Student-Parent Handbook
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Elementary
Curriculum
The Spalding
Method
This program is a
comprehensive “
Writing Road to Reading ” program. It consists of phonemic
awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and
literary appreciation. Students begin in the early stages
learning the phonograms that will help them learn how to
read. They make the connection between reading and writing
by putting their spelling words into a notebook. They then
read the words for reading and for spelling. This helps the
student’s transition from phonics to reading with fluency
and comprehension. The word list used in this program is the
Ayres list of the most frequent words in the English
language in the order of frequency. This helps the students
build a sight word vocabulary that will enable them to read
with more fluency and understanding as well. As the students
build their vocabulary, they begin focusing on comprehension
skills through literary appreciation, identifying text
structures and learning five mental actions to comprehend
what they hear and read. Through The Spalding Method,
students read quality literature, build vocabulary, learn
comprehension strategies and incorporate writing techniques
using the vocabulary/spelling words.
Everyday
Mathematics
Everyday
Mathematics
is a comprehensive research-based math program which spirals
throughout the grades levels beginning in kindergarten and
ending in Sixth grade. In order for our students to measure
up to the ever-increasing demand for mathematics competence
and problem-solving abilities, the way mathematics is taught
had to change. Everyday Mathematics makes these
changes by introducing students to all the major
mathematical content domains—number sense, algebra,
measurement, geometry, data analysis and
probability—beginning in kindergarten. The program helps
teachers move beyond basic arithmetic and nurture
higher-order and critical-thinking skills in their students,
using everyday, real-world problems and situation—while also
building and maintaining basic skills, including automatic
fact recall.
Science
Delta Science Modules are
standards-based science kits. They engage students in
hands-on investigations, allowing students to master basic
science concepts while developing key process and critical
thinking skills. Each grade level studies concepts in the
Life, Earth and Physical categories. The scientific method
is reinforced throughout the units of study.
Social Studies
With a focus on history and
geography, reading skills, and critical thinking,
Houghton Mifflin Social Studies textbook encourages
students to explore the past, present, and future, while
developing an appreciation of our diverse world. Featuring
the following:
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In-depth
explorations that integrate strands such as history and
geography.
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Reading and
lesson support to help students learn important
concepts.
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A variety of
ancillaries, from literature to technology, to meet
diverse needs.
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Assessment
options to evaluate student progress.
The use of simulations is an
important part of the Social Studies curriculum in Second
through Sixth grades. The purpose of these units is to raise
the level of thinking of the children. According to Bloom’s
Taxonomy, there are six levels of thinking, which are
knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis,
and evaluation. These units are designed to take the
children from the knowledge level, where the children
discover, observe, and recall information, up to the
evaluation level, where they judge, justify, and make
conclusions. Using only textbooks and graphic organizers
would maintain the children in between the knowledge and
analysis levels of thinking, which are low to medium
levels. Research tells us those children that only work in
the lower levels lose 60% of the information they learned in
6 months or less. Therefore, based on our school’s Mission
Statement, we want to have the students work in the highest
academic level possible to encourage them to become life
long learners.
Physical Education
Physical Education class is
held daily for students in grades Pre-k through 6th
grades. A healthy body is an important concept for students
to learn, understand, and practice. Teamwork, exercise, and
various strength and coordination skills are the focus of
the physical education curriculum. Students also maintain a
sense of fun while they are exercising and staying healthy.
Spanish
Learning a second language is
becoming more necessary as time goes on. Children learn a
second language best at a young age. At St. James, a Spanish
class is held once a week during the P.E. time. Vocabulary
and conversation is the focus at the elementary level.
Students receive an effort grade in Spanish class at the
elementary level.
Music
Music class is held once a
week for grades 1-5. Students learn: music appreciation, to
read music, rhythm, to sing, playing instruments, and are
given opportunities to perform as an individual as well as a
group in various musical setting. Performances are held
throughout the year in front of the student body, parents,
and community members.
Art
Art classes are held once a
week for grades K-5. Students learn about various artists
and their techniques. Various media are studied throughout
the year, including clay, acrylics, watercolor, paper making
and drawing. Student work is displayed throughout the school
year.
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