Curriculum Information

Kindergarten-2nd Grade

Stedman adopted the district supported Benchmark Literacy Curriculum for K-2^nd grade in 2018. Benchmark Literacy is a comprehensive, research-proven program that empowers teachers with tools for vertically aligned reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language instruction.

• Builds foundational skills such as phonics, word study, and fluency
• Scaffolds ALL students to access complex informational and literary texts
• Guides students to use text evidence in close reading
• Provides opportunities for students to develop collaborative conversations
• Develops writers by teaching writing process and writing to sources

For more information about Benchmark please visit: https://benchmarkeducation.com/

3^rd Grade – 4^th Grade

EL Education’s curriculum is a comprehensive, standards-based literacy program that engages teachers and students through compelling, real world content. The curriculum addresses an expanded definition of student achievement – building students’ academic knowledge and skills, habits of character, and high quality student work. EL Education believes that when students complete school and enter adult life, they will be judged for the rest of their lives not by their performance on tests, but by the quality of their work and the quality of their character. EL Education’s vision of student achievement therefore has 3 dimensions:

1. Mastery of knowledge and skills: Students demonstrate proficiency and deeper understanding, apply their learning, think critically, and communicate clearly.
2. Character: Students work to become effective learners, to become ethical people, and to contribute to a better world.
3. High-quality work: Students create complex work, demonstrate craftsmanship, and create authentic work.

Module Topics:

Kindergarten – Toys and Play, Weather Wonders, Trees, Preserving Trees

Grade 1 – Tools and Work, The Sun and the Moon, Birds, Protecting Birds

Grade 2 – Schools and Community, Fossils and the Changing Earth, Plants and Pollinators, Promoting Gardens

Grade 3 – Overcoming Learning Challenges Near and Far, Connecting Literary and Informational Texts to Study Culture, Wolves: Fact and Fiction, The Role of Freshwater Around the World

Grade 4 – Poetry and Becoming Writers, Animal Defense Mechanisms, Simple Machines, The Suffrage Movement and the Importance of Voting

Grade 5 – Stories of Human Rights, Biodiversity in the Rainforest, Athletes as Leaders of Change, Natural Disasters in the Western Hemisphere

 

Math – Bridges in Mathematics

Your child’s classroom will use Bridges in Mathematics second edition, a comprehensive curriculum for grades K–5. Bridges is a rigorous program designed to address the new math standards in a way that’s enjoyable and accessible to all learners. The curriculum focuses on developing in students a deep understanding of math concepts, proficiency with key skills, and the ability to solve new and complex problems. Learning activities tap into the intelligence and strengths all students have by presenting mathematically powerful material alive with language, pictures, and movement. Students in a Bridges classroom talk about math, describe observations, explain methods, and ask questions. They are encouraged to find multiple ways to solve problems and show different ways of thinking. This is a vital way to help students build more flexible and efficient ways to solve increasingly complex problems. Hands-on activities engage them in exploring, developing, testing, discussing, and applying mathematical concepts.

Bridges features a combination of whole-group, small-group, and independent activities that are problem centered.

• Problems & Investigations often begin with a problem posed to the whole class. Students think and work independently or talk in pairs before sharing and comparing strategies and solutions as a whole class. The teacher monitors and guides the class discussion to make sure that students understand important mathematical concepts.
• Work Places are engaging math exploration activities that reinforce key skills. The teacher observes and interacts to address students’ need for support and enrichment.
• Number Corner is a skill-building program that revolves around the classroom calendar and gives students an active role. They receive daily practice as well as steady encounters with broader mathematical concepts.
• Home Connections assignments are sent home at the discretion of your child’s teacher. At times, your child may bring home math games or activities for you to enjoy together, but the main role for parents is not to teach but to guide your student and take an interest in their work. You’ll be receiving Unit Overviews throughout the year that explain the math concepts the class is currently focused on and suggest specific ways you may support your child.

 

Visit the Support for Families page on the Math Learning Center website, where you will find:

•  Unit overviews that explain what your child will be learning
•  Tips for helping your child with homework
•  Links to more information about each grade level of Bridges
•  Links to additional resources, including books and free online games

Support for Families: mathlearningcenter.org/families

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La clase de su hijo utilizará Bridges in Mathematics segunda edición, un plan de estudios integral para los grados de K–5. Bridges es un programa riguroso diseñado para tratar los nuevos estándares matemáticos de manera que sea divertido y accesible para todos los educandos. El plan de estudios se enfoca en el desarrollo en estudiantes con una comprensión profunda de los conceptos matemáticos, destreza con las habilidades clave y la capacidad para resolver problemas nuevos y complejos. Las actividades de aprendizaje aprovechan la inteligencia y fortaleza que tienen todos los estudiantes al presentar material matemáticamente potente con idioma, dibujos y movimiento. Los estudiantes en una clase de Bridges hablan sobre las matemáticas, describen las observaciones, explican los métodos y hacen preguntas. Se les motiva a encontrar varias maneras de resolver problemas y mostrar diferentes maneras de razonamiento. Esta es una manera vital para ayudar a los estudiantes a general maneras más flexibles y eficientes para resolver problemas que aumentan en complejidad. Las actividades prácticas los involucran en la exploración, desarrollo, pruebas, discusión y aplicación de conceptos matemáticos.

 

Bridges presenta una combinación de actividades de grupo entero, grupos pequeños y actividades independientes que se centran en un problema.

1. Los problemas e investigaciones con frecuencia empiezan con un problema que se presenta a toda la clase. Los estudiantes piensan y trabajan de forma independiente o hablan en pares antes de compartir y comparar estrategias y soluciones como clase. El maestro supervisa y guía la discusión en clase para asegurarse de que los estudiantes comprendan los conceptos matemáticos importantes.
2. Work Places son interesantes actividades de exploración matemática que refuerzan las habilidades clave. El maestro observa e interactúa para encargarse de la necesidad de los estudiantes de apoyo y enriquecimiento.
3. Number Corner es un programa de generación de habilidades que se desenvuelve alrededor de un calendario de clases y da a los estudiantes un papel activo. Reciben prácticas diarias así como también encuentros constantes con conceptos matemáticos más amplios.
4. Las tareas Home Connections se envían a casa a discreción del maestro de su hijo. En algún momento, su hijo llevará a casa juegos o actividades matemáticas para que disfruten juntos, pero la función principal para los padres no es enseñar sino guiar a su estudiante y tomar interés en sus trabajos. Recibirá Síntesis de las unidades durante todo el año que explican los conceptos matemáticos en que actualmente se enfoca la clase y le sugieren maneras específicas para apoyar a su hijo.

Visite la página Apoyo para las familias en el sitio Web Math Learning Center, donde encontrará:

• Síntesis de las unidades que explican qué aprenderá su hijo
• Sugerencias para ayudar a su hijo con las tareas
• Enlaces a más información sobre cada nivel de grado de Bridges
• Enlaces a materiales de consulta adicionales, incluso libros y juegos gratuitos en línea

Apoyo para familias: mathlearningcenter.org/families