Elementary School
The elementary school curriculum provides for the development of knowledge, skills, and understanding in the areas of reading, language arts, social science, mathematics, science, health, art, music, library skills, technology education, Arabic, and physical education.
Students remain in self-contained classrooms with their homeroom teacher for core subjects. Specialist instructors teach art, music, physical education, Arabic language/culture, ESL, and technology. Instruction is often delivered through thematic units, which combine several curricular areas. Arabic is offered to elementary students in grades KG through 5 as part of the regular school curriculum. Students in grade 1 study Arabic Culture. An English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program supplements basic classroom instruction for a short period of the day.
Methods and techniques of instruction reflect current developments in U.S. educational practices. Our curriculum is contextually and developmentally appropriate, stressing strong communication, thinking and computational skills. ACS wants to help students become life-long learners, who know HOW to learn and think, rather than simply regurgitating factual information. Best Teaching Practices, including child-centered rather than teacher-directed instruction, hands-on learning, collaborative activities, and authentic assessment rather than paper and pencil tests are encouraged in all classrooms. Students are progressively exposed to technology from Pre-kindergarten onwards through elementary, middle school and high school.
READING AT ACS
Offering a balanced literacy program, our teachers and teachers' assistants daily read aloud to students modeling for them the reading process, read with the students providing direct, explicit instruction in reading skills and strategies, and guide students through texts where they practice the skills and strategies they have learned. We are serious about the importance of reading and recognize that reading instruction must continue beyond the primary grades. Our improvement plans involve our entire faculty, which is committed to delivering a quality instructional program.
- Students read a variety of narrative and informational texts for a variety of purposes (class assignments, research -assigned and personal interest-, and recreation).
- Elementary students are enrolled in classes where they learn how to use the library, are assisted with choosing books for recreational reading, and apply newly learned grade-level-appropriate research skills.
- The faculty is involved in review of research and study of best practices through professional book clubs and staff development participation.
- Teachers and assistants receive in-service training in reading strategies - across all grade levels and in all content areas.
- In 2005 we implemented a guided reading program in grades 1-5. Supported by the purchase of two Scholastic leveled guided reading libraries and professional development to include training specific to the Scholastic program, teachers provide essential instruction to small groups of students utilizing texts at their instructional level.
- Teachers and assistants use ongoing diagnostic assessments to monitor student growth and to tailor their instruction to student needs and strengths.
- Teachers and assistants use assessment information to provide immediate, targeted interventions for struggling students and challenging assignments for those who demonstrate proficiency.
- The ES principal, the curriculum coordinator, and teachers meet to discuss assessment results and their implications and support needed for our instructional program.
- All students, grades 2-5, complete the Scholastic Reading Inventory three times a year. This computerized assessment assigns students a Lexile scale that gives them an idea of how their reading is improving and helps them find books to read at an appropriate, or "just right" reading level. Teachers use this information to help determine guided reading groupings, make text selections, and to identify those students who may need extra support accessing course textbooks to understand important content.
SOCIAL STUDIES
The topics being taught in Social Studies and Science may not exactly match what is taught in every US school district, but the children will have the skills to do research, think for themselves, and problem solve.
CHARACTER EDUCATION IN THE ES
Our elementary students are exposed to a learning community designed to help them develop important personal skills and habits. Here at ACS we see ourselves as a caring community of learners who value the quality of our human relationships. We have a character education program, CHARACTER COUNTS, designed to instill in our students respect and integrity.
The first aspect of this program is the Code of Ethics. Each student memorize and learn the code of ethics and are expected to act in a manner that reflects this knowledge. When a problem arises, the students will need to discuss what they did against the code and what they will do differently in the future. This is for both classroom and school use.
Hurt no one on the inside or outside
Respect your school and all its property
Special places require special behavior
The second aspect of our character program is called Acts of Kindness. This part is in place to recognize those students who do nice, kind, and appropriate things. They will receive a "ticket." Students are to write their name on the paper and deposit it into the Random Acts of Kindness box. Prior to the assembly, a student's name will be drawn and the student will be recognized.
The third aspect of the program will help us focus on necessary skills and habits and we shall, over the course of the year, cover nine monthly themes. The themes are Respect, Honesty, Patience, Compassion, Courage, Friendship, Integrity, Acceptance and Cooperation. For each character trait a picture book will be read to each class to illustrate that trait. Teachers will read and discuss the book with their class the first week of the month.
As parents, you are our most important partners in the education of our children. Let us together, expect the best from our children, and receive the best in return. I look forward to working in partnership with you this year.
Parents are encouraged to participate in their child's education by volunteering at ACS. This can be in the classroom, or helping any of the Specialist teachers. Parents are invited to eat lunch with their child and working parents are encouraged to slip out for a wonderful school lunch and surprise their child.