Elementary Curriculum

The Elementary Curriculum presents a broad overview of each core subject, the expectations for student achievement, and provides a description of the curriculum at each grade level. It also highlights the uniqueness of the curriculum and the instruction that takes place in the classroom.

Totsland Schools has a strong standards-based curriculum that incorporates sequential instruction, enduring ideas, and the discrete skills that students should know and be able to do by the end of each grade. Assessments that inform instruction and document the learning and growth of each child are built into our curriculum. Teachers analyze student work to individualize instruction, implement continuous learning, and guide decisions to improve student performance.

This curriculum is one of the many ways the Totsland Schools supports communication between home and school. We hope that the information will enhance your understanding of the elementary school curriculum and will enrich your role as an active participant in your child’s education.

What is an Assessment?

An Assessment is the process of gathering evidence to document the learning and growth of each child. Teachers assess student performance every day, integrating assessment and instruction continually. It is this constant overlap between questioning, responding, observing, and evaluating student progress that determines further instructional needs. Assessments include universal screenings, informal and formal measures, and summative assessments.

There are three major assessment methods used at Totsland Schools

• Formative assessment: are used to guide instructions and used to determine the good and bad of a program and help determine how the program can either be improved on or done away with. The scores of these are not included in our progress report but are used to give the teachers and school a feedback (concerning e.g., books, subjects, time allotted etc.)
• Universal screening assessment: Systematic assessment of all children within a given class, grade, school building or school district on Academic/Social Emotional indicators that the school personnel and community agree are important
• Summative assessment: This assessment demonstrates the overall learning success of a program. It is used to gauge the progress of a student and the intended learning outcome of a module. These communicates a student’s progress to the parent. It is used to collect data used for a progress report. summative assessment is of great validity and reliability for the progress report of a child. E.g End of quarter Assessment, SAT10

Why do we need assessments?

• To help educators set standards.
• To create instructional goals.
• To motivate performance.
• To provide feedback to students.
• To evaluate progress; and
• To communicate progress to others.

How do we use universal assessments?

• To use as diagnostic screenings prior to instruction.
• To inform teaching and learning; and
• To help identify students who might benefit from extra support.

How do we use informal assessments?

To assess student performance every day, integrating assessment and instruction continually
Informal assessment occurs when teachers:

• Observe students working.
• Write anecdotal notes that describe learning behaviors.
• Hold reading and writing conferences to record student strengths and weaknesses; and
• Analyze projects, portfolios, and notebooks.

How do we use formal assessments?

• To provide an academic measure of knowledge, concepts, and skills
• To adjust instructional goals and practices

How do we use summative assessments?

• To determine achievement levels for meeting learning standards
• To give teachers and parents/guardians a better picture of where students are succeeding

Academic Programs

The four core subjects that make up the Totsland program are:

1. English Language Arts
2. Maths
3. Social Studies
4. Science.

Other subjects included in our program are:

1. Music
2. French
3. Global Citizenship
4. Arts

English Language Arts

Totsland Philosophy statement

Totsland School believes that a strong language arts curriculum provides an explicit instruction in reading, writing, speaking, listening and language skills. Our program prepares students to comprehend and communicate effectively, in order to understand themselves, others, and their society.

The elements of the Totsland Schools’ comprehensive language arts program include:

• Instruction to develop proficient readers who understand, interpret, evaluate and appreciate texts;
• Opportunities for student choice and collaboration to meet a variety of needs and interests, friction and non-friction texts, both rigorous and accessible, that reflect diversity of authors and genres and that balance classic and contemporary works;
• Authentic tasks and activities that are challenging and have personal value to students; a variety of technological and informational resources as a means for collecting and communicating information to meet the demands of our ever-changing society; their own learning; and
• Assessments that are frequent and varied, and are used to inform instruction, measure student performance, and provide students with feedback about their own strengths and needs so they can reflect upon and take control of and a commitment to providing ongoing professional development opportunities to support teacher knowledge of best practices related to curriculum, instruction, and student achievement.

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

• Read and respond to a variety of authors, texts and genres;
• Apply strategies and skills to enhance their understanding of multiple types of text;
• Develop and communicate informed opinions and arguments through interpreting and evaluating various texts;
• Recognize that readers and authors are influenced by individual, social, cultural, and historical contexts;
• Appreciate the influence that contemporary and classical authors have on human thought;
• Use the traits of writing to communicate effectively for a specific purpose and audience;
• Contribute, respond to, and develop what others have said in conversations and discussions;
• Write and speak in acceptable standard English; and
• Transfer literacy skills across multiple content areas.

What is Totsland’s Grade K – 5 Language Arts Program?

The LA K – 4 program is a comprehensive English language arts program. It provides an instructional system for reading both literature and informational texts, for acquiring foundational skills, and for developing mastery of speaking, listening, and writing. The program presents learning as an excursion into the unknown. It is about meeting challenges head-on and gaining confidence with each victory. This program lets teachers introduce the right discoveries at the right time. When things begin to line up, you can see confidence starts to shine in students’ eyes.

What makes the program unique?

• The program provides the right combination demanding materials and individualized instruction.
• It offers students the types of challenges needed to mold them into stronger readers. It’s a recipe for the continued growth they will need to excel at today’s rigorous assessments, college, and beyond.
• Anchor text reading instruction challenges students well beyond their first encounter. A special three-part routine guides student to grasp big ideas, then analyze short passages, and finally undertake independent close reading.
• The student eBook guides students to highlight and make notes about the answers and evidence they are learning to gather.
• Trade Books provide a backdrop for project-based learning and give students the opportunity to apply what they have been learning to extended texts.
• The program provides a wide range of texts to meet all students at their level.
• Weekly lesson plans make it easy for teachers to design customized lessons, allowing them to spend more time teaching and less time planning; and Practical, powerful assessments keep teachers informed and students prepared.

By the end of the program, students will be able to?

• Demonstrate research and writing skills.
• Grasp spelling and grammar.
• Cultivate a vivid vocabulary.
• Sharpen listening and speaking skills; and
• Write their own stories in confidence.

Math

What is Totsland’s Grade K-5 Mathematics Programs?

Totsland’s K – 5 math program- is a complete, Pre-k through 12 curriculum. This program sequences the mathematical progressions into expertly crafted modules. It provides educators with a comprehensive curriculum, in-depth professional development, books, and support materials

What makes the program unique?

• This coherent approach allows teachers to know what incoming students already have learned.
• It is made by teachers who have experience with rigor in the classroom and implementing this “Best practices”.
• The program gives a unique direction for mathematic instruction.
• it ensures that students are prepared for what comes next.
• Totsland’s Math dramatically reduces gaps in student learning, instill persistence in problem solving, and prepare students to understand advanced math.
• It is developed specifically to meet the new standards and it is the only comprehensive curriculum fully aligned with the standards for grades K-8, according to EDReports.org.
• Only curriculum written for the standards.
• Totsland’s Math builds students’ knowledge and thoroughly helps them achieve deep understanding; and
• Although approach is unfamiliar to those of us who grew up with mathematical facts and formulas, it has been tested and proven to be the most successful method in the world

What happens in the classroom?

• Students understand why their mathematical work rather than just the process is important to finding the answer.
• It integrates professional development into the curriculum which in turn teaches teachers how to make materials ensuring students do so too.
• Students get to see their own growth and improvement with the understanding of their lesson and the standards.
• Teachers devote time specifically to ensure students fluency in basic fact or skill in mathematics.
• Teachers get to demonstrate all the different strategies and they talk about the highlights of each lesson and what was very important about that lesson; and so, the best type of professional development is to dive in and read through the modules critically with other teachers and share their questions and thoughts.
• Teachers can go through lesson by lesson of what is happening inside the modules in each grade level, and this enables teachers differentiate ideas, suggestion for implementation, how to prioritize when you are short in time; what are the things you want to get to, so as to enable the next lesson for the teachers go easier;
• It provides a series of tools and strategies that allow students not be just successful short term period but in years to come;
• It harnesses learning from successful math programs from all over the world; and
• It assists educators to be aligned with the mathematics Common Core standards.

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

• Connect math to the real world in a way that takes the fear out of math and builds their confidence- helps achieve true understanding lesson by lesson and year after year;
• Long term understanding in the retention of information;
• More engaged and successful in Mathematics;
• Students will be able to understand 3 ways; conceptually; computationally and In application;
• Students become aligned with the mathematics common core standards; and
• Students are prepared to understand advanced math.

Social Studies

What is Totsland k-5 Social Studies Program?

The Totsland Social Studies is a program that inspires students to learn about the world and its cultures. This program explores the past and present, inviting learners to tackle challenging questions about our global community while providing teachers with tools they need to be align with the Common Core Standards. it connects students to the world outside their door which captivates learners with unique, magazine style format.

What makes the program unique?

• This program provides internet resources as well as addresses to write for free and low-cost materials such as brochures, posters, and kits;
• The program is current with downloadable content activity pages;
• Online activities and resources for both students and teachers; which creates deeper connections
• It is child-friendly which keeps students engaged and entertained with the program; in addition, it is interlinked with other subjects;
• It provides student magazines which deliver exciting, inquiry-based learning;
• The content f this program adheres to Core Standards, giving students a solid foundation for excelling in college, career, and civic life;
• The program enables teachers make the most of limited class time and allow students to learn on their own terms through differentiated instruction and interactive tools; and
• The program develop curricula that not only teach important lessons, but create fuller classroom experiences for students and teachers alike;

What happens in the classroom?

• This program provides worksheets and activity diagrams to help correlate reading skills to social studies lessons;
• This program creates a new arena in the classroom where students can relive, re-imagine, and reflect on our past and present;
• Students are provided with vibrant magazines and hands-on activities that transform every classroom into a world stage;
• Students are engaged through flexible curriculum that marries nonfiction content with literacy goals
• Students learn to tackle challenging questions about u global community while providing teachers with the tools they need to meet new academic standards with limited class time.
• The program also offers the flexibility to teach social studies while meeting literacy goals, helping everyone in the class make the most of every minute;
• This program helps teachers link social studies content to their disciplines and students’ everyday lives, allowing earners to broaden their horizon;
• Differentiated instruction promote effective expression for learners of learners of every level, from struggling to advanced; and
• This program enables teacher tote assignments and survey performances with ease while engaging students with intuitive pathways;

What is the Totsland Science program?

The Totsland Science program is a combination of teacher-created and published science units that emphasize content knowledge and inquiry skills, which provide opportunities for critical thinking and hands-on learning. It consists of units of study that relate to themes of life science, earth science, and physical science, as well as science and technology in society. The curriculum aligns with and expands upon the standards outlined by national and state frameworks. The program offers two complete curricula supported by online resources for planning, instruction, and assessment. With two different paths (one print, one digital) and distinct content approaches for each lesson, teachers have instructional power and student engagement is maximized.

What makes the program unique?

• · Students learn in an environment where they can act like scientists;
• Teachers encourage students to question, analyze, explain, and interpret scientific phenomena and processes;
• The elementary science curriculum provides a strong foundation of science and engineering concepts;
• Students have the opportunity to interact directly with materials in a hands-on approach to learning;
• The program offers a spiraled technology and coding curriculum that ensures students meet the engineering standards expectations
• It offers robust S.T.E.M. opportunities which include real-world challenges, hands-on activities, and Video-based Projects, and careers in science or people in science profiles get students thinking about pursuing their own S.T.E.M. careers;
• It is built on the three- dimensional NGSS framework and also integrates common core math and ELA standards guidance throughout the teacher Edition; and
• This program supports teachers’ need to engage students in inquiry-based learning.

What happens in the classroom?

• Flexible assessments options make tracking progress manageable. The assessments can be in print or digital formats; this includes assignable, leveled assessments for each student;
• Every lesson guides teachers through activities, probing questions, misconception alerts, differentiated instruction, and vocabulary support;
• Digital lesson offer technology-enhanced questions with interactivity like drag and drop, match and more;

Inquiry lessons support every learner in print and online with three levels of differentiation: directed, guided, and independent inquiry;
Students explore, ask questions, make observations, design investigations, propose solutions, and communicate their findings using a variety of methods.
Students develop a scientific vocabulary and begin to talk like scientists.

Totsland Philosophy statement

Totsland believes that a strong science education program promotes student understanding of the natural and human built worlds. The curriculum provides opportunities for students to engage in scientific and engineering practices within core content areas so that students become competent problem solvers, capable of making informed and logical judgments using sound, scientific principles as citizens of the world.

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

• Acquire new knowledge and continually deepen understanding of core science and engineering concepts;
• Apply scientific literacy skills in order to re- search, understand, and communicate major science concepts and theories;
• Construct explanations and design solutions through scientific exploration and drawing conclusions;
• Make claims and argue their validity based on the analysis of data and other available evidence;
• Apply mathematical concepts to enhance scientific reasoning;
• To master a core sequence of science study based on the state standards that cover four major domains: physical sciences; life sciences; earth and space sciences; and applications of science.

Art

Art is a central and dynamic component of our school’s curriculum, with a strong emphasis on nurturing creativity from early childhood through elementary school. Every day, our students actively participate in creative art activities that foster their imaginative abilities and encourage self-expression.

Our commitment to the arts goes beyond the basics, as we explore various forms of artistic expression, including visual arts, crafts, and multimedia projects. To celebrate and showcase our students’ artistic accomplishments, we organize a biennial art exhibition that shines a spotlight on their creativity, innovation, and personal growth. This event serves as a platform for students to share their unique perspectives and talents with the entire school community.

Our dedication to treating art with utmost importance reflects our belief in the holistic development of each student. We acknowledge the profound impact that artistic expression has on their cognitive, emotional, and social growth throughout their educational journey.

Our dedication to taking art seriously reflects our belief in the holistic development of each student, recognizing the profound impact that artistic expression has on cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of their education.

Music

Music holds a central and integral role in our school’s curriculum, starting from early childhood and continuing through grade 5.

Our comprehensive approach ensures that every student has the opportunity to explore and master various musical instruments during their time at the school. We are committed to musical education, and it is a requirement for each student to achieve proficiency in at least one musical instrument before graduating.

One of the highlights of our musical program is the biannual productions, where every student actively participates and showcases their musical talents using a variety of instruments. We prioritize inclusivity, ensuring that no child is excluded from these productions. This fosters a strong sense of community and provides each student with the opportunity to contribute to the collective musical experience.

Our unwavering dedication to music underscores our belief in the transformative power of musical education and its significant role in the holistic development of our students.

Global Citizenship

Global citizenship holds a foundational position in our school’s curriculum, serving as a conduit for teaching social and emotional skills. Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to impart crucial skills and values that cultivate a sense of global awareness, empathy, and interconnectedness among our students.

Through the perspective of global citizenship, our goal is to instill an understanding and appreciation for diversity, encouraging students to embrace various cultures, viewpoints, and backgrounds. By seamlessly integrating this subject into our educational framework, we empower students with the necessary tools to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.

The emphasis on social and emotional learning within the context of global citizenship not only promotes empathy but also equips students with the skills required for effective communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution.

In the end, our commitment to global citizenship underscores our dedication to nurturing well-rounded individuals who make positive contributions to their local and global communities.

French is a fundamental subject in our school, and its influence on our students has been substantial. Our French language program is meticulously crafted to go beyond simply imparting linguistic proficiency; it also strives to nurture cultural awareness and global competence. Through interactive and immersive teaching techniques, our students develop robust language skills, enabling them to communicate effectively in French.

This linguistic proficiency not only opens doors to international collaboration but also instills a deep appreciation for cultural diversity. The incorporation of French as a subject underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering a comprehensive education that equips students with the skills and perspectives required for success in our ever more interconnected world.

Coding holds a central position in our school’s curriculum, reflecting our unwavering dedication to Information and Communication Technology (ICT). By incorporating coding as an integral element of our educational framework, we strive to equip students with essential skills that will be vital for their future roles as global leaders. Our curriculum extends beyond mere coding proficiency, emphasizing the development of problem-solving, critical thinking, and logical reasoning abilities.

Through hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences, students develop a profound understanding of computational thinking and its practical applications in the real world. Our commitment to coding underscores our belief in preparing students for the digital age, ensuring that they possess the technological fluency necessary to navigate and actively contribute to an ever-evolving global landscape. By taking ICT seriously and seamlessly integrating coding into our curriculum, we empower students with the tools to become forward-thinking leaders in an increasingly technology-driven world.

French

French is a cornerstone subject in our school, and its impact on our students has been profound. Our French language program is designed to not only impart linguistic proficiency but also to cultivate cultural awareness and global competence. Through engaging and immersive teaching methods, students develop strong language skills, enabling effective communication in French.
This language proficiency opens doors to opportunities for international collaboration and fosters a sense of appreciation for cultural diversity. The inclusion of French as a subject is a testament to our commitment to providing a well-rounded education that equips students with the skills and perspectives needed for success in an increasingly interconnected world.

Coding

Coding is a pivotal subject in our school, reflecting our dedicated focus on Information and Communication Technology (ICT). By introducing coding as a core component of our curriculum, we aim to equip students with essential skills that are crucial for their future roles as global leaders. The curriculum goes beyond basic coding proficiency, fostering problem-solving, critical thinking, and logical reasoning skills.
Through hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences, students gain a deep understanding of computational thinking and its real-world applications. Our commitment to coding underscores our belief in preparing students for the digital age, ensuring they possess the technological fluency necessary to navigate and contribute to an evolving global landscape. By taking ICT seriously and integrating coding into our curriculum, we empower students with the tools to become forward-thinking leaders in an increasingly technology-driven world.