Academic Programs

READING 

Our program incorporates whole language and strong phonics instruction to ensure that students develop a firm reading foundation. We use HMH’s Into Reading curriculum for literature and informational text comprehension. As a supplement, we use Wired for Reading’s Word Wires to build a solid phonics foundation, teaching students to understand how their mouth forms sounds and connect those to letter sounds. Our instructional model includes Daily 5, in which students work independently in five areas: read to self, read to someone, word work, work on writing, and listen to reading. Topics include: 

• Comprehending setting and main characters in a story 

• Making predictions 

• Recalling beginning, middle, and end 

• Mastering all letters, sounds, vowel and consonant blends

Language 

As students develop their skills to read and write independently, we introduce the basics of grammar, conventions, and mechanics. Students are introduced to vocabulary through read-alouds and start to recognize basic spelling patterns. Topics include: 

• Phonetic spelling 

• Using beginning punctuation and capitalization  

• Spelling sight words accurately  

Writing

Kindergarten students learn to write through three main units: Opinion, Informational, and Narrative Writing, where they develop stories about their lives, share their beliefs, and write “how to” books. Through our Handwriting without Tears program, students also learn letter formation, spacing, punctuation, and proper capitalization. Topics include: 

• Explaining a picture with a word or sentence  

• Writing to tell a story, persuade, and inform  

• Reviewing/rewriting to improve 

MATH

CHA offers grade level and one grade-level ahead math instruction. Please review the next grade level's math description to learn about the accelerated curriculum. 

We use Dimensions Singapore Math for whole group and small-group instruction. The structure of the approach begins from concrete to pictorial, and lastly abstract; enabling students to deeply understand mathematical concepts. Students frequently work with manipulatives or draw models to deepen understanding of mathematical concepts and solve complex problems. Students use IXL and math games to practice and strengthen concepts, building fluency, and confidence. Extension work is available for students who are ready for more challenges in each chapter. 

• Numbers 0 to 10
• Number Bonds
• Addition
• Subtraction
• Position
• Numbers to 20
• Shapes
• Length
• Weight
• Capacity
• Comparing Numbers
• Graphs
• Numbers to 40
• Multiplication
• Division
• Halves and Fourths
• Time
• Numbers to 100
• Money

SCIENCE

Students observe plant and animal adaptations. Students experiment with different materials that create light and sound waves. Students learn about the various components of the Earth, Solar System and other celestial objects.

• Plants and Animal Superpowers
• The Spinning Sky
• Light and Sounds
• Engineering

LANGUAGE ARTS

Students in 2nd grade are accelerated by one year and are assessed using grade 3 ELA standards and instructional materials. 

Reading 

Daily 5, CAFÉ strategies, Into Reading curriculum, and Accelerated Reader are used to structure the reading block so every student is independently engaged in meaningful literacy tasks. With guidance, students self- select reading materials at their independent reading level. Whole group, small group, and individualized instruction are used to support them in progressing to the next level. Houghton Mifflin reading curriculum, Into Reading, is used to expose students to a variety of texts, genres, comprehension strategies, and decoding skills. 

Writers’ Workshop: 

Students focus on the three types of writing: 1) to inform 2) to persuade 3) to entertain. Through regular opportunities to respond to prompts, students become stronger writers. Students are guided to effectively communicate their ideas and express themselves using the writing process, including drafting, editing, revising, and publishing.  

Spelling, Vocabulary  Development and Handwriting 

The linguistic-based Wired for Reading and Word Wires program helps structure our spelling and vocabulary curricula and provide differentiated instruction that allows students to practice, strengthen, internalize these skills. Handwriting Without Tears curriculum is used for handwriting mastery.  

The ELA program is designed to help students: 

• Recognize problem and solution relationships in text 

• Use inference skills to decipher information in context 

• Interpret information from fiction and nonfiction sources 

• Strengthen and build fluency 

• Plan, write, and revise personal narratives, informational writing, and persuasive writing 

• Strengthen phonetic skills and spelling strategies  

• Develop speaking and listening skills 

SCIENCE

Scientific understanding is integrated with engineering using the Mystery Science and Engineering is Elementary curriculum. Video lessons are integrated with hands-on kits to make observations, construct explanations, and design solutions. 

• Hands-on science kits teach physical, life and earth sciences through inquiry. 
• Content is enhanced through field trips and journals. 
• Earth Science: The work of Water (Mystery Science)
• A Sticky Situation: Earth Materials Engineering Kit (EiE)
• Physical Science: Materials Magic (Mystery Science)
• Life Science: Plant and Animal Adventures (Mystery Science)
• Thinking Inside the Box: Designing Plant Packages (EiE)

• Engineering Design Process - Invention Convention 

LANGUAGE ARTS

Students in 3rd grade are accelerated by one year and are assessed using grade 4 ELA standards and instructional materials. 

Writers’ Workshop
Students self-select writing topics in addition to teacher-directed prompts. Students are taught the writing process using partner editors and teacher direction. They are supported by a balance of whole group, small group, and one-to-one instruction that allows individual students to become a more competent writer.

Readers’ Workshop & Into Reading
Daily 5 is used for leveled reading development. Accelerated Reader is used for monitoring the student’s reading level and goals. Into Reading is utilized for whole group reading and reading strategy lessons.

Handwriting
Cursive Handwriting is introduced through the ‘Handwriting Without Tears’ series.

Read literary and informational texts closely and analytically to comprehend a range of increasingly complex literary and informational texts:

• Key Details
• Central Ideas
• Word Meanings
• Reasoning & Evidence
• Analysis Within or Across Texts
• Text Structures & Features
• Language Use 

Produce effective writing for a range of purposes and audiences:

• Write and revise brief/full narrative and informational texts
• Write and revise one or more paragraph opinion pieces
• Accurately use language and vocabulary in writing
• Edit appropriate grammar usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling
• Learn proper cursive handwriting techniques and write in cursive fluently

Employ effective speaking and listening skills for a range of purposes and audiences:

• Followed agreed-upon rules for discussion
• Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions
• Speak in complete sentences to provide detail or clarification
• Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker 
• Create engaging audio recordings of stories or poems
• Report on a topic or text, tell a story or recount an experience

LANGUAGE ARTS

Students in 4th grade are accelerated by one year and are assessed using grade 5 ELA standards and instructional materials. 

Reader’s Workshop - Our research- and standards-based curriculum, Into Reading, integrates reading, writing, spelling and grammar. Students work with the teacher in whole class, one-to-one and in small flexible groups to strengthen reading fluency as well as to work on understanding story elements and reading for enjoyment across various genres using authentic literature. The program allows for differentiated instruction to support and challenge diverse learners. Scholastic News magazines are used as a supplement to incorporate additional nonfiction articles and current events.

Students follow a modified Daily 5 model to do the following:

• Read to self – Supported by the online Accelerated Reader (AR) program
• Read with others– AR and Into Reading
• Word work – Into Reading, supplemented by Wired for Reading
• Work on writing – Into Reading, supplemented by Units of Study
• Work with teacher – Students work 1:1 or in small flexible groups with the teacher to work on targeted reading and writing skills using Into Reading

Accelerated Reader
Students are guided in selecting appropriately-leveled books for independent reading. After completing a book, students take a short comprehension quiz on the computer and earn points based on the number of correct answers.

Writer’s Workshop - The writing program is paired with the Into Reading curriculum. Students write from assigned and self-selected topics. They engage in the writing process, including a rough draft, revising and editing, and publishing. Feedback is provided by other students and one-on-one instruction from the teacher. Specific skills are taught through direct instruction and applied to independent writing. 

Handwriting - Students learn and practice cursive handwriting using the Handwriting Without Tears program.

SCIENCE

With our Next Generation Science Standards-based program, Mystery Science, as the foundation of our studies, students participate in the 5E instructional model to construct explanations about scientific phenomena.  

Engage: Start with an interesting, real-world occurrence (phenomena). Make a hypothesis based on background knowledge. 

Explore: Try out the concept through a hands-on activity, drawing conclusions about the how and why. 

Explain: Direct instruction confirms the inferences drawn in the Explore stage and provides proper terminology and any additional information. 

Elaborate: Students apply knowledge across concepts as they identify how what they have learned fits into an explanation of the phenomena. 

Evaluate: Students evaluate their understanding through a real-world scenario, applying new understanding gained in each of the previous steps. 

Topics of study include: 

• Energy and Natural Resources 

• Sound Waves 
• Changes to the Earth’s Surface 
• Structures and Functions of Plants and Animals 
• Information Processing 
• Engineering 

Our supplemental program, Engineering is Elementary, teaches the Engineering Design Process through open-ended, hands-on investigations that allow students to directly experience phenomena. For example, students experiment using bulbs, batteries, and switches to create, test, and improve their circuits. 

LANGUAGE ARTS

Students in 5th grade are accelerated by one year and are assessed using grade 6 ELA standards and instructional materials. 

The Into Reading curriculum provides students with a wide variety of reading experiences in different genres. Students develop reading skills through assignments and written responses, during classroom discussions, and while working in cooperative learning groups. Can-do Cursive provides students with guided practice in cursive writing. Book projects and presentations give students the chance to practice and develop their communication skills. Scholastic News provides students an opportunity to develop higher level thinking and analysis skills while learning about global current events. 

Accelerated Reader enables students to test their comprehension using short quizzes based on books they have read independently. Teachers use AR information to assess students’ comprehension and guide them to choose appropriate level books. 

Reading Skills 

• Reading for comprehension 

• Compare and contrast texts 

• Retell/summarize literary and informational texts 

• Claims and evidence 

• Point of View 

Language Skills 

• Grammar 

• Spelling 

• Latin/Greek Roots and Affixes 

Writing Skills 

• Narrative, Opinion, and Informational writing projects 

• Write to respond to texts 

• Using the writing process 

Speaking and Listening Skills 

• Presenting 

• Collaborative discussions 

• Listening comprehension and response 

SCIENCE

With our Next Generation Science Standards-based program, Mystery Science, as the foundation of our studies, students participate in the 5E instructional model to construct explanations about scientific phenomena. Additionally, students participate in hands-on investigations, field trips, and projects that complement content.  Our supplemental curriculum, Engineering is Elementary from Boston’s Museum of Science, is used to design, test, and improve solutions to engineering problems.  Topics include: 

• Ecosystems and the Food Web 

• Water Cycle and Earth’s Systems 

• Stars and The Solar System 

• Chemical Reactions and Properties of Matter 

• STEM project: Ecosystems: Cleaning an Oil Spill 

• STEM project: Aerospace: Designing Parachutes