Middle Elementary 

Language Arts

Core textbooks: Literacy by Design, by Rigby, 2008


Curriculum Overview:
The Elementary Language Arts program implements Literacy by Design, by Rigby. The curriculum is a comprehensive reading and writing program that provides direct and explicit instruction to link whole and small group instruction, as well as independent reading and writing. The essential comprehension skills: literal, inferential, and critical thinking are encompassed throughout the curriculum.

Through the use of leveled readers and a variety of high interest expository and narrative texts, students will be exposed to engaging theme based stories, while acquiring comprehension strategies that are based on grade-level standards. Students will further practice comprehension strategies during small group and independent reading.

Language Arts Goals: (as determined through curricular assessments):

• Students enhance their phonemic awareness through engagement of phoneme blending, isolation, and substitution, syllable awareness, and word rhyming.
• The students strengthen their auditory, visual, and kinesthetic pathways by using simultaneous, multi-sensory instruction.
• Students develop grammar skills through daily word study.
• Students identify genres and features of fiction and non-fiction text.
• Students develop comprehension of text through the use of key strategies.
• Students foster oral reading fluency through read-aloud and shared-reading activities.
• Students learn to write a paragraph that includes a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence.
• Students utilize a six-step writing process to compose narrative and expository essays.
• Students fortify and employ essential comprehension skills:  literal, inferential, and critical thinking.
• Students apply reading and vocabulary comprehension strategies to the completion of four novel study units.
• Students engage in an independent novel study based on an age appropriate novel of their choice.

Mathematics

Core textbooks: Math:Diamond Edition, Scott Foresman

Curriculum Overview:
Students learn number sense (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), algebra, measurement, and geometry. To finish the year, students learn about probability and mathematical reasoning. The class is encouraged to use critical and analytical thinking skills, as well as manipulatives, puzzles, and technology to facilitate understanding and mastery. Goals encompass the California State Mathematic Standards.

Math Goals:

• Count, read, write, and order whole numbers to 10,000.
• Find the sum and difference of whole numbers.
• Model and solve simple problems using multiplication and division.
• Solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems by using data from charts, graphs, pictures, and number sentences.
• Measure the length of objects using standard or nonstandard units.
• Tell time and know the relationships of time (minutes in an hour, days in a month, etc).
• Recognize, describe, and extend patterns.
• Determine approach, materials, and strategies to set up a problem.

Science

Core textbooks: HSP Science, Harcourt School Publishers

Curriculum Overview:
Students will learn concepts in Physical, Life, and Earth Sciences; California State Science Content Standards are upheld. Students will achieve the following goals through classroom instruction and discussion, as well as investigation and experimentation.

Science Goals:

• Understand the dependency of organisms on each other and their environment to survive.
• Understand the properties of rocks and minerals and the processes that formed them.
• Understand how waves, wind, water, and ice shaped and continue to reshape the earth’s land surface.
• Understand the earth’s place in the solar system and how the earth interacts with the moon.
• Understand the properties of matter.
• Understand what energy is and how it is used.

Social Studies

Core textbooks: Our Golden State, McMillan-McGraw Hill

Curriculum Overview:
Students will explore California history, the geography of the state, and the important people both past and present. Goals encompass the California State History-Social Science Content Standards.

Social Studies Goals:

• Students know how California became connected to the rest of the world from stagecoach to railroad.
• Students identify and explain the businesses that led to economic growth for California.
• Students develop a greater understanding of how a society grows and the changes that come with that growth
• Student draw from historical and community resources to organize the sequences of local and state historical events. 

Physical Education

Core textbooks: S.P.A.R.K. Curriculum 

Curriculum Overview: 
In this course, students receive Physical Education instruction five days a week for 30 minutes a day. Instruction will be provided in the areas of motor skill development, fitness, sports and social development. Students engage in physical activities specifically related to the components of physical fitness. Students learn and have the opportunity to experience the differences between personal challenges and competition.  Recreational activities and sports provide an opportunity for personally responsibility, cooperation and  team/small group and partner activities. 

P.E. Goals:

• Demonstration of locomotor skills and movement patterns needed to perform in a variety of physical challenges and activities.
• Demonstration of movement concepts, body management and manipulative skills at appropriate times during performance of physical activities.
• Demonstrate knowledge of social concepts, strategies and rules as they apply to learning and performance in physical activities.

Computer Technology

Core textbooks: Easy Tech from Learning.com

Curriculum Overview:
Middle Elementary students learn computer mouse basics, computer basics and introduction to the keyboard. principles including home row, upper row and lower row through interactive computer based drills and use learning resources such as keyboarding gloves and online lessons. In addition, keyboarding posture and proper hand placement are emphasized. Students complete lessons that introduce concepts in computer basics, word processing, beginning graphics and computer navigation. 

Computer Technology Goals:

• Students demonstrate understanding of broad concepts of computer fundamentals, desktop, windows and controls, toolbars and menus, software and network basics.
• Students identify the parts of the keyboard and practice home row, upper row and lower row through interactive computer based drills and using learning resources such as keyboarding gloves and online lessons.
• Students develop their keyboarding skills and focus on accuracy and speed.
• Students use software to create visual maps/graphic organizers.
• Students use software to create text files with images.
• Students understand and demonstrate effective use of copyright law.
• Students follow technology use guidelines and acceptable use policy.

Art

Curriculum Overview:
Students to become familiar with different styles of artwork as well as various processes for making two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork.

Computer Technology Goals:

• Demonstrate the ability to distinguish among various media (clay, sculpture, drawing, painting) when looking at works of art.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify the elements of art found in objects in nature, the environment, and works of art; emphasizing line, color, shape, form, and texture.
• Provide experiences in various artistic processes and skills, using a variety of media to communicate meaning and intent in original works of art.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and describe various subject matter in art, such as landscape, seascape, portrait and still life.
• Demonstrate the ability to describe objects designed by artists such as, furniture, appliances, cars that are used at home and at school.