Academics

Reading, math, writing, language arts, science, and social studies are the core of our curriculum, but that is just the beginning of our well rounded learning experience. We are a cooperative learning school where individuals share, help, encourage and support each other’s efforts to achieve and be productive. 

Click on each grade level to the left to see grade level information including curriculum that students will be working on.

 
Washington Shores “Academic Culture”

Mathematics

Go Math (at least 60 mins) & Math Your Way (at least 20-30 mins)

Let DATA drive your instruction

Use Scope and Sequence (timeline) / 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 frequency words)

Shared reading above reading ability

“AR” program (30-40 min. per day recommended)