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)