KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM
Reading - Children are immersed in a rich environment of literacy.
Language Arts - Children learn letters and sounds.
Social Skills - Children learn to cooperate and function in large groups.
Writing - Children express their ideas in journals daily.
Science - Children participate in hands-on activities.
Math - Children explore concepts through manipulatives.


FIRST GRADE CURRICULUM
Reading - An integrated thematic approach
Language Arts - Speaking, Listening, Spelling
Social Studies - Exploring the world
Writing - Journals and stories
Science - Hands-on discovery
Novels - Trade books and Anthologies
Math - Multisensory techniques
Resources - Infoworld, Electronic Cafe, Field Trips, Guest Speakers, Kid Talk
First grade is a magic place for making tomorrow.


SECOND GRADE CURRICULUM
Language Arts - Incorporates a variety of oral and written expression.
Reading- Continue building upon previously learned strategies, fluency, and comprehension.
Social Studies- Focusing on U.S. geography, mapping skills, and exploring new cultures.
Science- Introduction to the Solar System, biology, weather, geology, ecology, scientific procedures, etc.
Health - An awareness of healthy lifestyles and safe choices.
Math- Exploring math concepts ranging from addition to multiplication using a variety of manipulatives.


THIRD GRADE CURRICULUM
Math
Addition and Subtraction with and without regrouping
Story Problems using addition and subtraction
Fact Families (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
Geometry
Rounding and Estimation
Multiplication and Division
Story Problems using multiplication and division
Story Problems using rounding and estimation
Telling time (story problems using time)
Using charts and graphs to solve problems
Measurement
Introduction of fractions and decimals

Writing and Language Arts
Narrative stories
How-to stories
Descriptive stories
Process Writing (prewrite, revise, edit)
Parts of Speech (noun, verb, adjective)
Capitalization, Punctuation, Sentence Structure
Paragraphs
Spelling Strategies

Reading and Language Arts
Main Idea and Summarizing
Vocabulary Usage and Context Clues
Drawing Conclusions
Inferencing
Comprehending and Evaluating Text
Characterization in Literature
Understanding Setting
Using a Dictionary and Thesaurus
Comprehending Text in Content Areas (Science, Social Studies)

Science
Measurement
Environment
Simple Machines
Water
Health
Research Project

Social Studies
Geography and Maps
County History
Interact - Pilgrims
Economics - Create Business
Interact - Apple Valley School



FOURTH GRADE CURRICULUM
Social Studies
In the beginning of the year, we are reviewing map and globe skills. We will then study Texas' location, climate, resources, and parklands. We will then learn that Texas has four unique regions that are similar to the United States regions. After travelling through the regions, we will focus on Texas' beginnings, studying the influence of North America, Spain, and Mexico. After fighting the battles for Independence, we will study Texas as a republic and a state. We will briefly talk about the Civil War and the effects it played upon Texas. We will end with a study of Cowboys and Cowgirls on the Cattle Drives and then Boom Years.

Math
We will be covering these objectives during the school year:
Number Concepts
Operations of addition and subtraction up to 4 digits
Problem solving
The operation of multiplication and division
Mathematical relations, fractions and algebraic concepts
Demonstrate an understanding of geometric properties and relationships
Probability

Writing
In 4th grade, we will focus on five types of writing: Descriptive, How to, Persuasive, Narrative and Compare/Contrast. We are learning descriptive writing as a foundation for all types of writing. We are incorporating language skill with the writing process and reviewing cursive so your child can become more proficient.

Reading
Our main goal in 4th grade is to reach every student's individual needs to become a confident reader. We will have a variety of reading sources that we will use. With these books, we will be promoting comprehension skills, main idea, predicting, fact and nonfact, vocabulary, and summarization. In all the different genres of reading, we will be evaluating the characters, setting, plot, and conflicts. We will do this by providing them with many different modes. Reading is also very closely tied to writing and all other subjects. Accelerated Reader will also be used to enhance all reading concepts.

Science
We will be studying all aspects of science which include physical, earth, and life science. Using the discovery approach, students will incorporate the scientific process and hands on experiments by going to the Science Lab and supplementing the basic science curriculum using F.O.S.S. kits.
Other Interests:
Agenda- Please make sure you check your child's agenda every night. Each student should write all homework assignments and upcoming events daily.
Folders- The Green folder goes home every Tuesday with your child's work. It must be signed by a parent or guardian that night and brought back Tuesday morning to school.
Technology- This year we will be going to the Computer Lab once a week for a 45 minute time period. We are focusing on keyboarding and incorporating the classroom with the fast-paced computer world by using Word, Power Point, the Internet, and various software!
Field Trips-* Dry Bones, an old- fashioned Texas town, Fort Worth Stockyards, and the Dallas Symphony!


FIFTH GRADE CURRICULUM
Math
We will be covering these objectives during the year:
Problem solving in each area of study
Common factors, fractions, and decimals
Operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
Develop and apply formulas for perimeter, circumference, area, and volume
Demonstrate an understanding of geometric properties and relationships
Probability, statistics, and graphing

Reading
In 5th grade, we will focus on helping each student relate and respond to quality children's literature. We will use a variety of reading sources throughout the year. Through these books, we will teach comprehension skills, fact/opinion, summarization, main idea, predicting,cause and effect, and vocabulary. We will read many different genres of literature. Students will also take part in activities and discussions to help them understand themes, read for context clues, and evaluate characters, plot, setting, and conflicts in a book. An important goal of 5th grade reading is to develop children who enjoy reading and feel free to interpret what they are reading in a personal, individual way.
Language Arts
The tools of language - listening, speaking, reading, and writing are all taught across the curriculum. We will also focus on the introduction of research. This includes note cards, bibliography, and compiling a paper about a paricular subject. This not only includes a language skill, but also incorporates other subject areas. Grammar, including parts of a sentence, parts of speech, and language usage will also be taught. Creative writing using daily "tidbits", poetry , and short stories is also a curriculum component.

Science:
Life Science
a. Cells, tissues, organisms, and systems
b. Classifying into kingdoms
c. Plant Processes
d. Invertebrates and vertebrates
Physical Science
a. Properties of matter
b. Forms of energy
Earth Science
a. Environment
b. Climates
c. Astronomy
Human Body
a. Experiments using FOSS (Full Option Science System) kits in the area of landforms, mixtures and solutions
Social Studies
American History
Early Explorers
American Revolution
Civil War
Map Skills

Other Interests:
Technology - We will be incorporating the Internet, Power Point, keyboarding, multimedia presentations and other computer programs along with the 5th grade curriculum

Field Trips - We will be going to Sky Ranch and the Opera.

SIXTH GRADE CURRICULUM
TAKS Skills Review
Grammar Skills Revisited
World Past to Present
Pyramiding Math Skills
Fossils to Physics
Thematic Novels
Writing for TAKS Success