TK-5 Schoolwide Academic Programs

 

*All of our programs, where applicable, align with the Common Core standards.

 

Our K-8th Language Arts curriculum is a strong, literature-based program that includes the development of both oral and written language skills. Reading instruction focuses on the four cueing systems, spelling and vocabulary development, extensive comprehension strategies, and critical thinking skills, all used to better interpret and evaluate texts. Differentiated instruction allows educators to meet the needs of all students and meet them where they are at, whether they are beginning readers or advanced book-lovers. 

 

Throughout each grade, students also develop increasingly sophisticated persuasive, expository, and narrative writing skills. We teach them to analyze what they have read and to cite strong and detailed textual evidence to support their positions. 

 

Teachers use curriculum-based assessments, SBAC interim and block assessments, iReady diagnostics, portfolios and a myriad of ongoing formative and summative assessments to measure growth.  This array of assessments was chosen to measure each individual’s growth towards mastery of the grade-level standards.

 

Our math program seeks to develop a thorough understanding of greater mathematical concepts, with a focus on problem-solving. Students are asked to draw on their knowledge of a wide variety of mathematical topics, allowing them to become skilled at analyzing findings, and at communicating their understanding. Again, differentiated instruction is utilized.

 

Teachers use daily quick checks, curriculum based assessments, SBAC interim assessments, iReady diagnostics, Kahn Academy, portfolios and a myriad of on-going formative and summative assessments to measure growth.  

 

SOCIAL STUDIES 

At WISH, our social studies curriculum not only explores history and social science, but encourages students to develop the critical thinking skills that historians employ to study the past and its relationship to the present. Teachers utilize literature from around the world, non-fiction texts, and Internet resources to develop the student's critical understanding of history, their communities, and their own identity. With guided questions and projects, students are invited to explore and celebrate community, diversity, and multiculturalism, applying what they’ve learned in presentations, projects, simulations, and productions. Students learn to distinguish the important from the unimportant, to recognize vital connections between the present and the past, and to fully grasp historical themes and dilemmas.  

 

Teachers use curriculum-based assessments, History Alive, iReady reading passages, portfolios, and a myriad of ongoing formative and summative assessments to measure growth. This array of assessments was chosen to measure each individual’s growth towards mastery of the grade-level standards.

 

SCIENCE
Our approach to science instruction incorporates project-based learning and hands-on interdisciplinary teaching that is layered on top of previous scientific knowledge. Our students often engage in science investigations in groups, forming hypothesis and analyzing their discoveries. Consistent with the Next Generation Science Standards and rationale, all students receive STEM instruction through Project Lead the Way (PLTW).  Specific content is united by these themes and includes physical science, life science, earth and space science and engineering.

 

Teachers use curriculum-based assessments, SBAC interim and block assessments, portfolios, and a myriad of ongoing formative and summative assessments to measure growth.  

 

All students participate in our comprehensive music and arts program that incorporates the Meet the Master curriculum and the Gameplan curriculum, all of which is intended to give them a greater appreciation for art and music. 

 

The Visual/Creative Arts curriculum emphasizes artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural context, aesthetic valuing, and technical applications. By learning about art history and various art movements, students are able to create their own works, inspired by the masters, and incorporating their techniques. Young artists also learn how to apply elements and principles of design using the language of the visual arts (i.e. value, line, contrast, balance). Frequently, grade-level curriculum is integrated into the arts instruction. 

 

In Music, our students learn music theory, instrument use, and voice application, while at the same time gaining a love for music. We seek to help our children recognize that they all have musical potential, encouraging them to be involved in all activities like dancing, singing, listening and playing instruments. By having fun with music, they experience all of its essential strands: rhythm, melody, harmony, form, and expressive elements.   

 

 

 

Our health curriculum covers the following topics:

 

The technology curriculum is integrated throughout the content areas so that students develop technological skills to enhance their learning activities. Our young students not only learn how to incorporate technology into their everyday study, but they also become familiar with basic operations, digital citizenship, coding, website development, creation of VLOGS and BLOGS, proper keyboarding, PowerPoint, PhotoShop and more. 

 

In order to create a safe, caring and inclusive learning environment, the entire school community follows a positive behavioral model that demonstrates respect, cooperation, responsibility and compassion. WISH subscribes to the RULER program, celebrates Kindness and Gratitude Weeks, has a Kindness club, and supports a social-emotional committee.