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Wednesday, December 14, 2016

ULS Parent Book Read, " The Soul of Discipline" by Kim John Payne M.Ed.

As parents we often struggle with what approach to use to "discipline" our children.  We aspire to raise respectful and well behaved adults but we do not want to come down on our children as authoritative tyrants.  "The Soul of Discipline" outlines parenting techniques that meet children at their developmental stage.  This book by Kim John Payne is the current ULS Parent Book Club selection. See the attached summary of this thought provoking book and be inspired to read this practical parenting book.

The Soul Of Discipline


Tuesday, December 6, 2016

We all know it is important to foster independence in our children if we want them to be productive and happy adults, but often times our fast paced lives interfere.  Read this article for some practical advice on how to promote your child to be more independent.

Teaching Kids to Be More Independent


Wednesday, November 30, 2016

What are the 6 + 1 Writing Traits?

The day prior to Thanksgiving Break, a group of recent ULS alumni visited campus to share with our 7th through 12th graders how to best prepare for college.  This is a really powerful tradition because our students can relate to the young adult college students and they genuinely listen to these role models.  One of our recent alumni discussed how well prepared she was to write collegiate level papers.  She felt her writing skills were developed to a high degree from the 6 + 1 Trait process taught at ULS.  So, what is the 6 + 1 Trait process?  Why is it so effective?  Watch the following YouTube video made by a North Carolina school teacher that outlines the effective strategy.

6 + 1 Writing Traits


Tuesday, November 22, 2016

As Thanksgiving Day draws near, let's take a look at how children learn the art of gratitude.  This article offers some very simple steps parents can take to help foster a sense of gratitude in their children.  As the article points out, gratitude and empathy are tightly linked.  As children grow into adults, the more gratitude they feel the happier they tend to be.  In addition, empathy is an excellent skill that is a great indicator of personal success.

Teaching Children to Be Grateful

Thoughts of gratitude from the Lower School Gratitude Wall





Wednesday, November 16, 2016


One of the more notable charactersitics of the University Lake School cuuriculum is how public speaking is interwoven across all academic subject areas.  At ULS, students are expected to present to other students and  teachers on a daily basis.  This expectation starts from the onset of a ULS education in JK3.  The pattern of researching, creating and presenting is a constant in the ULS educational platform.  The depth and sophistication increases as students progress through the grades. The fourth grade Magnum Opus Project, 7th & 8th grade Honors Projects and the Senior Project are important ULS milestones in developing competent and confident public speakers.  Student led assemblies are also a key activity that develops public speaking skills.  Read the article below that concisely outlines why public speaking skills are as important as ever.

The freshman class organized and presented at our all school Founders Celebration.  

The Importance of Public Speaking

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Read these simple yet effective ideas to help your child with homework/study skills. 

Thursday, November 3, 2016

The ULS Preprimary Program and Lower School embrace the Reggio Emilia approach to education. The "Reggio" philosophy starts with the powerful belief that children are competent and capable learners.  Click below to read more about the Reggio Emilia philosophy and I am sure you will see how "Reggio" is woven into the tapestry of ULS.

Beginners Guide to Reggio Emilia


Monday, October 31, 2016

One of the ULS "Branches of the Pine" is character through service.  We believe that providing students with a variety of service opportunities helps them develop into productive and thoughtful citizens. It is our intention that when students graduate from  ULS they have an appreciation for the value of service to others, enthusiasm for civic involvement and live as environmentally responsible citizens.  See the below article to learn more about incorporating service work into education.

Community Service Should be Required in Schools

ULS Interact Service Club packs backpacks for Waukesha County Students in need. 

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Whole Child Development

What does Whole Child Development Mean?  Quite simply, it means nurturing children's natural inclination to learn so that each child's highest and best abilities can flourish.  Walk the campus of University Lake School to see this concept in action on a daily basis.   

 Read the article below to learn more about Whole Child Development.

Whole Child Development Undervalued


Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Student to Teacher Ratio

This article in the Washington Post reiterates what we have known at ULS for a long time.  Students flourish in a learning environment with a low student to teacher ratio.  The relationship between student and teacher is critical in laying the foundation for a love of learning.  A small class size allows teachers to genuinely know and understand the students. It gives them the opportunity to personalize instruction methods to best develop each individual child.

Click on the title below to learn more.

Class Size Matters A Lot Research Shows