CurriculumNEW! Building Math Fluency - Click this link for information about supporting student fact fluency in Math.
SummaryGlacier Park’s curriculum, which was written to meet the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements, integrates the content areas of social studies, science and the arts, with basic skills instruction in reading, writing and communication. The curriculum has been organized into three theme-based units per year, with one from each of three strands: America , the world and scientific systems. Lessons were designed to teach and reinforce thinking skills strategies such as finding evidence and problem-solving. Habits of Mind including persistence, empathy and precision are taught and applied in activities and projects. We believe that children learn best when they can make connections. Therefore our curriculum builds on connections among content, themes, thinking skills, literacy skills and life experiences. Our District Outcomes of Effective Communicator, Quality Producer, Self-Directed Learner, Community Contributor, Complex Thinker and Collaborative Worker are overarching goals. In addition to our integrated studies, students spend part of every day working on literacy skills. Our comprehensive reading program includes instruction in letter-sound relationships, sight words, vocabulary and comprehension strategies. Teaching methods include small guided reading groups, shared reading, literacy circles and individualized reading. Students learn to read and understand fiction, non-fiction and poetry, and they develop the ability to make literary choices and set goals. Students learn and practice writing skills in the areas of organization, word choice, ideas, fluency, voice and conventions (grammar, punctuation and spelling). Teachers provide opportunities for students to write about self-selected topics as well as respond to specific writing prompts. Students learn to utilize the writing process steps of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing and publishing. An Author's Hour as well as a Celebration of Learning are held each year, where students share their writing and other academic accomplishments with others. Math is taught in an integrated manner so that children see the connections within math areas and learn through real-life applications. We use the Everyday Math Program. Our students learn basic computation skills and develop skills and concepts in number sense, measurement, geometry, probability, statistics and algebra. In addition, problem solving is a critical component of our mathematics instruction. Students learn to solve complex problems and to explain their thinking. Our PTSA coordinates an Art Docent program which introduces students to a variety of artists and art techniques and a reading incentive program. Our staff includes a librarian and specialists in music, P.E., technology, special education, reading and math. Before and after school classes are offered free of charge to Glacier Park students. Offerings include academic support, art, science, school newspaper, drama, sports, technology, Math Olympiad, debate, chess club, poetry, book club, choir and band. The Glacier Park School Community is dedicated to supporting the well-being of each student and to fostering the development of lifelong learners. We welcome visitors and feel proud of our learning environment! |