The
School Curriculum:
5. PRIMARY LEVEL CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
5.1. Language Arts
5.2. English
5.3. Mathematics
5.4. Social Studies
5.5. Sciences
5.6. Health
5.7. Life Skills
5.8. Library/Study Skills
5.9. Technology
5.10. Art
5.11. Music
5.12. Integrated Creative Expectations
5.13. Physical Education
5.1.
Language Arts
Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, and Spelling
and Language Skills are perceived to be integrated and taught simultaneously.
5.1.1. Reading
Decode/comprehend print using a variety of strategies
to extract meaning
· Recognize different types of reading material/genre
· Identify the author's purpose
· Identify the cause/effect relationships
· Identify problem/solution
· Identify character traits and goals
· Draw conclusions and make inferences
· Formulate a summary
· Develop reading strategies to respond to literature in a variety
of ways to foster and nurture a love of reading
5.1.2. Writing
· Write for a variety of purposes in order to
communicate effectively
· Become familiar with writing process
· Able to use writing to express feelings and thoughts
· Respond to reading through writing
· Write to a specific purpose
· Identify sentences as complete thoughts
· Explore various writing genres
5.1.3. Listening
To recall specific information from oral presentations
· To follow directions
· Use listening skills as a tool for effective communication
and comprehension to establish meaning
5.1.4. Speaking
Present ideas orally
· Present descriptions of personal experiences
· Present ideas in an organized fashion to an audience
· Take part in discussions
· Ask questions to build understanding and interpretations
5.2.
English
5.2.1. Mechanics of Language
Be familiar with, and use, the conventions/mechanics
of language
· Grammar
· Parts of speech
· Subject/verb/agreement
· Conjugation
· Types of sentences and structure
· Vowels, consonants, diphthongs, digraphs as applied to spelling
rules
· Homonyms, synonyms, antonyms
· Recognize sentence fragments, and run-on sentences
5.2.2. Spelling
Develop phonetic and structural generalizations to be
used in spelling
· Identify and spell irregularly spelled words
· Identify and spell commonly used words
· Include words currently in their reading material
· Include high interest words
5.2.3. Learning Activities
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Book Buddies
· Guest readers
· Listening centers
· Literature circles
· Show-n-tell
· Journals
· Writing centers
· Writing conferences
· Writer's workshops
· Peer and adult editing
· Discussion groups
· Debate teams
· Field trips
· HELP
· MASH
5.2.4. Assessment Strategies
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Teacher-designed tests
· HELP
· MASH
· Journals
· Running records
· Checklists
· Anecdotal records
· Staff observations
· Standardized tests as appropriate
5.3.
Mathematics
Math Cover Sheet
K- Math Curriculum
1st - Math Curriculum
2nd- Math Curriculum
3rd- Math Curriculum
4th- Math Curriculum
5th- Math Curriculum
6th- Math Curriculum
5.3.1. Concepts and Principles
Understand and apply mathematical concepts and principles
· Understand and recognize numbers, number systems,
words, objectives, and graphics
· Compare numbers using symbols for greater than/less than
· Add and subtract numbers up to and including four-digit numbers
with regrouping
· Know multiplication facts 0-9
· Compute, measure, estimate and use reasoning skills to solve
practical problems
· Use calculator, computers and a variety of manipulatives appropriately
· Interpret information and solve problems derived from charts,
tables, and graphs
· Use fractions to express portions of figures
· Identify and classify two and three dimensional shapes
· Solve practical problems with time and money and apply concepts
to real world experiences
· Tell time to the nearest minute
· Recognize and read amounts of money
· Write sums or differences with amounts of money
· Measure length, weight, and liquid
· Demonstrate mathematical practices and processes used to solve
problems orally and with the use of manipulatives
5.3.2. Learning Activities
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Learning centers
· Use of manipulatives
· Computer tasks/problem-solving programs
· Journals
· Field trips
· Student "stores" and other application models
· HELP
· MASH
5.3.3. Assessment Strategies
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Teacher-designed tests/projects
· Checklists
· Journals
· Portfolio assessments
· Observations
· Anecdotal records
· HELP
· MASH
· Standardized testing as appropriate
5.4.
Social Studies
5.4.1. History
Understand major events and individuals in the historical
development of the US and other nations
· Explore cultures
· Develop a knowledge of communities' growth, history, and reason
for existence
5.4.2. Geography
· Identify a globe, directions, continents, and
oceans
· Introduce and develop map skills and the use of time lines
5.4.3. Civics
· Gain an understanding of our elective form
of government and need for laws
· Gain an understanding of forms of government other than our
own
5.4.4. Learning Activities
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Resource persons
· Individual/group interviews
· Computer/Internet exploration
· Pen Pals
· Special projects
· Field trips
· Incidental learning experiences
· Filmstrips/video
· Cultural exchanges
· Simulations
· HELP
· MASH
5.4.5. Assessment Strategies
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Special projects
· Essays
· Staff observations
· Portfolios
· Teacher-designed tests
· Standardized tests as appropriate
· HELP
· MASH
5.5. Sciences
Understand basic science concepts and principles related
to the life, physical, and earth sciences as developmentally appropriate;
Begin to apply the scientific method/approach for inquiry; Understanding
and use information related to preserving and conserving the environment.
5.5.1. Life Science
· Learn the classifications of plants that have
flowers, cones, or are without seeds
· Identify the traits and classifications of animals with and
without backbones
· Develop an understanding of the life cycle of animals as well
as habitats for plants and animals
· Explore impact of humans on environment
5.5.2. Physical Science
· Learn how to measure length, mass, volume,
and temperature
· Become familiar with force and machines such as the lever,
wheel and axle, inclined plane and pulley
· Study sound and light and how each travels
· Beginning knowledge of gravity, energy, and changes in physical
states (solids, liquids, gasses)
5.5.3. Earth Science
· Study and exploration of the moon and its relationship
to the earth
· Earth and it resources (including conservation and preservation)
· Measuring weather as it relates to air movement
5.5.4. Learning Activities
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Raise living organisms
· Group/individual science projects
· Experiments
· Observations/data collections
· Resource Persons
· Special Projects
· Field Trips
· HELP
· MASH
· Filmstrips/videos
5.5.5. Assessment Strategies
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Simulations
· Individual/group projects
· Essays
· Journals
· Lab reports/data samples
· Staff observations
· Peer evaluation/exchanges
· Checklists
· Teacher-designed tests
· Standardized test as appropriate
5.6.
Health
5.6.1. Healthy Practices
Recognize healthy practices/lifestyles
· Basic human needs
· Parts
· Functions
· Hygiene
5.6.2. Unhealthy Practices
Develop a basic understanding and recognition of unhealthy
practices
· Poor nutrition
· Use/abuse of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
· Stress
5.6.3. Learning Activities
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Field trips
· Resource persons
· Filmstrips/videos
· HELP
· MASH
5.6.4. Assessment Strategies
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Project evaluations
· Essays/research
· Staff observations
· Participation in discussions
· Portfolios
· Teacher-designed tests
· Standardized tests as appropriate
· HELP
· MASH
5.7.
Life Skills
5.7.1. Skill Development
· Develop an understanding of self and others
through individual and group experiences (interpersonal and intrapersonal
skills)
· Learn life skills necessary for expression and communication
of feelings, decision making, problem solving, peer/adult relations
and self esteem
· Learn study skills necessary to set realistic academic and
personal goals
· Conflict resolution as a basic way to identify problems and
possible solutions
5.7.2. Learning Activities
This may be an integrated aspect of the curriculum in
which these learning expectations are embedded in each component. If
viewed as a "core" subject, activities would include classroom
"instruction" in which staff facilitates discussions and practical
problem-solving based on teacher or student generated scenarios, role-playing
to model positive and negative effects of behaviors, debates for exploring
varying perspectives, and discrete differences between fact/opinions.
Participation in MASH which encourages responsibility and cooperation
building through participation in school and community projects is vital
in achieving the learning expectations.
5.7.3. Assessment Strategies
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Individual and group projects
· Essays
· Presentations
· Participation in learning events/discussions
· Peer evaluation
· Teacher observations
· MASH
5.8.
Library/Study Skills
5.8.1. Skill Development
Develop and apply good library and study skills
· Learn the basics of the card catalog
· Learn the basics of the Dewey Decimal System
· Learn the meaning and location of individual and collective
biographies
· Learn the use and the location of print and computerized encyclopedias
· Learn and understand the parts of a book (title page, table
of contents, and index)
· Review and understand the meaning and location of fiction and
non-fiction books
· Practice good study skills and organization
5.8.2. Learning Activities
These learning expectations may be integrated in other
areas of the curriculum. Opportunities to practice and apply research,
writing, organization, and study skills are embedded in areas of language
arts, social sciences, health, sciences, math, etc. If this is treated
as a "content" topic, activities will center on practical
use and application within specified tasks.
5.8.3. Assessment Strategies
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Demonstrated abilities to locate information
for a variety of purposes and media
· Special projects
5.9.
Technology
5.9.1. Computer Skills
Understand and apply computer operation skills
· Recognize and identify parts of a computer
· Correctly use a mouse
· Practice keyboarding skills
· Open and close programs
· Use word processing applications
· Save files to disks
· Print documents
· Delete unwanted files
5.9.2. Learning Activities
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Keyboarding explorations
· Program Explorations
· Special Projects
· Use electronic mail
· Communicate with key pals
· Create slide shows
· HELP
· MASH
5.9.3. Assessment Strategies
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Special projects (individual or group
· Staff observations
· Checklists
· Journal entries
· Portfolios
· Teacher-designed tests
· HELP
· MASH
5.10.
Art
5.10.1. Discipline-Based Art Education (DBAE)
· Art production
· Aesthetics
· Critique
· Interpretation and evaluation
· Creative expression
· Value of art in the human experience
5.10.2. Learning Expectations
· Become more aware of the importance of craftsmanship
· Learn to evaluate one's work according to methods taught
· Continue to learn about the art of various cultures and historical
periods
· Deal with more complex color mixing
· Have increased perception between 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional
handling of materials
· Expand his/her art vocabulary
· Become familiar with simple figure proportions
· Combine materials for desired effects
5.10.3. Learning Activities
· Art production and exploration using a variety
of materials and techniques
· Fundamentals of aesthetics (color value, line, contrast, balance,
etc.)
· Basics of critique (why a piece of art has appeal or does not
appeal, what elements are evident, and explain feelings evoked)
· Interpret the artist's message or purpose
· Gain experience and knowledge through slides, filmstrips, videos,
field trips, and special guests about various art forms
5.10.4. Assessment Strategies
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Art production demonstrating discrete skills/elements
· Essays/oral presentations of artists, historical periods, or
cultures
· Self-evaluation
· Special projects
· Teacher-designed tests or tasks
5.11.
Music
5.11.1. Learning Expectations
· Be able to perform more complex songs as to
melodic range, rhythm, length of song, and the influence of harmony
· Be more aware of meter, accents, tempo, tonalities, etc.
· Elements of music and how they affect music
· Listen and understand more complex musical forms (concertos,
symphony, rondos, etc.)
· Be able to perform simple folk dances and musical games
5.11.2. Learning Activities
Classroom exposure, personal experiences, and field
experience with music production, appreciation, types of music, and
elements of music (pitch, tone, harmony, melody, tempo, etc.) through
exploration with voice and musical instruments.
5.11.3. Assessment Strategies
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Staff observation
· Self-evaluation
· Participation
· HELP
· Special projects
· Performance
5.12.
Integrated Creative Expectations
5.12.1. Fine Arts Skills
Gain experience with Drama, Music, Dance, Plastic Arts,
Textiles, Graphics, Jewelry, Architecture, Clothing Design, Audio/video
production, Interior Design, Printmaking, Ceramics.
5.12.2. Demonstration of Knowledge
Chose and demonstrate knowledge and skills in one of
the above areas. This applied arts component may be used as an isolated
demonstration, or in tandem with other projects intended for presentation.
5.13. Physical
Education
5.13.1. Participation
Active play to enhance muscle tone, coordination, and
balance. Age-appropriate "games with rules" and various sports
to instill teamwork
· Experience enjoyment of physical activity
· Instill importance of exercise for health maintenance
· Develop social customs and courtesy through folk and square
dances
· Recognize improvement in personal capabilities
· Increase skill in tumbling fundamentals
· Learn trust and safety in games and play
5.13.2. Learning Activities
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Participation in group and individual games/sports
· Participation in folk and square dances
· Indoor/outdoor and seasonal activities
· Field trips
· Resource persons
5.13.3. Assessment Strategies
Suggested but not limited to the following:
· Teacher-designed tests/tasks
Continue on to Intermediate Level Curriculum and Instruction