Academics
The Colonial School District’s Board of Education adopted curriculum, instructional strategies and assessments are based on the State of Delaware Prioritized Content Standards, The Common Core State Standards and standards established by national associations (NCTM, NCTE, NSDC, etc.) through replicated research.
Technology
Pleasantville believes in the importance of exposing our students to many different learning opportunities. One way in doing so is by providing students with the use of technology. Laptops and Chromebooks are available for each classroom so that students may access online resources and also create projects to showcase what they have learned. In addition to these tools, each student is given access to their own personal Google Drive account which they can use to publish writing, share documents, create slideshows, and upload videos. You can access your child’s Google Drive account by clicking here. Not sure how to login? Ask your child’s teacher or use the login information below.
Google Drive Login:
Student ID: Lunch#@colonial.k12.de.us
Password: Child’s Date of birth (ex: 03212007)
English Language Arts
Individualized learning is our goal. In order to do so, our teachers choose resources and materials that fit the needs of each of their students. We also believe in the power of student choice. Many of our students have opportunities in which they can choose books that are the right fit for them, and also choose how they will learn and practice the reading skills and content being taught. Below is a list of resources and approaches in which our teachers use to instruct Language Arts.
RAZ Kids: Students are provided with choices of ebooks that fit their reading level. Students can choose to read books, listen to books, and also take quizzes about what they have read. Another great feature about this site is that students earn tokens for successful completion of reading and quizzes. Teachers and parents can view and track student progress in and outside of the classroom. Click on the “RAZ Kids” heading to view the RAZ kids website.
Reading A-Z: Reading A-Z is a resource which is affiliated with RAZ kids. This resource is used by teachers only, though leveled texts and other supplements can be printed and shared with students, as well as projected onto classroom Smartboards. The texts seen on Reading A-Z are the same texts in which students have the option of choosing on their RAZ Kids account. Another great feature of Reading A-Z is that these resources are organized by specific reading skills and Common Core Standards. This helps to ensure that your child is reading authentic texts that connect to the content they are learning, and also provide practice opportunities for reading skills.
Scholastic News: Each month, classrooms are delivered a set of Scholastic News Magazines which are used as an additional supplement during Language Arts lessons. Students receive their own copy and are able to take home the magazine when they are no longer needed in school. Scholastic News Magazines include articles about many different topics and sometimes include quizzes, games, and other activities for students to try independently and/or with a partner.
NewsELA: NewsELA is a resource our teachers use to find nonfiction texts, as well as current events that can be studied and discussed during Language Arts and Social Studies. Texts can be scaffolded for students depending on their grade level and/or reading level, and many texts also include discussion topics and questions that teachers can utilize in their classrooms. Through this resource students are exposed to social, economical, and real world events that can then be connected to the content and skills being taught within their classroom.
Mathematics
Investigations in Number, Data, and Space
The Investigations curriculum represents the culmination of over 20 years of research and development aimed at improving the teaching and learning of elementary mathematics. Six major goals guided the development of Investigations. The curriculum is designed to:
- Support students to make sense of mathematics and learn that they can be mathematical thinkers.
- Focus on computational fluency with whole numbers as a major goal of the elementary grade.
- Provide substantive work in important areas of mathematics—rational numbers, geometry, measurement, data, and early algebra—and connections among them.
- Emphasize reasoning about mathematical ideas.
- Communicate mathematics content and pedagogy to teachers.
- Engage the range of learners in understanding mathematics.
Science
The STC Program™ is a basal, inquiry-based science curriculum for grades K–10 that covers life, earth, and physical sciences with technology. STC™ was developed by the National Science Resources Center based on research into how students learn best. The NSRC was established by the National Academies and the Smithsonian Institution.
FOSS is a research-based science curriculum for grades K—8 developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley. FOSS is also an ongoing research project dedicated to improving the learning and teaching of science. The FOSS project began over 20 years ago during a time of growing concern that our nation was not providing young students with an adequate science education. The FOSS program materials are designed to meet the challenge of providing meaningful science education for all students in diverse American classrooms and to prepare them for life in the 21st century. Development of the FOSS program was, and continues to be, guided by advances in the understanding of how youngsters think and learn.
Social Studies
Set your sights on Harcourt Horizons. This new Social Studies program provides relevant content, skills lessons, and reading and vocabulary support — as well as partnerships with Time For Kids, CNN/Turner Learning, Reading Rainbow, and MapQuest that add depth of understanding.
Handwriting
The HWT curriculum starts when children enter kindergarten. By playing, singing and building letters, they develop important skills they need to print words, sentences, paragraphs, and eventually transition to cursive.
State of Delaware