Elementary Curriculum Overview
Kindergarten
Math: Bridges in Mathematics
In kindergarten, children will learn to count to 100 by ones and tens, be able to add and subtract within 10, and develop an understanding of teen numbers are 10 and some more. They will also use mathematical language to describe shapes, weight, and length. The curriculum provides lots of hands-on practice, and opportunities to play math games to help children engage in playful learning. The Math Learning Center has a wide variety of resources for families to engage in fun math activities at home. Common Core Math Standards
Reading Comprehension: Fountas and Pinnell Classroom
Reading Foundational Skills: UFLI Foundations, Heggerty Phonemic Awareness
By the end of kindergarten, students will be able to read and understand. We teach our students to use some sight words they have learned, to "sound out" words with short vowels, and use pictures to help understand the meaning of the story. We also provide lots of opportunities to play with letters and sounds using rhyming games and songs. Kindergarteners are read to and have opportunities to talk about books daily.
Writing: Being a Writer
The focus in kindergarten is developing an understanding that writing is a form of communication. Children begin by drawing pictures and labeling the pictures, and they end the year writing 2-3 short sentences on lines related to the pictures they draw. We teach students the difference between fiction and nonfiction, and help children develop confidence in their writing.
Purposeful Play: Play is an important part of our kindergarten classrooms. Students develop social skills, problem-solving, and creativity during our purposeful play time. Teachers facilitate learning by providing activities to engage and challenge students in a playful setting. Examples of play areas in a kindergarten classroom are the block and toy area, dramatic play area, home area, writing area, math area, and art area.
Science: FOSS (Full Options Science System)
Students learn about science and engineering through hands-on, collaborative units rooted in inquiry and discovery. Teachers refer to NGSS Science Standards and use FOSS Science kits to create student-centered learning opportunities that help children learn to problem-solve, communicate and collaborate while learning important scientific concepts. Next Generation Science Standards
Social Studies: Students learn about themselves and others (near & far; now & then) in kindergarten. Teachers use supplemental materials to support the Washington State Social Studies Standards.
Social-Emotional: Second Step
Children learn social-emotional skills in a variety of ways, including the behavior they see modeled by the adults in their lives. Social-emotional skills and concepts are also taught explicitly in the classroom, in much the same way math or reading is taught. Second Step provides whole class lessons in empathy, emotion recognition and management, problem solving, impulse control, calming down, communication and assertiveness.
Music: Spotlight on Music
Our music teachers use Spotlight on Music curriculum to deliver high quality spiraling curriculum. Students learn about, listen to, and perform authentic music while building music and literacy skills. Music Standards
Physical Education: Five for Life Basic PE Curriculum
Our elementary students learn about and practice the five components of fitness, which include cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. They also practice The Skill-Related Components of Fitness: Agility, Reaction Time, Balance, and Coordination. Physical Education Standards
1st Grade
Math: Bridges in Mathematics
In first grade, children will learn to add and subtract within 20, begin to count beyond 100, and continue to develop their understanding of place value. They will also use mathematical reasoning to collect, show and interpret data on a graph, describe attributes of shapes, and learn how to tell time to the hour and half hour. The curriculum provides lots of hands-on practice, and opportunities to play math games to help children engage in playful learning. The Math Learning Center has a wide variety of resources for families to engage in fun math activities at home. Common Core Math Standards
Reading Comprehension: Fountas and Pinnell Classroom
Reading Foundational Skills: UFLI Foundations, Heggerty Phonemic Awareness
Students are immersed in a wide variety of informational and fiction texts through read alouds, and shared reading experiences in first grade. They learn about common spelling patterns for words with short and long vowels, which help them begin to read short texts with a few sentences per page. Students rely heavily on pictures to deepen their understanding of texts read independently and read to them. They also build their high frequency word knowledge, which helps them begin to read fluently and smoothly.
Writing: Being a Writer
The focus in first grade is developing a community of writers where students can become confident to communicate through written text. Students learn about different text types, including personal narrative, informational, and opinion. They also begin to elaborate in their writing by adding details and telling more. By the end of the year, students can write a piece with several sentences including a clear beginning, middle, and end. Common Core ELA Standards
Science: FOSS (Full Options Science System)
Students learn about science and engineering through hands-on, collaborative units rooted in inquiry and discovery. Teachers refer to NGSS Science Standards and use FOSS Science kits to create student-centered learning opportunities that help children learn to problem-solve, communicate and collaborate while learning important scientific concepts. Next Generation Science Standards
Social Studies: Students learn about families (near & far; now & then) in first grade. Teachers use supplemental materials to support the Washington State Social Studies Standards.
Social-Emotional: Second Step
Children learn social-emotional skills in a variety of ways, including the behavior they see modeled by the adults in their lives. Social-emotional skills and concepts are also taught explicitly in the classroom, in much the same way math or reading is taught. Second Step provides whole class lessons in growth mindset and goal setting, emotion management, empathy and kindness, and problem solving.
Music: Spotlight on Music
Our music teachers use Spotlight on Music curriculum to deliver high quality spiraling curriculum. Students learn about, listen to, and perform authentic music while building music and literacy skills. Music Standards
Physical Education: Five for Life Basic PE Curriculum
Our elementary students learn about and practice the five components of fitness, which include cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. They also practice The Skill-Related Components of Fitness: Agility, Reaction Time, Balance, and Coordination. Physical Education Standards
2nd Grade
Math: Bridges in Mathematics
In second grade, children learn to solve addition and subtraction story problems, use place value to add and subtract using the standard algorithm, and explore equal groups to gain a foundational understanding of multiplication. Students will continue to deepen their understanding of time and money and use graphs to measure and represent data. The curriculum provides lots of hands-on practice, and opportunities to play math games to help children engage in playful learning. The Math Learning Center has a wide variety of resources for families to engage in fun math activities at home. Common Core Math Standards
Reading Comprehension: Fountas and Pinnell Classroom
Reading Foundational Skills: UFLI Foundations
Second grade students have the opportunity to read and listen to books throughout the day. Students become more skilled at analyzing texts read to them through the use of whole class read alouds and discussions. They become independent with their reading choosing books they can both read and enjoy. They rely less on pictures, but still tend to choose books that contain many pictures as they add to the joyful reading experience. By the end of the year many second graders are able to read short chapter books for enjoyment.
Writing: Being a Writer
The writing focus for second grade centers around elaboration. Students have a strong understanding of the major text types, including narrative, informational, and opinion. They work to add sensory details to stories, additional information in expository texts, and giving several reasons for opinion writing. Students are becoming more comfortable using standard conventions for writing, including spelling, capitalization and appropriate punctuation. Common Core ELA Standards
Science: FOSS (Full Options Science System)
Students learn about science and engineering through hands-on, collaborative units rooted in inquiry and discovery. Teachers refer to Next Generation Science Standards and use FOSS Science kits to create student-centered learning opportunities that help children learn to problem-solve, communicate and collaborate while learning important scientific concepts. Next Generation Science Standards
Social Studies: Students learn about communities (near & far; now & then) in second grade. Teachers use supplemental materials to support the Washington State Social Studies Standards.
Social-Emotional: Second Step
Children learn social-emotional skills in a variety of ways, including the behavior they see modeled by the adults in their lives. Social-emotional skills and concepts are also taught explicitly in the classroom, in much the same way math or reading is taught. Second Step provides whole class lessons in growth mindset and goal setting, emotion management, empathy and kindness, and problem-solving.
Music: Spotlight on Music
Our music teachers use Spotlight on Music curriculum to deliver high quality spiraling curriculum. Students learn about, listen to, and perform authentic music while building music and literacy skills. Music Standards
Physical Education: Five for Life Basic PE Curriculum
Our elementary students learn about and practice the five components of fitness, which include cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. They also practice The Skill-Related Components of Fitness: Agility, Reaction Time, Balance, and Coordination. Physical Education Standards
3rd Grade
Math: Bridges in Mathematics
In third grade, children will learn to multiply and divide within 100. By the end of the year, they will be able to solve problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and be able to explain the properties of each function. Students will continue to work with geometry and measurement, understanding the perimeter and area of a flat shape. They will begin to use area to develop the conceptual understanding of multiplication, division, and fractions. The curriculum provides lots of hands-on practice, and opportunities to play math games to help children engage in playful learning. The Math Learning Center has a wide variety of resources for families to engage in fun math activities at home. Common Core Math Standards
Reading: Fountas and Pinnell Classroom
Third grade students are learning how to sustain reading for longer periods of time, and with longer books. Books may have more complex plots with multiple problems, but often can still be completed in one sitting. They learn about literary features such as a turning point in a narrative story, and figurative language. Students learn how to read and understand words with multiple syllables, pay attention to punctuation, and read smoothly, matching their voice to the author’s purpose. When reading nonfiction, students learn how to use text features such as diagrams and maps to improve comprehension. Common Core ELA Standards
Writing: Being a Writer
Students are becoming confident writers in third grade. They learn how to edit, revise, and add more details to their writing. They develop a deeper understanding of many text types and can produce different types of writing for a variety of purposes. In addition to narrative, informational and opinion, students write letters, fantasy, biographies, poetry, songs and plays. They respond to reading through writing at times and write for a specific audience. Students continue to add to their bank of high frequency words and are expected to spell these correctly. Common Core ELA Standards
Science: FOSS (Full Options Science System)
Students learn about science and engineering through hands-on, collaborative units rooted in inquiry and discovery. Teachers refer to Next Generation Science Standards and use FOSS Science kits to create student-centered learning opportunities that help children learn to problem-solve, communicate and collaborate while learning important scientific concepts. Next Generation Science Standards
Social Studies: Students learn about culture: people, places, and environment in second grade. Teachers use supplemental materials to support the Washington State Social Studies Standards
Social-Emotional: Second Step
Children learn social-emotional skills in a variety of ways, including the behavior they see modeled by the adults in their lives. Social-emotional skills and concepts are also taught explicitly in the classroom, in much the same way math or reading is taught. Second Step provides whole class lessons in growth mindset and goal setting, emotion management, empathy and kindness, and problem-solving.
Music: Spotlight on Music
Our music teachers use Spotlight on Music curriculum to deliver high quality spiraling curriculum. Students learn about, listen to, and perform authentic music while building music and literacy skills. Music Standards
Physical Education: Five for Life Basic PE Curriculum
Our elementary students learn about and practice the five components of fitness, which include cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. They also practice The Skill-Related Components of Fitness: Agility, Reaction Time, Balance, and Coordination. Physical Education Standards
4th Grade
Math: Bridges in Mathematics
In fourth grade, children will solidify their understanding of the four operations to solve equations with whole numbers. They will become familiar with factors and multiples as they continue to explore patterns with numbers and use place values to perform multi-digit arithmetic. Students will deepen their understanding of fractions and learn decimal notations for fractions. They will identify angles and lines and classify geometric shapes by their properties. The curriculum provides lots of hands-on practice, and opportunities to play math games to help children engage in playful learning. The Math Learning Center has a wide variety of resources for families to engage in fun math activities at home. Common Core Math Standards
Reading: Fountas and Pinnell Classroom
Fourth graders will build on the foundational skills developed in the earlier years to explore books that open the doors to new learning, think deeply about new ideas, and expand their horizons. In fourth grade, they will continue to be read to. They will read books with characters who represent a variety of perspectives and experiences. They will learn how to analyze ideas and topics beyond their own experiences and use inference to determine the theme of a text. Teachers will support students’ building of background knowledge to understand text through reading and thinking aloud, and opportunities for discussion. Common Core ELA Standards
Writing: Being a Writer
In fourth grade, students continue to write a variety of genres, including personal narrative, fiction, nonfiction, opinion, and poetry. They learn how to incorporate descriptive details such as transitional words and phrases and write satisfying endings to bring a story's events to a close. In nonfiction writing, students learn research skills such as taking notes, categorizing information, and conducting internet searches to include facts and details in their writing. Students learn to edit their writing for spelling, grammar, paragraphing, and run-on sentences. They also write throughout the day to take notes, record learning, and respond to reading. Common Core ELA Standards
Science: FOSS (Full Options Science System)
Students learn about science and engineering through hands-on, collaborative units rooted in inquiry and discovery. Teachers refer to Next Generation Science Standards and use FOSS Science kits to create student-centered learning opportunities that help children learn to problem-solve, communicate and collaborate while learning important scientific concepts. Next Generation Science Standards
Social Studies: Students learn about Washington State history, including local tribal history. Teachers use supplemental materials to support the Washington State Social Studies Standards.
Social-Emotional: Second Step
Children learn social-emotional skills in a variety of ways, including the behavior they see modeled by the adults in their lives. Social-emotional skills and concepts are also taught explicitly in the classroom, in much the same way math or reading is taught. Second Step provides whole class lessons in growth mindset and goal setting, emotion management, empathy and kindness, and problem-solving.
Music: Spotlight on Music
Our music teachers use Spotlight on Music curriculum to deliver high quality spiraling curriculum. Students learn about, listen to, and perform authentic music while building music and literacy skills. Music Standards
Physical Education: Five for Life Basic PE Curriculum
Our elementary students learn about and practice the five components of fitness, which include cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. They also practice The Skill-Related Components of Fitness: Agility, Reaction Time, Balance, and Coordination. Physical Education Standards
5th Grade
Math: Bridges in Mathematics
In fifth grade, children understand the place value system, and be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide multi-digit whole numbers with decimals to the hundredths. By the end of the year, they will be able to add and subtract fractions using equivalent fractions and multiply and divide fractions. Students will study volume and relate it to multiplication and addition. The curriculum provides lots of hands-on practice to help children engage in learning. The Math Learning Center has a wide variety of resources for families to engage in fun math activities at home. CCSS Math Standards
Reading: Fountas and Pinnell Classroom
Students in fifth grade read many complex texts from a wide range of genres. Narrative texts can have complex plots and subplots requiring students to consider perspectives and cultures beyond their own. Nonfiction texts offer information on a wide range of topics. In addition to whole-class read aloud, the teacher supports student discussion and critical analysis of books and author’s craft through book clubs and small group instruction. Students learn new concepts and vocabulary through reading both fiction and nonfiction texts. Common Core ELA Standards
Writing: Being a Writer
In fifth grade, students continue to write a variety of genres, including personal narrative, fiction, nonfiction, opinion, and poetry. They learn how to incorporate sensory details and transitional words or phrases, including appropriate punctuation. They also continue to work on engaging openings that capture the reader’s interest, and effective closings. In nonfiction writing, students practice research skills such as taking notes, categorizing information, and conducting internet searches to include facts and details in their writing. Students learn to edit their writing for spelling, maintaining consistent verb tenses, using first- and third-person point of view, and using appropriate use of commas in sentences. Common Core ELA Standards
Science: FOSS (Full Options Science System)
Students learn about science and engineering through hands-on, collaborative units rooted in inquiry and discovery. Teachers refer to Next Generation Science Standards and use FOSS Science kits to create student-centered learning opportunities that help children learn to problem-solve, communicate and collaborate while learning important scientific concepts. Next Generation Science Standards
Social Studies: Social Studies Alive!
Students learn about US History pre-colonial to the constitution in fifth grade. Teachers use Social Studies Alive! America’s Past to support the Washington State Social Studies Standards.
Health Education: Health Education Resources
Fifth grade students learn about anatomy and physiology, growth and development, reproduction, and HIV prevention.
Social-Emotional: Second Step
Children learn social-emotional skills in a variety of ways, including the behavior they see modeled by the adults in their lives. Social-emotional skills and concepts are also taught explicitly in the classroom, in much the same way math or reading is taught. Second Step provides whole class lessons in growth mindset and goal setting; emotion management; empathy and kindness; and problem solving.
Music: Spotlight on Music
Our music teachers use Spotlight on Music curriculum. Students learn about, listen to, and perform authentic music while building music and literacy skills. Music Standards
Physical Education: Five for Life Basic PE Curriculum
Our elementary students learn about and practice the five components of fitness, which include cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. They also practice The Skill-Related Components of Fitness: Agility, Reaction Time, Balance, and Coordination. Physical Education Standards
6th Grade
Math: Big Ideas Math
In sixth grade students will extend their understand of the number system to divide fractions by fractions and find common factors and multiples. They will develop an understanding of ratios and proportional relationships to solve problems, begin to solve problems with one variable, and learn about statistical variability. Students will learn how to solve story problems involving area, surface area, and volume. Common Core Math Standards
Reading: Fountas and Pinnell Classroom
In sixth grade, students have mastered the fundamentals of learning to read, and are now challenging their abilities to sustain attention, remember information, and connect ideas over many days of reading. Throughout the middle grades, students encounter highly sophisticated texts such as fantasies, myths, and epics which require them to analyze the struggle between good and evil. Students might also read books of their choice representing more mature topics such as poverty or war. Authors may use a variety of sophisticated literacy devices such as contradiction, paradox and allusion to carry out complex themes. The teacher provides an increasing amount of nonfiction texts and continues to rely on interactive read alouds, book clubs and independent reading in both whole class and small group discussions. Common Core ELA Standards
Writing: Being a Writer
Sixth grade students continue to practice and improve upon the fundamental writing skills introduced in previous grades. In sixth grade, argumentative writing is introduced. Students learn how to research a certain topic, state a claim about the topic and write an essay arguing in favor of that claim. They also learn to back their claim with evidence and address counterclaims writing in a formal style. Common Core ELA Standards
Science: FOSS (Full Options Science System)
Students learn about science and engineering through hands-on, collaborative units rooted in inquiry and discovery. Teachers refer to Next Generation Science Standards and use FOSS Science kits to create student-centered learning opportunities that help children learn to problem-solve, communicate and collaborate while learning important scientific concepts. Next Generation Science Standards
Social Studies: History Alive!
Students learn about world geography and world history in sixth grade. Teachers use History Alive! The Ancient World to support the Washington State Social Studies Standards.
Health Education: Health Education Resources
Sixth grade students learn about anatomy, reproduction, and pregnancy, puberty and development, HIV prevention.
Social-Emotional: Second Step
Children learn social-emotional skills in a variety of ways, including the behavior they see modeled by the adults in their lives. Social-emotional skills and concepts are also taught explicitly in the classroom, in much the same way math or reading is taught. Second Step provides whole class lessons in mindsets and goals; recognizing bullying and harassment; thoughts, emotions, and decisions; and managing relationships and social conflict.
Music: Spotlight on Music
Our music teachers use Spotlight on Music curriculum to deliver high quality spiraling curriculum. Students learn about, listen to, and perform authentic music while building music and literacy skills. Music Standards
Physical Education:
Our elementary students continue to practice the five components of fitness, which include cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. They also practice The Skill-Related Components of Fitness: Agility, Reaction Time, Balance, and Coordination. Physical Education Standards