Washington Shores “Academic Culture”
Mathematics
Envision Mathematics (at least 60 mins) & Math Your Way (at least 20-30 mins)
Let DATA drive your instruction
Use Scope and Sequence (time line) / Teach with the Benchmarks /Standards
Cover all five strands / Bring in many resources
Build daily Math vocabulary / Build lesson time plus 15 strategies
Make connections to “real life” situations
Use daily FCAT style Q’s (SR, ER, Gridded, MC)
Write daily to verify understanding (concepts, processes & solutions)
Use creative thinking and problem solving strategies
Use manipulatives as much as possible
Create a Mathematics environment – Fill room w/ examples of real world math
FCAT Writing
Write Traits (Grades 1-3) FCAT Expository & Narrative Writing (Grades 4-5)
Target pre-writing, brainstorming using graphic organizers
Target specific graphic organizers, transition words, and conclusion words per grade level
Bi-weekly prompts with emphasis in Science / Social Studies
Use rubric to score papers (teacher and student)
Model how to write daily
Practice using main idea with supporting details
Create time element for each sub section (ex.: reading prompt, graphic organizer, writing)
Practice prompts under timed conditions
Short & Extended Response Questions
Language Arts / Science / Social Studies
Use Science/Social Studies to build themes (2 Science, 1 Social Studies, 2 Literature)
Teach text features (heading, subheading, graphs, captions, etc.)
Teach with the Benchmarks /Standards
Let DATA drive your instruction / Use Differentiated Instructional Strategies
Curriculum should not be driven from textbook!
Use 60% informational text and 40% non-informational text
Apply FCAT 12 with all reading pieces
Use content walls
Bloom Taxonomy Questioning / Use High Yield Strategies in planning lessons
Teacher modeling before, during, & after lessons
I Do (modeling), We Do (practice together), You Do (independent)
Target with “5 WH” questions (who, what, where, when, how)
Make connections across curriculum and real life issues
Build VOCABULARY in all content area
Spelling w/ syn./ant/analogies/content words/high freg. words)
Shared reading above reading ability
“AR” program (30-40 min. per day recommended