts for grades K-5, Joy of Motion Dance for grades 2-5, Field of Dreams for grades 2-5, and Pom Pom/Band club for grades K-5.
Each day from 3:15 PM - 4 PM, all students who participate in After Care walk with their teachers/aides to the multi-purpose room/cafeteria for snack time. After snack time, from 4 PM - 6:30 PM students are escorted to classrooms to begin Power Hour (homework assistance/academic enrichment) or to the playground, weather permitting. From time to time, presenters are invited to come to the school to introduce Ludlow-Taylor students to new ideas and experiences. Students in 1st through 5th grades also have dedicated time to complete homework and receive tutoring. On Fridays, students enjoy "movie day" and/or games to help wind down from their busy week.