Math

My Math curriculum is utilized in grade levels K-5. Additionally, Boevers teachers collaborate to plan and implement math units designed around essential standards and concept development. 

Literacy 

Balanced Literacy is a research-based approach that provides students a wide variety of ways in which they will become skilled readers and writers. Children are exposed to a strong reading mentor who instructs on skills, strategies, and discussions about reading. Students engage in high volumes of text that will require high levels of comprehension. Mastering this will then allow students to move to more complex texts. Balanced Literacy is greatly enriched through the use of the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model. This is a scaffolding instructional approach modeled first by the teacher (I do), next students practice through active engagement (we do), which is further practiced in a partnership (2 do), followed by independent practice (you do) of the focus skill or strategy.

Components of the Balanced Literacy framework:

Literacy Assessments (Drive instruction for Balanced Literacy components)

• Reading Workshop
• Small Group Instruction
• Shared Reading
• Writing Workshop
• Shared/Interactive Writing
• Interactive Read-aloud (to include accountable talk)
• Word Study
   

Science

Discovery Science and Project Lead the Way (STEM curriculum) are utilized in grades K-5.

Social Studies

TCI is utilized by K-5th Grade.

Multi-year class placement (Looping)

At McAuliffe Elementary, we are interested in students, teachers and families developing long-term relationships to better meet the needs of individual learners. McAuliffe is participating in multi-year relationships by having many teachers stay with the same students for two years.  For example if a child is in kindergarten, he or she will stay with the same teacher for kindergarten and first grade. Teams of teachers will also loop from second to third and fourth to fifth. We know that the relationship of teachers to student, to the parents, to other teachers, and to the curriculum is critical throughout a child’s education.  Some of the benefits of a child staying with the same teacher for two years are:

• The teacher develops a deeper understanding of students’ learning styles and needs, both academic and emotional.
• In year two with a teacher, the teacher knows exactly where the child is academically so there is no need for extensive review.
• The teacher understands the students’ family dynamics and the parents’ needs and expectations regarding their children’s education.
• The teacher can approach the curriculum in more depth, knowing that there is more time to help students make connections in their learning.
• Students already understand classroom procedures, rules and expectations.

Student Council

McAuliffe provides leadership opportunities for students in grades 3-5. These students are selected by their peers and teachers to lead McAuliffe in school wide community projects. These projects include a school wide improvement plan where student council focuses on one project throughout the year that will benefit the school.  Student council also coordinates community service projects that include a school wide recycling program and the annual Salvation Army canned food drive.   

Challenger Choir

The choir is a fourth and fifth grade select musical group. They perform at community and district-wide ceremonies as well as school-based concerts. Students involved in the Challenger Choir practice before school.  They are under the direction of music teacher Alisha Crafton.

Safety Patrol

Fifth graders exhibiting leadership capabilities are able to participate in the school’s safety patrol.  This group aids our staff in supervising the safe arrival and dismissal of students throughout the school on a daily basis.  Physical education teacher Kassie Alexander sponsors this group.

School Broadcast

CNN (Challenger News Network) is produced by fifth grade students under the supervision of media specialist Kirby Mackenzie. The broadcast is designed to inform the students and staff of important school information such as menus, specialty schedules and upcoming events as well as other special bits of news.

Steps to Respect

Even kids can help prevent bullying say fifth graders at McAuliffe as they take part in a program called Steps to Respect.  School counselor Twy Gardner visits students in grades 2-5 in their classrooms and takes students and their teachers through role-playing games in which students act out scenes and learn the steps to ending conflict/bullying in a respectful manner.

English Learners

McAuliffe offers an English Learners curriculum to those students for whom English is not a primary language. Students participate in small group instruction that focuses on the English language.

Character Counts!

Character Counts is a district-wide program from kindergarten through high school for students and staff. It gives us a common language and encourages outstanding character traits. A new character trait is introduced each month. The six traits that are emphasized are Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Trustworthiness, Fairness and Citizenship.