Curriculum

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Curriculum Night Presentation



In Focus Program Curriculum Summary

The In Focus program is a comprehensive social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum designed to foster the development of crucial life skills in students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The program's core focus is on improving students' emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and social skills, empowering them to navigate challenges and build meaningful relationships.

Key features of the In Focus curriculum include:

  • Brain-based approach: Lessons incorporate neuroscience research to optimize learning and student engagement.

  • Daily lessons: Brief 10-15 minute sessions make it easy to implement into existing routines.

  • Sequential structure: Lessons build upon each other, creating a cohesive learning experience.

  • Comprehensive skill development: Curriculum addresses a wide range of SEL competencies including self-management, self-awareness, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness.  

  • Additional benefits: The program also supports academic performance, reduces bullying and impulsive behavior, improves conflict resolution skills, and elevates self-esteem.

  • Teacher support: Resources such as scripts, background information, and at-home activities are provided to enhance implementation.

  • Culturally responsive: Lessons are designed to be inclusive and consider the diverse backgrounds of all students.



UFLI

 

We are excited to introduce you to the UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) Program, a research-based literacy program designed to support your child’s reading development. UFLI focuses on building strong foundational skills in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, which are essential for becoming confident, successful readers.

 

Key Components of the UFLI Program:

 

1. Phonemic Awareness: Activities that help children recognize and manipulate the sounds in spoken words, a critical skill for learning to read.

2. Phonics: Systematic instruction in the relationship between letters and sounds, enabling children to decode words.

3. Fluency: Practice in reading with accuracy, speed, and expression, making reading smooth and enjoyable.

4. Vocabulary: Expanding the number of words children know and understand, which helps with reading comprehension and overall language development.

5. Comprehension: Strategies that teach children to understand, remember, and communicate what they read.

 

How UFLI Supports Your Child:

 

• Individualized Instruction: UFLI provides targeted lessons based on each child’s current reading level and specific needs.

• Small Group Learning: Children receive focused attention in small groups, ensuring they get the support necessary to develop their reading skills.

• Engaging Activities: UFLI lessons are interactive and fun, helping to keep children motivated and excited about reading.

 

Your Role as a Parent:

 

• Practice at Home: Encourage your child to practice reading at home by listening to them read and discussing stories together.

• Communication: Stay in touch with your child’s teacher about their progress and any additional support they might need.

 

We are thrilled to bring the UFLI Program into our first-grade classrooms and look forward to seeing the growth in your child’s reading abilities. Thank you for your support in fostering a love of reading in our young learners!

 




Literacy Footprints Guided Reading Program Summary:

Literacy Footprints is a comprehensive guided reading system created by Jan Richardson and Michèle Dufresne. The program is designed to support teachers, intervention specialists, and other educators in teaching reading and writing to students from kindergarten through sixth grade.

Key Features:

  • Leveled Readers: The program includes a vast collection of high-quality leveled texts spanning various genres, ensuring students can access appropriately challenging materials.

  • Structured Lessons: Lesson cards guide teachers through each reading, following Jan Richardson's "Next Step" format. Lessons integrate reading, writing, and phonics instruction.

  • Word Study and Phonics: Lessons incorporate explicit word study and phonics instruction based on "The Next Step Forward in Word Study," ensuring systematic skills development.

  • Teaching Tools: Unique tools support teachers in delivering effective instruction, such as magnetic letters, pocket charts, and more.

  • Digital Resources: Digital components like pre-recorded lessons and e-books enhance accessibility and provide additional support.

  • Research-Based: The program is grounded in research on effective literacy instruction, incorporating best practices in guided reading, comprehension, phonics, and more.

Benefits:

  • Systematic Skill Development: Literacy Footprints provides a structured and sequential approach to literacy instruction, ensuring students progress steadily.

  • Differentiated Instruction: Leveled texts and flexible grouping allow teachers to tailor instruction to meet the diverse needs of their students.

  • Engaging Materials: High-quality texts and engaging activities foster a love of reading and writing.

  • Teacher Support: Comprehensive lesson plans and teaching tools empower teachers to deliver effective instruction.

FUNdations Level 1 System Summary:

FUNdations Level 1 is a structured literacy program designed for first-grade students, building on the foundational skills learned in Kindergarten. It focuses on developing accuracy in decoding, spelling, and handwriting through a systematic and multisensory approach.

Key Features:

  • Reinforces Basic Skills: Reviews and solidifies letter-sound relationships, including consonants, short vowels, and basic digraphs (ch, sh, th, wh, ck).

  • Introduces Word Structure: Teaches students to identify and manipulate word structures such as blends, digraphs, base words, suffixes, and syllable types (closed and vowel-consonant-e).

  • Develops Decoding and Spelling: Students learn to read and spell words with common spelling patterns (CVC, CCVC, CVCC, CCVCC, CVCe) and high-frequency words, including irregular words (Trick Words).

  • Integrates Handwriting: Explicit handwriting instruction is included to develop proper letter formation and fluency.

  • Multisensory Approach: Incorporates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements to enhance learning and retention.

  • Sequential and Systematic: Lessons follow a carefully planned sequence, ensuring mastery of skills before moving to more complex concepts.

Benefits:

  • Builds a Strong Foundation: Provides explicit and systematic instruction in foundational literacy skills essential for reading and writing success.

  • Improves Decoding and Spelling: Equips students with strategies to decode and spell increasingly complex words.

  • Enhances Handwriting: Develops legible and fluent handwriting skills.

  • Supports Struggling Readers: Provides targeted intervention for students who need additional support in foundational literacy skills.


Write From the Beginning Program Summary

Write From the Beginning is a comprehensive writing curriculum designed to foster strong writing skills in students from kindergarten through fifth grade. The program emphasizes a balanced approach to writing instruction, focusing on the writing process, grammar, mechanics, and writing across various genres.

Key features of Write From the Beginning include:

  • Focus on the Writing Process: Students are guided through pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing, ensuring they understand and apply each stage effectively.

  • Explicit Grammar Instruction: Systematic grammar lessons are integrated throughout the curriculum, providing students with a strong foundation in language conventions.

  • Genre-Based Writing: Students learn to write in various genres such as narratives, informative texts, and persuasive essays, developing their ability to adapt their writing style and structure to different purposes and audiences.

  • Teacher Support: The program provides comprehensive teacher's guides, student workbooks, and digital resources to facilitate effective instruction and student learning.

  • Scaffolding and Differentiation: Lessons are designed to support all learners, offering scaffolding and differentiation options to accommodate varying skill levels.


Envision First Grade Math Program Summary:

Envision First Grade Math is a comprehensive mathematics curriculum designed to build a strong foundation in mathematical concepts and skills for young learners. It emphasizes a balanced approach, incorporating hands-on activities, visual representations, and problem-solving strategies to foster conceptual understanding and procedural fluency.

Key Features:

  • Problem-Based Learning: Lessons are centered around real-world problems and scenarios, encouraging students to apply math skills in meaningful contexts.

  • Visual Learning: Uses a variety of visual models and manipulatives to help students visualize and understand mathematical concepts.

  • Differentiated Instruction: Provides resources and activities to support diverse learners, including those who need additional support or challenge.

  • Focus on Critical Thinking: Encourages students to analyze, reason, and communicate their mathematical thinking, developing their problem-solving skills.

  • Technology Integration: Incorporates digital tools and interactive resources to enhance learning and engagement.

Curriculum Content:

  • Number Sense: Counting, number recognition, place value, addition, subtraction, comparing and ordering numbers.

  • Measurement and Data: Measuring length, time, and weight, collecting and representing data, interpreting graphs.

  • Geometry: Identifying and describing shapes, composing and decomposing shapes, spatial reasoning.

Benefits:

  • Develops Conceptual Understanding: Helps students understand the "why" behind math concepts, not just the "how."

  • Promotes Problem-Solving: Provides opportunities for students to apply math skills to solve real-world problems.

  • Supports Differentiated Learning: Offers resources and activities to meet the needs of all learners.

  • Engages Students: Uses hands-on activities, visuals, and technology to make math fun and engaging.



Thinking Maps Program Summary:

Thinking Maps is a visual learning tool that uses eight graphic organizers to represent different thought processes. These maps help students organize information, understand complex concepts, and improve critical thinking skills across various subjects.

Key Features:

  • Eight Visual Organizers: The eight maps include the Circle Map, Bubble Map, Double Bubble Map, Tree Map, Brace Map, Flow Map, Multi-Flow Map, and Bridge Map, each designed for a specific thinking process.

  • Versatile Application: Applicable across different grade levels and subject areas, promoting cross-curricular connections.

  • Promotes Metacognition: Encourages students to reflect on their thinking processes and make them more visible.

  • Improves Communication: Provides a visual language for students to express their ideas clearly and effectively.

  • Enhances Comprehension and Retention: Helps students organize and synthesize information, leading to better understanding and recall.

Benefits:

  • Develops Critical Thinking Skills: Supports higher-order thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

  • Enhances Reading and Writing Skills: Helps students organize their thoughts for comprehension and written expression.

  • Supports Differentiated Instruction: Accommodates different learning styles and abilities, making learning accessible to all.

  • Fosters Collaboration: Encourages students to work together, share ideas, and build on each other's thinking.