Current Class Curriculum:
English Language Arts (ELA): Our Language Arts Series is from Houghton Mifflin. This program uses phonics based instruction and phonemic awareness activities as well as many levels of readers. It is a very thorough program that includes reading, writing, spelling and grammar. We have also incorporated the Four Square Writing program into our curriculum.
Mathematics: We use Scott Forsman’s California Mathematics series that correlates directly with the California State Curriculum Standards. It uses a mixture of hands-on manipulatives, skills practice, and problem solving strategies. We use Math Exemplars (problem solving) also.
Social Studies: Our Social Studies program is published by Houghton Mifflin. First grade studies include citizenship, map skills, being an American (past and present), diversity and basic economic principles.
Science: We use the Houghton Mifflin Science Discovery Works. We study weather, matter, plants, animals, and the scientific process. We usually take one science-based field trip a year.
Physical Education (PE): We have trained Instructional Aides who present motor skills with the class on a 1:20 ration twice a week for half an hour. A wide variety of skills and games are taught. Classroom teachers also do outside activities on a regular basis.
Art: Our children will have the opportunity to work with a qualified artist from the Art Masters Program. They will receive six lessons during the course of the school year. The lessons will involve learning about various artists and the different techniques used by each one of these artists. Each lesson begins with a history lesson about the artist and will culminate into an art activity that allows each child to create his or her own masterpiece using different mediums and utilizing the various styles and techniques of the artist they are learning about.
California Standard Educational Resources:
California State Board of Education Curriculum Standards
California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Information
California List of Reading Material For Grades K-12
