Coolspring Elementary School Curriculum
Coolspring students benefit from a variety of educational programs that address core curriculum in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
Language Arts - K-5 teachers have many resources to address the learning needs of students. All teachers have the Making Meaning program to help address comprehension needs of the learners in their classrooms. Making Meaning is a research-based comprehension curriculum that is based on current research and supports social and ethical learning. Classrooms have the Harcourt Basal Reading Program to further support student reading fluency and comprehension. In addition to this, each K-2 classroom uses Fundations to implement strategies that address phonemic awareness and phonics with all learners. Pre-K and full day kindergarten is offered to all students attending Marsh School. In addition, classroom teachers K-5 have begun to implement the Daily 5 Language Arts structure to build independence for literacy learners. This has enabled teachers to begin using small group guided reading instruction with all students based on instructional reading levels. Two sections of Read 180 have been implemented for fourth and fifth grade students that did not pass Spring 2009 ISTEP+ in English/Language Arts.
Resources:
Guided Reading Level/Lexile Range Benchmark Expectations
Writing - Each classroom has Write Source that focuses on 6+1 Traits of Writing, and grade level teams share Being A Writer that also focuses on 6+1 Traits of Writing. Write Source focuses on the technical aspect of writing and development, while Being A Writer works to develop the creativity and skills by immersing learners in trade books to study the various writing genres. Both writing programs complement one another in classroom learning.
Math - Everyday Mathematics is used in K-5 classrooms to address student needs in mathematics. Since the use of Everyday Mathematics which began in 2004, ISTEP+ scores have been positively impacted. A pacing guide is used district-wide to help address the transient student population within the district. Instructional assistants work with students to address areas of need in mathematics.
Resources:
Resources by Grade Level:
Science and Social Studies - These subject areas are often integrated into the language arts block to address learning needs. All classrooms use Science Kits which are part of the Indiana Science Initiative.
