benchmarks
3RD GRADE
Language Arts
What we do:
How we do it:
Students are immersed in materials that are at their independent reading level and are supported with a balance of whole-group, small-group and individualized instruction. They are exposed to a variety of genres, comprehension strategies, and decoding skills. During writing instruction, teachers use the Jane Schaffer program to help students organize their ideas and become more proficient writers. Teachers introduce high-frequency words, common spelling patterns, and word solving strategies students practice that they complete during independent work throughout the day.
Math
What we do:
How we do it:
Our curriculum blends problem-solving and skill building with a variety of teaching strategies and objectives. Combining whole group, small group and independent activities, students are supported as they develop mathematical thinking through exploration with manipulatives, testing and reasoning.
Science
What we do:
How we do it:
Students plan and conduct hands-on investigations, employ tools and techniques to gather data, and use data to construct reasonable explanations. They construct an understanding of science concepts through their own investigations and analyses, using laboratory equipment, resource materials, and interactive technology.
Social Studies
What we do:
How we do it:
Teachers employ simulations and visual thinking strategies to engage students. Integrated reading and writing assignments encourage critical thinking about the content matter. Students are able to select and use appropriate resources to answer questions, draw a conclusion about the main idea and supporting details and synthesize information through note-taking strategies. Whole and small group discussions, project based learning, hands-on investigations and field trips encourage deeper connections.
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4TH GRADE
Language Arts
What we do:
How we do it:
Students are immersed in materials that are at their independent reading level and are supported with a balance of whole-group, small-group and individualized instruction. They are exposed to a variety of genres, comprehension strategies, and decoding skills. During writing instruction, teachers use the Jane Schaffer program to help students organize their ideas and become proficient writers. Teachers introduce high-frequency words, common spelling patterns, and word solving strategies students practice that they complete during independent work throughout the day. Differentiated instruction allows students to retain, internalize, and transfer valuable knowledge for improved results in all areas of literacy.
Math
What we do:
How we do it:
Our curriculum blends problem-solving and skill building with a variety of teaching strategies and objectives. Combining whole group, small group and independent activities, students are supported as they develop mathematical thinking through exploration, testing and reasoning.
Science
What we do:
How we do it:
Through lab investigations, hands-on experiments, collaborative projects, and the use of science notebooks students are engaged in learning about various topics introduced throughout the year.
Social Studies
What we do:
How we do it:
Teachers employ simulations and visual thinking strategies to engage students. Integrated reading and writing assignments encourage critical thinking about the content matter. Students are able to select and use appropriate resources to answer questions, draw a conclusion about the main idea and supporting details and synthesize information through note-taking strategies. Whole and small group discussions, project based learning, hands-on investigations and field trips encourage deeper connections.
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5TH GRADE
Language Arts
What we do:
How we do it:
Students are immersed in materials that are at their independent reading level and are supported with a balance of whole-group, small-group and individualized instruction. They are exposed to a variety of genres, comprehension strategies, and vocabulary building skills. Individual reflection, research, and writing, including journals is scaffolded through the Jane Schaffer writing program. Differentiated instruction allows students to retain, internalize, and transfer valuable knowledge for improved results in all areas of literacy. Starting mid-year, nightly homework reinforces language arts skills introduced during the day.
Math
What we do:
How we do it:
Our curriculum blends problem-solving and skill building with a variety of teaching strategies and objectives. Combining whole group, small group and independent activities, students are supported as they develop mathematical thinking through exploration with manipulatives, testing and reasoning. Starting mid-year, nightly homework reinforces concepts and skills taught during the day.
Science
What we do:
How we do it:
Through scientific inquiry, laboratory investigation, shared reading and discussions, students explore topics independently and collaboratively. They practice scientific annotation and research skills and present multimedia projects to demonstrate learning.
Social Studies
What we do:
How we do it:
Students learn through multi-paragraph writing projects, whole class and small group discussions, multimedia projects and presentations, and reading from various primary and secondary sources. Individual reflection, research, and writing as well as collaborative projects and activities demonstrate understanding of the content matter.