Reading
In reading, teachers use curriculum as a resource. After looking at standards and data, they create lessons to meet students’ needs. They use Yoshiomoto OG to give all students differentiated instruction in phonology and morphology. With a blend of the CKL curriculum, Read Naturally, and Novel Sets, students practice fluency, learn new vocabulary, and practice comprehension; the art of understanding what they read. Additional tools that teachers might use to build a love of reading include participating in the Schoolwide Accelerated Reader program, the Fifth Grade Battle of the Books Club, and Classroom Book Clubs. Teachers review reading data frequently, checking students’ progress towards goals, and moving them to more appropriate skill practice as needed.
Writing
Teachers instruct students to write expository, comparison, and narrative pieces. Writing games are integrated into each lesson strengthening student voice and word choice. As additional ways to practice writing, students write in all content areas including specials classes. Pioneer’s philosophy is that adding writing throughout the day, cements a student’s deeper understanding of lessons.
Math
New content often begins with manipulatives and concrete models, moving to representational as students become more comfortable with the topic and finally to an abstract application of the skills learned. Pioneer uses Eureka Math as a tool to address the math standards each student must know. Pioneer supplements the math learning with many different software tools like Zearn, Splashlearn, xTra Math, Prodigy, and Math Lab Accelerator. Mrs. Palmen runs a school wide celebration of fact masters to encourage all students to increase math fact fluency.