Kindergarten - 5th Grade Curriculum

Overview of Curriculum

Our curriculum in all subject areas is based on international standards and learning benchmarks. These standards and benchmarks illustrate what we believe to be the most important concepts, knowledge and skills at each grade level.

In Math and Literacy, we have adopted Common Core Curriculum Standards which are recognized by the International Baccalaureate as an effective learning pathway for success in the Diploma Program.

Next Generation Science Standards in grades K-5 provide the framework for the science curriculum. Our ASM Makerspace supports project-based learning and is intended as a STEM lab to provide meaningful and authentic problem solving opportunities.

Throughout the elementary years, starting as early as Kindergarten, children explore the arts, music, physical education, world languages, science, technology and library science. Children also attend Italian for both native and non-native speakers. Native speakers follow the Italian national language curriculum to develop and maintain their Italian. Beginning English speakers are supported by our English language teachers to focus on developing basic language competence.

All children participate in regular guidance lessons through our Social and Emotional Curriculum PATHS© Program (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies) Students are instructed on fundamental ‘soft’ skills that promote cooperation, responsibility and self-regulation as the basis to their social/emotional development. We believe that these are as essential as their academic progress to support their learning.

Students diagnosed with mild to moderate learning needs are provided with targeted support in math, literacy and phonics. Our learning support specialists design lessons with small groups both inside the classroom setting or in additional sessions outside of the class.

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Additional Curriculum

The Social Curriculum

Our social curriculum program helps children learn the skills they need to manage their relationships with each other as well as with the adults in their lives.

Our elementary guidance counselor visits each classroom bi-monthly to introduce children to social skills through the PATHS® curriculum (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies) which is a comprehensive program that promotes emotional and social competencies.

To help integrate the ASM Social Curriculum, our teachers implement Responsive Classroom strategies into their daily classroom activities. This program combines students’ academic achievement with the development of social skills.

Our students begin their day with a ‘Morning Meeting’ as a way to build classroom community and a positive climate for learning.

We believe that developing fundamental learning dispositions such as cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy and self-regulation are fundamental for growth.

Learning and Support Interventions

Our primary goal is to support the individual needs of all of our students in a safe, caring and dynamic environment that encourages each child to grow and mature academically, socially, emotionally and physically.

ASM supports students with mild to moderate learning needs who have a documented diagnosis. We also offer early reading support using the Wilson Reading Intervention Program.

Student learning is supported by our learning specialists who work in small groups, or with individuals to target each child’s specific areas of need.

Homework

Homework is structured to review and reflect learning that is ongoing in the classroom, and to prepare students for the next day’s lesson.

Homework is usually assigned on a weekly basis in the areas of reading, math and writing. Additional projects such as research, presentations, and topics related to science or units of inquiry may be assigned.

Italian A students (native speakers) will receive additional weekly homework. Homework is assigned as developmentally appropriate for each grade and in general will correspond to the following: (first grade = 10 minutes, second grade = 20 minutes, third grade = 30 minutes, etc).

That said, at times there will be variations and each child is different and may take more time or less time than our school’s recommendations.

Assessment & Reporting

Assessment in K- 2 is conducted through individual student testing, and guided by grade level standards. Teachers regularly assess student progress by:

● Identifying what and how the student is thinking and learning

● Analyzing the achievements of the student and identifying areas for improvement

● Setting goals for learning and reflecting on strengths and weaknesses

Parent teacher conferences are held twice a year, first in the fall and then again in the spring. Conferences are valuable moments for parents to meet with their child’s teachers. This is also an opportunity for teachers to share academic, social and emotional strengths and goals and for parents to gain an understanding of how best they can support learning.

In January and June, families receive official student report documents which provide feedback on progress of grade level standards, as well as on students’ attitudes to learning and social skills.

Parents will also be able to monitor their child’s progress regularly in all areas of their learning such as reading, writing and math through, Seesaw, a digital portfolio platform.

In addition, work will be sent home each week in the Friday folder.