Elementary Grades

“All I really need to know, I learned in kindergarten.”

Welcome to Kindergarten!

It’s time for your child to begin the journey of being a lifelong learner! The kindergarten program at Todd School is developmental in nature, and nurtures the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth of the whole child.  Our program is carefully planned to provide a continuity of experiences which promote growth, challenge students to think creatively, and encourage development of many new skills. Activities are child-centered and differentiated in order to meet the needs of the various learners in the classroom. These opportunities build a sense of positive self-concept, competency, and success! The teachers look forward to a year of partnership with parents, and open communication to ensure a happy, positive first year at Todd School! 

Language Arts
“Pearson Reading Street”

• A research-based core reading program used school-wide
• Balanced literacy program using motivating and engaging literature (including Science and Social Studies concepts) 
• Infuses technology
• Contains essential focus questions
• Student literature selections are based on a common theme in all genres where oral language literacy and listening skills are emphasized during shared reading and teacher read alouds
• Throughout the week, a particular comprehension skill/strategy is taught, along with story vocabulary, phonics and spelling, grammar, and writing
• Students practice these specific skills many times throughout the week as a whole class, during small group guided reading instruction, and at practice stations both independently and with peers
• Teachers differentiate instruction and use a variety of strategies to create successful readers and writers
• Children are assessed at regular intervals to determine growth and areas of further needed instruction

Math

“Primary Math”

• Math learning experiences begin with concrete and pictorial stages, and progress to the abstract stage to enable children to meaningfully learn mathematics
• Kindergarten math goal: have children be able to successfully understand and decompose numbers for problem solving purposes
• This learning approach encourages active thinking processes, communication of mathematical ideas, and problem solving skills
   

Science (STEM)/Social Studies

• The Kindergarten Science and Social Studies Curricula are based on concepts and skills (listed below) using various genres, technology, and hands-on activities. Science units include Physical and Life Science Units.
• Labeling
• Non-fiction text (whole group read, small group, individual)
• Recording observations
• Making predictions
• Journaling
• Community building and importance of being a good citizen
• Identifying the difference between needs and wants
   

Great websites to use at home!

• http://www.starfall.com/ 
• www.ixl.com
• http://pbskids.org/superwhy/
• www.abcya.com
• www.funbrain.com

• Organizing Ourselves 
• Seasonal Science/Weather 
• Investigating Attributes and Properties
• Identifying the States of Matter 
• Investigating Living Things 
• The Sea

Social/Emotional Learning 
Todd School uses Habits of Mind and Mindfulness practices to develop effective listening skills as well as a safe, positive learning community.

Homework 
Throughout the year homework may be assigned occasionally to develop a sense of responsibility in the students, to include families in the learning experience, and to provide skill practice when appropriate. Reading or listening to a variety of genres on a regular basis is recommended and expected.  Families also have the opportunity to access Reading Street and Primary Digital at home as resource for continued practice of skills and strategies taught in the classroom.
 

Reading and Language Arts
Todd School uses a research-based core language arts program entitled Reading Street. This program is designed to help teachers build skillful readers and writers through motivating and engaging literature, scientifically research-based instruction, and a myriad of reliable teaching tools. This balanced literacy program aligns with the New York State Common Core Standards and integrates technology. Students read selections on a common theme in all genres where oral language literacy and listening skills are stressed. Throughout the week a particular comprehension skill and strategy is taught along with story vocabulary, phonics and spelling, grammar and writing. Students practice these skills multiple times as a whole class, during small group guided reading instruction, independently at practice stations or with peers. Teachers differentiate instruction and have a variety of strategies at hand to create successful readers.

Spelling instruction includes weekly word lists which focus on the various spelling strategies and their application to all written work. During the second grade year, the children will be expected to make the transition from developmental to conventional spelling.

Children learn to write original stories, compose poetry, report on personal experiences and factual material, and apply rules of capitalization and punctuation.

Math
Our math program, Primary Mathematics, reflects the current NYS standards. Topics covered will be: Numbers to 1,000, Addition & Subtraction (including renaming), Geometry, Money, Time, Fractions, Graphing, and Multiplication

Social Studies
One focus of the Social Studies program is to teach the interdependence of 
people, neighborhoods, and communities. Students will be introduced to these concepts: geography, citizenship, government, map skills and history. 

In the study of "basic economics" the children learn about trade and barter, money, banking, goods and services and factories. The "Popcorn Factory" is the culmination of this unit of study. 

The Social Studies program is enhanced by the use of books, videos, field trips and simulations. 

Science
The inquiry-based Science program encourages the children to explore the world around them. They are given many opportunities to observe, question and record their findings about measurement, energy, living things and the environment.

The Science program is enriched through experiments, videos, field trips and in-class presentations by scientists. 

Technology
Technology is integrated into all curriculum areas. The children use shared laptops which enhance the study of social studies, science, math and language arts.  Additionally, computer lab time will be scheduled for collaborative teaching and learning.

Homework Policy
During the school year, homework will be assigned as an application and extension of concepts taught in class. Children should spend from 15 to 30 minutes each day on these assignments depending on their individual ability. In addition, daily reading for a minimum of 15 minutes at home is encouraged. 

Health and Safety
In the second grade, children build upon their first grade experience. They continue to learn about good health habits and physical fitness. The importance of safety is stressed as an on-going school topic and practiced in units on safety in school, on the bus, on the playground and at home. 
 

Language Arts
In 3rd grade we provide a balanced literacy approach to reading.  In this approach, reading and writing are not isolated but are combined to support student learning.   By understanding and taking on habits of good readers and writers students become motivated, confident, and informed lifelong learners.  

Reading
Students develop and practice reading skills and strategies through a variety of literature. Comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, and word study are taught through NYS Common Core aligned lessons.
Comprehension skills and strategies that are focused on this year include: 

• sequence                                    
• visualize
• infer                                        
• question
• summarize                                
• predict
• compare and contrast                    
• draw conclusions
• make generalizations                    
• identify author's purpose
• find main idea and details            
• identify important details
• identify facts and opinions                
• monitor and clarify  
• understand and use cause and effect to help comprehension
• identify and utilize text structure and graphic sources

Students are progress monitored and instruction is differentiated to meet student needs. There is an emphasis on moving 3rd grade students from learning to read to reading to learn.

Writing 
Communication is the main purpose of writing.  Our goals include learning strategies for finding ideas for writing, learning to write with clear intentions, and writing in a wide variety of genres.  Our lessons include teaching key qualities of writing such as: generation of ideas, organization, finding personal voice, expanding word choice, developing sentence fluency, correct application of conventions, and appropriate presentation.

Math 
The primary focus in third grade math is on developing a strong foundation in mathematical understanding through critical thinking skills and a problem-centered curriculum. The CPA approach (concrete, pictorial, abstract) enables students to encounter mathematics in a meaningful way that translates skills from the concrete to the abstract.   There is an emphasis on strong number sense, mental math skills and a deep understanding of place value. Students are encouraged to solve problems in a variety of ways. NYS Common Core standards emphasizes the mastery of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  Other concepts include fractions, measurement, and geometry.

Science 
3rd grad scientists will explore and discover the plant cycle, electricity, water cycle, and the life cycle of a butterfly.  Science 21 emphasizes investigation and promotes the role of student as scientist.  Through hands on experimentation each student will predict and hypothesize, experiment, and draw conclusions about their investigations. Throughout our units of study we introduce and use scientific tools and learn new vocabulary specific to the unit.  Students record and journal their scientific observations and findings.

Social Studies 
We travel the world this year in search of culture, history, geography, economy, and politics.  In the beginning of the year we learn about globes and various types of maps.  We also learn specific concepts from directionality to reading map keys and scale.  From there we learn about continents, oceans and other landforms. By looking at our own country and comparing it to one or two others, we can then examine similarities and differences among other world cultures.  We look at the effect geography has on a community and how communities change and develop.  Lessons introduce how social, political, and economic systems affect a community.

Fourth grade classes are heterogeneous in structure. The teachers work closely together and frequently regroup children across the classes for special projects and activities. Provisions are made for individual instruction within the classroom and in special programs.

Reading and Language Arts 
Todd School uses a research-based core language arts program entitled Reading Street.  This program is designed to help teachers build skillful readers and writers through motivating and engaging literature, scientifically research-based instruction, and a myriad of reliable teaching tools. This balanced literacy program aligns with the New York State Common Core Standards and integrates technology. Students read selections on a common theme in all genres where oral language literacy and listening skills are stressed. Throughout the week a particular comprehension skill and strategy is taught along with story vocabulary, phonics and spelling, grammar and writing. Students practice these skills multiple times as a whole class, during small group guided reading instruction, independently at practice stations or with peers. Teachers differentiate instruction and have a variety of strategies at hand to create successful readers.

Math 
Primary Mathematics; Common Core Edition is used for instruction. It is necessary for every child to develop the basic computational skills and the practical applications of these skills. Students are expected, through appropriate experiences and activities, to explore, analyze, question and investigate mathematical concepts in order to discover relationships and develop understanding. All basic algorithms are taught. The students are required to commit arithmetic facts to memory.  Problem solving involving practical situations is emphasized. Math manipulatives are used to progress students from the concrete to the abstract. 

Social Studies 
New York State is the focus of the fourth grade curriculum. The textbook is MacMillan/McGraw-Hill's New York.  Additionally, BOCES Social Studies curriculum is followed to complete the care of the program.  The topics to be covered are the geography of New York, the resources and regions of New York, the first people of New York, Colonial New York, the American Revolution in New York, moving from colony to state, early statehood and New York's government. Emphasis is placed on developing research skills using a variety of resources. We also use New York Studies Weekly Newspaper. 

Science 
The Fourth Grade science program follows the scope and sequence of Science 21, an inquiry based hands-on curriculum. The theme of the curriculum is "Organization In The World". The units of study are: Organizing Ourselves For Doing Science; Digestion, Nutrients, Food Chains and Webs; Simple Machines Organization Of The Earth (rocks & minerals). These topics develop student interest and skill in the use of scientific methods and equipment. Students are taught to observe, measure, classify, infer, predict, record and communicate results. These units are often integrated into other of curriculum areas.

Homework 
Assignments normally are given four days per week and require thirty to forty-five minutes to complete. In addition students are expected to complete twenty minutes of independent daily at home reading.

Reading 
Most fifth graders are independent readers so stress is placed on higher level skills. The students experience reading for pleasure as well as reading in the content areas, reviewing word attack skills, expanding vocabulary, increasing comprehension, critically assessing the author's message, and gaining a basic understanding of the elements of literature. 

Language Arts
Todd School uses a research-based core language arts program entitled Reading Street.  This program is designed to help teachers build skillful readers and writers through motivating and engaging literature, scientifically research-based instruction, and a myriad of reliable teaching tools. This balanced literacy program aligns with the New York State Common Core Standards and integrates technology. Students read selections on a common theme in all genres where oral language literacy and listening skills are stressed. Throughout the week a particular comprehension skill and strategy is taught along with story vocabulary, phonics and spelling, grammar and writing. Students practice these skills multiple times as a whole class, during small group guided reading instruction, independently at practice stations or with peers. Teachers differentiate instruction and have a variety of strategies at hand to create successful readers.

Mathematics 
Primary Mathematics Is the program used for instruction.  Students continue to develop their basic computational skills and the practical applications of these skills.  Fifth grade math topics include place value through the billions, calculations with whole numbers, fractions and decimals.  Higher level geometry and algebra concepts are introduced.  Emphasis is placed on problem solving strategies including model drawing in order to visualize and make sense of multi-step word problems.  Math manipulatives are also used to progress students from the concrete to the abstract.  By focusing on mathematical understanding, this program helps to develop logical thinking, metacognition and critical problem solving skills.

Social Studies
Grade 5 Social Studies is based on the history and geography of the Western Hemisphere, including the development of cultures, civilizations, and empires; interaction between societies; and the comparison of the government and economic systems of modern nations.  Using the Social Studies/ELA integrated program developed by BOCES, and the New York State Social Studies Framework, students are encouraged to use higher order thinking skills to explore these cultures and societies.

Science 
The primary objectives of the fifth grade program are to instill in our students a thorough understanding of the scientific process, while covering important content areas. Frequent opportunities are given for children to observe, classify and compare. Through an interactive approach, the students learn to become inferential thinkers. Emphasis is placed on using the scientific method to conduct reliable tests. Topics include the study of variables through lab investigations, microworlds, and the human body. 

Homework 
The fifth grade teachers assign homework regularly on Monday through Thursday nights, and occasionally over a weekend.

Daily homework assignments are designed to take approximately one hour to complete. In addition, students must budget their time to complete long-term assignments, i.e. monthly book reports, research reports. 

Reporting to Parents 
Parent/teacher conferences are held in November, April and as needed throughout the year. Report cards are sent home in January and June.