Academic Program

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This is designed to inform parents about our school's academic program. We hope that you, the parents and guardians, find the information to be both informational and empowering.  Literacy Program | Everyday Mathematics English Language Development School Library | Specials' classes Literacy Program The literacy model implemented at Cheltenham Elementary is school-wide. The model provides a focused and systematic approach to reading and writing instruction. The teacher plans for instruction based on student’s needs and standards. The three major model components are described below. READING Demonstrated Reading Whole group instruction which occurs everyday Teacher models a specific reading skill/strategy. This includes phonics, new vocabulary, comprehension strategies, writing conventions/mechanics, language usage, and literacy elements. Differentiated Reading Small group instruction of students who read at similar levels Teacher sees every group everyday Explicit teaching of decoding targets including phonics and comprehension strategies Daily the teacher: identifies a teaching target, provides a definition and rationale, models the target and allows students the opportunity to practice Direct Reading Daily opportunity to independently practice newly learned decoding and comprehension strategies WRITING The writing model is genre-based focusing on five major genres of writing: description, narrative, explanation, instruction and persuasive. Demonstrated Writing Whole group instruction where students observe a fluent writer Teachers demonstrate the writing process and think aloud about strategies used when writing Differentiated Writing Small group instruction where the teacher sees every group daily Together, the teacher and students compose a written product Teaching targets focus on teaching planning, organization, vocabulary, sentence and paragraph structure, grammar, conventions and mechanics including spelling. Directed Writing Daily opportunity for practice of the genre and teaching target taught in the Differentiated Group Students independently apply new skills within topic areas of personal interest and experience Literacy Program | Everyday Mathematics English Language Development | School Library | Specials' classes To the top Everyday Mathematics Cheltenham has adopted Everyday Mathematics school-wide. This program provides a rigorous and balanced curriculum aligned with National Standards for Mathematics. What does a rigorous and balanced curriculum mean? Curriculum that builds conceptual understanding while maintaining mastery of basic skills Curriculum based on not only what adults know, but also how children learn, what they’re interested in, and the future for which they must be prepared What are the standards that Everyday Mathematics is developed around? Number Sense: operations, and numeration and order Algebra and Functions: patterns, functions, and sequences, and algebra and uses of variables Measurement and Geometry Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability What is the instructional design of Everyday Mathematics? The program’s model is built on key principles that were developed through extensive research and testing-principles that have been proven to work: Real learning occurs over time, first through informal exposure and then through more formal and directed instruction Language, communication, social interaction, tools, and manipulatives all play important roles in helping students acquire skills Mathematical modeling is vital ingredient of a sound instructional program Students learn best when material is introduced and reviewed in dynamic and varied contexts New learning and basic skills must be continually reviewed, practiced, and applied in a variety of real-life situation Optimal learning occurs if it involves the child, the teacher, and the home. Family letters help inform parents and guardians about each units topics and terms, offering ideas for home-based mathematics activities that supplement classroom work. Also, parents or others at home are invited to participate in each child’s mathematics experiences through the home links included in most lessons. Fact Power: The Everyday Math curriculum has frequent and varied supports for learning and practicing basic math fact skills in the areas of addition, subtraction, multiplication & division. However, our students need additional time and support to demonstrate secures knowledge of these skills. Practicing these math fact skills of adding, subtracting, multiplying and/or dividing numbers, depending on your child’s grade level, will enhance your child’s math skills and abilities. Here are guidelines for which math facts operations your child needs according to his or her grade level: ECE - know numbers 0-25 Kindergarten - know numbers 0-75 in and out of sequence 1st - addition of numbers 0-10 2nd - addition and subtraction 3rd - addition, subtraction, and multiplication 4th and 5th - addition, subtraction, multiplication and division Literacy Program | Everyday Mathematics English Language Development | School Library | Specials' classes To the top English Language Development Avenues is a program used school-wide to help students develop academic language including grammar, vocabulary and language usage. The science and social studies themes presented in each unit are connected to grade level standards/content. Students receive a minimum of 45 minutes of English Language Development instruction daily. Literacy Program | Everyday Mathematics English Language Development | School Library | Specials' classes To the top School Library The school library welcomes all community members. Every child at Cheltenham is able to check out books. We would appreciate your help in making sure books are kept in a clean and safe place. Please assist your child in returning the books in a timely manner. The library is open to the community daily 3:00-3:30 p.m. Computers are also available for community use. If you are interested in getting a library card, please stop by the library and complete form. Literacy Program | Everyday Mathematics English Language Development | School Library | Specials' classes To the top Specials’ Classes Computers The computer program takes children all the way from basic keyboarding to animation and PowerPoint slideshows with graphs and writing. Dance/Physical Education (PE) The new dance/PE program is intended to encourage students to be physically and mentally active. Students will focus on seven key areas of physical discipline: rhythm, balance, coordination, endurance, flexibility, strength, and concentration. Visiual Arts The visual and integrated arts program is intended to teach students to recognize and use arts as a form of creativity and communication; to know and apply elements of art and expressive features, and help students relate art to various historical and cultural traditions. Literacy Program | Everyday Mathematics English Language Development | School Library | Specials' classes To the top