Academics (K-8)

List of 5 items.

• Math

  Our goal is to help students understand mathematical concepts, master key skills and have the ability to solve new and increasingly complex problems.
  
  We use Bridges in Mathematics as our core K-5 curriculum. Students in 4th and 5th grades, who are working beyond Bridges, use College Preparatory Math or CPM. In Middle School, our math specialists teach students advanced algebra and geometry using a variety of resources.
  
  

  To help our younger students develop math skills and fluency, we use a skill building program called Number Corner that is part of the Bridges curriculum. We emphasize efficiency, rather than speed, as well as accuracy, flexibility and depth of understanding. Throughout the school, we use multiple approaches and collaborative projects to tap into the intelligence and strengths of our students. We mix direct instruction with investigation, open exploration and hands-on learning.

  
  We want our students to explain the “why” of math and demonstrate that they understand each underlying principle before moving on to more complex concepts. The result is a deep appreciation and understanding of math that will help them excel in high school and beyond.

• Language Arts

  Our languages arts program builds the foundational skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking, while developing passionate readers and confident writers who can present their ideas in a variety of formats.

   

  We use Readers and Writers Workshop throughout the school to give students ample time to read at their own level and to view themselves as writers. These workshops have a consistent format that students recognize from year to year. Writers Workshop begins with a mini lesson—10 to 15 minutes of direct instruction from the teacher on writing strategies, skills or mechanics—immediately followed by an extended period of writing. While students are writing, teachers are able to work with individual students and give them personal feedback. Students also work with their peers to review and revise their writing, and eventually “publish” their stories, sharing them with their classmates and families.

   

  Our goals are to create life-long readers and writers, to teach students the specific skills necessary to read and write purposefully, analytically and reflectively, and to guide students to understand the power of the written word. Over time, our students become highly analytical readers and writers who are able to interpret complex concepts and communicate their ideas with creativity and skill.

• Science

  Our Science program engages the natural curiosity and wonder of our students through hands-on experiential learning at every grade level. Students learn complex ideas and skills through scientific inquiry and collaborative learning that stimulate critical thinking.

   

  We use Next Generation Science Standards, which were developed based on the idea that there are three distinct but equally important components to teaching science. The first is teaching students the practices that scientists use to build theories and models about the natural world. The second involves teaching cross cutting concepts, such as cause and effect or energy and matter, that apply across the four domains of science (physical science, life science, earth and space science, and engineering design). The final component is teaching the core ideas of each of those domains.

   

  We want our students to understand and engage in fundamental questions about the world and understand how scientists have investigated and found answers to those questions. With a developmental understanding of scientific practice, cross cutting concepts and the core ideas of science, students will begin to see connections between science and the world around them and build a foundation that may inspire them to pursue an interest or passion in a science-related field. 

• Social Studies

  Our Social Studies program focuses on research skills, analytical thinking, and gaining a greater understanding of the world in which we live. Our curriculum has been developed to meet international social studies standards. It focuses on building content knowledge and skills including critical thinking, cartographic research, expository writing and analytical thinking at all grade levels. The program is designed to allow for integration with other subjects areas and for differentiation of learning styles. We use discovery-based projects and activities that support open-ended inquiry and spark the interests of our curious learners.

• World Language

  We are the only elementary school in the area to offer three world languages: French, Mandarin and Spanish. 
  
  

   In kindergarten, students sample each language for 12 weeks in turn over the course of the year. Beginning in 1st grade, students study one language continuously throughout their time at Evergreen. Through 4th grade, language classes meet for 45 minutes three times a week, and increase to four times weekly from 5th grade on.

   

  Our World Language program is designed to help students develop an awareness and appreciation of other cultures, at the same time that they are:

  acquiring skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing; reinforcing learning of our general curriculum; demonstrating critical thinking as they analyze, synthesize, and produce oral and written expressions in the target language; and ultimately, becoming enthusiastic lifelong language learners.

   

  Although it takes many hours of intense study to learn a second language, early learning programs like ours help students begin that long journey toward proficiency. The earlier students begin learning a language, the better the cumulative effect of instruction is over time. Research shows that students who study a language when they are young have higher rates of proficiency in high school.