ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS CURRICULUM
The elementary schools curriculum is divided into nine areas. Core subject areas include language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and health. These subjects are instructed by the regular classroom teachers on a daily basis. Related arts areas, including art, physical education, music, and instructional media (library), are offered on a weekly basis and are instructed by teachers certified in each specialized academic area.
LANGUAGE ARTS - The language arts program is organized around a strong reading- writing connection. Instruction includes phonics, strategy/skills development, spelling, handwriting, and analytical writing traits. A rich assortment of children's literature along with anthology or core literature supports the teaching of language skills including speaking and listening. The result is an integrated, literature-based language arts program that leads to a natural development of communication skills.
MATHEMATICS - The study of mathematics develops the student's ability to calculate, apply concepts, and solve problems. Children are taught to value math and communicate its concepts. Sound thought processes and problem solving skills are developed leading to self-reliance in the student's mathematical ability. Technology, including the use of calculators and computers, is an integral part of this program.
SCIENCE (link to individual course curriculum) - The science program is designed to include hands-on, process-oriented experiences, which emphasize discovery through observing, communicating, classifying, predicting, measuring, and verifying. The curriculum is divided into three areas and ten strands as follows:
EARTH- Ocean, Geology, Universe, Weather
PHYSICAL- Chemistry/Matter, Physical Forces, Motion/Force/Work
LIFE- Animals, Plants, Human Body
Demonstrations, experiments, the use of technology, and on-site visits are all part of an active and involved instructional program.
SOCIAL STUDIES - Students will develop civic responsibility as well as an appreciation and understanding of basic human needs, cultural diversity, and an interdependence of the world community. The program is based on history as the unifying discipline and will include designated strands of geography, people, economics, contemporary issues, and political science. Critical thinking skills will be developed along with problem-solving techniques designed to help students resolve conflict.
HEALTH (link to individual course curriculum) - Health instruction is designed to give students an opportunity to develop positive health attitudes and practices which enable them to make intelligent decisions about their bodies and environment. Units in nutrition, safety, body systems, and communicable diseases are offered along with drug education and sex education programs.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION (link to individual course curriculum) - Students will participate in a variety of skills, games, and activities designed to develop an understanding of basic motor skills and increase their physical proficiency. An awareness of the importance of physical fitness through lifelong activities will be developed as well. Students will gain a sense of sportsmanship and leadership.
ART - Elementary art incorporates the content and skills of four disciplines: art history, production, aesthetics, and criticism. Experiences are provided in a variety of media, both two and three-dimensional. Students develop an understanding of different cultural, social, and ethnic traditions. On a personal level, students are able to express themselves as creative individuals. They also learn to perceive, interpret, and value art.
MUSIC - Elementary students are taught the basic elements of music including notation, rhythm, melody, and vocabulary. They also respond to music, sing, and play instruments to expand their knowledge and music appreciation. Instrumental music instruction is offered beginning in grade 4 in the areas of strings, percussion, brass, and woodwinds. Students in the upper elementary grades may participate in band, orchestra, chorus, and other vocal and instrumental ensembles.
INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA - Each school has a library, which provides rich resources for the development of an appreciation of good literature. The library program supports the entire elementary curriculum through the development of information retrieval skills. Resources are organized through an electronic catalog system connected to each classroom. Electronic encyclopedias and Internet connections provide further resources for teachers and students alike.
All areas of the curriculum are served and supported by educational technology. This support ranges from hand held calculators to the involvement of the electronic card catalog in all libraries. An integrated learning system consisting of five student computer workstations in each classroom connected to a central building-wide fileserver is utilized in all grades 1-5 classrooms, along with a bank of stand-alone computers in kindergarten classrooms. These computers are used as part of the daily ongoing instructional program. Internet connections are available in classrooms and libraries. Multimedia stations expand the use of laser discs and CD's.