Ridgewood Avenue School

CURRICULUM SYNOPSIS

2007 -2008

 

  • LANGUAGE ARTS

Through a challenging academic program, the Language Arts curriculum provides all students with varied and integrated experiences in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Through the use of a literature-based reading program, novels, journals and performance-based activities, the students experience the joy of becoming successful readers, writers, listeners and speakers. Emphasis on grammar and spelling is important in the development of the speaking and writing process. The Language Arts Committee adapted a new series (Macmillan/McGraw Hill Treasures, Grades 3-5 and Prentice Hall, Grade 6) and implemented the new curriculum in 2006-2007. The themes in the anthology units are as follows:

Grade 3 Our World, Investigations, discoveries, Determination, Challenges, and Achievements

Grade 4 Let’s Explore, Take a Stand, Make a Difference, Viewpoints, Relationships, and Discoveries

Grade 5 Challenges, Discoveries, Turning Points, Experiences, Achievements, and Great Ideas

Novels are: The Big Wave, Pearl S. Buck; From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, E. L. Konigsburg; My Side of the Mountain, Jean George; In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson, Bette Bao Lord;

Grade 6 Poetry, Journalism, Short Stories, Essays, Novels: Tuck Everlasting, Call of the Wild, The Giver or White Fang, Vocabulary Workshop. 

  • MATH

"Everyday Mathematics" from the University of Chicago is the Math program in our school for grades 3 - 5. The Math Committee reviewed the curriculum last year, wrote new curriculum over the summer and is currently in the process of choosing teaching materials to implement the new curriculum. It provides students with a spiraled, hands-on approach to learning the development of mathematical concepts and problem solving skills. Aside from the "Everyday Mathematics" program, the students enhance computational mathematical communication through written, oral, symbolic and visual forms of expression through the use of math journals, activities and problem solving experiences.

In sixth grade we utilize the Holt Mathematics program.  The curriculum has been recently reviewed and rewritten.  The program offers students a variety of comprehensive differentiated instruction opportunities as well as providing students with lessons that engage and apply practical skills.  Each lesson provides spiral review to keep previously taught material fresh.

 

  • SOCIAL STUDIES

The Social Studies Curriculum Committee will be meeting this year to review the curriculum. Currently, the curriculum is based on preparing students to utilize investigative strategies to enhance the specific topic of study. Map skills are reinforced throughout each of the themes. The topics of study are as follows:

Grade 3 Colonial Times, Community, Economics and Government

Grade 4 Geography & History of NJ, Regions of the United States, U.S. History as experienced through New Jersey

Grade 5 The first Americans, Worlds Meet, Colonization & conflict, The fight for Independence, A new Nation, Slavery and Emancipation, and The Nation Changes

(Students role-play, write scripts, and do hands-on projects to make Social Studies come to life)

Grade 6 Western Africa, Southeast Asia, Mexico, Europe and North and South America

 

  • SCIENCE

The Science Curriculum engages students in investigation and discovery activities.  Integrating the Discovery Works science program, this hands-on, motivational approach captures the natural curiosity of children and stimulates their interest. The modules for each grade level address the life, earth and physical sciences. The modules are as follows:

Grade 3 Earth, Moon, Stars; Energy, Matter; Roles of Living Things

Grade 4 Magnetism & Electricity, Weather & Climate; Characteristics of Living Things; The Land

Grade 5 Systems in Living Tings, Matter & Energy, Populations & Ecosystems, The Solid Earth, and Light & Sound

Grade 6 Astronomy, Solar Energy, Oceanography, Mixtures & Solutions, Physics, Cells and Matter