Curriculum

Literacy

Students are generally "learning to read" in grades K-3 and then they "read to phonemic awareness, phonics, picture clues, and comprehension skills. Some students need more experiences and time to learn these skills. Others have highly developed phonics skills and vocabulary enabling them to read fluently, but they may not have comparable comprehension skills.

All students are exposed to many kinds of literature and are encouraged to check out books from our media center. Reading instruction uses quality literature that students find appealing and motivating to read. Students are tested to determine specific skills that still need to be mastered. Teachers use different approaches to teaching these skills.

Students in grades 1-6 who have not met certain expectations in reading will have an Individualized Literacy Plan (ILP) developed by both teachers and parents. Additional assistance in this learning process is provided for these students. Our goal is to have all students reach grade level expectations in reading by the end of third grade. If not, we continue to provide additional support for this development to occur. We strongly encourage students with an ILP to attend summer school not only to maintain but also to increase their skills.

Students are expected to read daily at home, which is essential for continued growth in skills and confidence in reading. Some teachers have reporting systems to account for nightly reading. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child's home reading.

Written Language

Written language is an integral part of the literacy program at each grade. The reading materials are used to involve students in looking at the mechanics of writing, in finding out the purposes for writing, and
in analyzing good models of written language. Students write, edit, re-write, publish, and share written pieces with each other, the teacher and other adults. As students progress through the grades, they learn the conventions and formats of writing, how to do research and produce a report, and how to use different styles of writing for different purposes. Writing becomes a component in all subject areas as students learn to express and communicate information they have acquired from different sources. Writing is examined and scored using rubrics devised by the teacher, school or district that are similar to the type of scoring used on the state CSAP tests. Students are also encouraged to become familiar with the expectations of the rubrics as a means of improving their own work.

Spelling

The district has adopted a joint program that uses the Scope and Sequence from a traditional program and the expectations of the Rebecca Sitton program designed to help students spell correctly in their daily writing. The spelling program is based upon a series of spelling skills and the 1200 "Most Frequently Used" words often called Priority Words. Students will work on personal words from content areas and misspelled words from their daily work. Grade level Priority Words in daily writing and words not mastered will be added to individual spelling lists. These words may be called "recycled" words. The spelling grade is mostly weighted on how well a student spells in his/her daily writing. Contact teachers for specific expectations for your child.

Mathematics

Shepardson Students are assessed, taught, and reassessed in mathematics, according to the district and state mathematics content standards. Teachers strive to present a balanced program at each grade level with materials and activities appropriate for the age and grade of the child. All strands of math are covered in ways to achieve a balanced and integrated view of patterns, number sense, geometry, measurement, data, probability, and computation. Students take a problem solving approach to math and communicate their reasoning and solutions in written and verbal presentations.

Timed tests are given periodically in grades 2-6 to assess growth and learning needs. Students who have quick recall are less frustrated during the mathematical learning and thinking process. Mastery of the facts by fourth grade is essential to become skillful with the more complicated math processes. Parents are asked to assist their children in the learning of these facts.

Science

FOSS (Full Option Science System) is our adopted science program for K-6. It is an interactive and hands-on approach to learning key science concepts and processes. Teachers expand the teaching of this area to meet the expectations of standards.

Eco-Week 

Sixth grade students study ecology and the Colorado eco-zones to meet the criterion for Standard 3 in both Science and Geography relating to the study of life science and the earth. As part of this study, sixth graders at Shepardson will attend a three-day/two night outdoor educational program at Pingree Park. The experience includes environmental and adventure education with classes, hikes, and team building. The cost will be split between parents, PTO and Shepardson.

Health and Safety

Health standards are used to guide the instruction. The Human Growth and Development Program has been especially developed for this school district by parents and teachers. The content in this sensitive area is more involved in grades 5 and 6. Parents are invited to attend a parent meeting prior to this instruction at those two grades.

The counselor supports some of the health and safety instruction with students. The counselor also uses the Second Step, No Bullying and Peer Mediation programs to help students develop skills and confidence in their abilities to respond appropriately in social situations as well as develop the expectations for a respectful learning environment.

Here's Looking At You, a drug and alcohol refusal program, is team-taught in the sixth grade by the school counselor with support of the classroom teacher. Influential community speakers are invited to share meaningful and relevant information.

Social Studies

Social studies standards focus on history, economics, and geography. Different textbooks, novels, and units of study are used to develop identified knowledge and skills (standards.)

Technology

Technology standards have been adopted for each grade level. All students are expected to perform specific technology tasks upon their exit from elementary school. The classroom teachers and technology assistant or media specialist teach these skills. Our goal is to provide meaningful tasks that integrate other content learning with technology skills serving as a means of learning and presentation. A computer lab provides large group instruction. Mini-labs, classroom computers, and media center workstations are used to provide additional time as needed.

Keyboarding

District expectations for proficiency by grade level are as follows:

• 4th: 10 - 12 wpm
• 5th: 15 - 20 wpm
• 6th: 20 - 25 wpm

All three grades are expected to reach the wpm goal using correct fingering on all keys to be considered satisfactory. Keyboarding grades are based upon timed assessments. Keyboarding is taught using a variety of methods: Tap Rap presents the reaches through a rap using the keys which match the letter of the alphabet. All The Right Type is interactive software which allows students to practice at their own pace. Parents may purchase copies of the latter program for home study.