Academics Elementary School

Team A Kindergarten

Kindergarten literacy includes decoding words, reading strategies, word study, phonics, phonemic awareness (sound), shared reading, guided reading (reading groups), interactive reading aloud, and narrative, informational and opinion writing.  Kindergarten math develops concepts around the number 5, but Challenge students work with higher numbers.  Social studies includes a civics unit where we learn how school works and why rules are important, a traditions around the world unit, and an economics unit focused on needs and wants.  Science includes a unit on wood and paper and a life science unit comparing and contrasting different animals (fish, worms, pill bugs).  

Team B First and Second Grades

Team B students will spend their day immersed in literacy, math, science and social studies. Across disciplines, we teach the students to use a variety of tools to think more critically and with more depth using the Colorado Academic Standards.

Literacy

In our literacy block, we will use the Into Reading curriculum to guide our mini-lessons, and a reader's and writer's workshop model to provide independent and small group opportunities for learners to strengthen their writing, reading fluency, and comprehension skills. This approach allows students to have collaborative and independent working experiences. This also allows the teacher to differentiate in the classroom in order to met with students in small groups and 1:1 conferences to provide skill-based and individual support. We use both fiction and nonfiction texts to practice our reading. We will write in three genres: opinion, informational, and fiction. We will also write poetry, respond to our reading, and learn grammar. We strive to promote a lifelong passion for reading and writing among our students.

Math

In Math, we promote mathematical thinking by teaching students to represent math problems using models, sketches, expressions, and equations. We use tools, pictures, and models to represent problems and explain ideas clearly. Students describe features and compare objects, shapes and numbers. They look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. They will make sense of problems and persevere in solving them, and reason abstractly and quantitatively. Lastly, students construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 

Science/Social Studies

Team B uses PhD SCIENCE program and uses Inquiry Journeys for social studies. Each subject has 3 units of study throughout the year. 2nd Grade Science Unit: Matter, Biomes, and Earth Changes. 2nd Grade Social Studies Units: Meeting Needs and Wants, Our Changing Landscape and Innovation. 1st Grade Science Units: Survival, Light, and sky. 1st Grade Social Studies Units: Families Near and Far, Our Special Location, Civic Engagement.

Beyond the Academics

Together we will help our students develop social and emotional skills to foster relationships and build community. We will work to create strong work habits, encourage positive behavior, achieve academic success, and become college and career ready. Furthermore, we will expand their growth mindset in areas such as empathy, resilience, optimism, and persistence. 

Team C Third Grade

Students begin their day in Connections, which is a morning meeting for character education, study hall and social-emotional learning. The rest of the day is organized around blocks for literacy, math, science, and social studies, ending with mini-course. Curriculum is designed around Colorado State Standard, Cherry Creek Innovative Standards, 21st Century Skills and relevant subject matter. Team C students rotate through six EnCore Classes. 

Language Arts includes Reading and Writing workshop everyday. Homework includes reading for thirty minutes a night and there is a long-term reading project. In science, we study Life Science, Physical Science and Earth Science. In Social Studies, we study History, Geography, Civics and Economics.

Team C Fourth Grade

Students begin their day in Connections, which is a morning meeting for character education, study hall and vocabulary development. The rest of the day is organized around blocks for literacy, math, science, and social studies, ending with Mini Course. Curriculum is designed around Colorado State Standards, Cherry Cherry Innovative Standards, 21st Century Skills and Relevant subject matter. Team C students rotate through EnCore Classes.

Units of Study:

Language Arts: Into Reading Curriculum

Science: How Important Are Our Eyes, How Does Our Land Change? How Can We Use Energy?

Social Studies: Global Connections geography, Colorado History, Civics and Economics