Primary Program: K-1
Introduction | Language Arts | Mathematics | Science
Social Studies | Religious Studies | Social & Emotional
Introduction
Our primary program consists of Kindergarten and First Grade. Students are multi-aged for various content areas including reading groups and mathematics. We take pride in our ability to combine the learning objectives with our students’ interests and gifts in order to create authentic learning experiences. Through a team teaching approach, we work towards increasing independence, and facilitate reaching academic and social potential. We acknowledge that each child’s social and emotional development is equally as important as his/her academic growth. Our focus in all academic areas is risk-taking, problem-solving and increasing independence. We strive towards having the children work in groups with those who have similar learning needs, thereby providing instruction from remediation to acceleration and enrichment.
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Language Arts
The language arts curriculum is a balanced literacy program consisting of listening and oral communication, shared reading, phonological awareness/phonics, spelling, guided reading (flexible leveled reading groups), reading fluency, comprehension strategies, vocabulary development, literacy workshops, handwriting, writing process, traits of good writing, forms of writing, grammar and on-going assessments. Our classrooms are literature-rich environments with authentic opportunities for real reading and writing. The primary team understands the wide spectrum of development in their young learners. The students in our program range from early emergent readers through fluent readers. Flexible leveled reading groups allow students to master complex steps in the reading process at their own pace. All students have a Language Arts portfolio which documents growth in all Language Arts areas (K-8).
Instructional Materials: The Wright Group: Story Box, Story Basket, Shared Reading Pack, Wright Skills, Gear Up; Handwriting without Tears; Great Source: Write Source, Write Traits; Supplemental Materials.
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Mathematics
Students work in leveled math groups in the Saxon Math series. The teachers assess students at the beginning of each year to place students in their appropriate math group and continue assessments throughout the year. Math manipulatives are used to help students gain ‘hands-on’ understanding of concepts. Teachers supplement with problem solving resources, games and additional practice opportunities in order to foster a transfer from concrete understanding to paper and pencil work.
The primary math program is a hands-on, success-oriented program that emphasizes manipulatives and mental mathematics. It is designed for a multi-sensory approach to teaching and enables all children to develop a solid foundation in the language and basic concepts of mathematics. The program is based upon incremental development, continual practice and review, and cumulative regular assessments. Content is divided into five components: Class Meeting, Direct Lesson Instruction, Written Practice, Fact Practice and Assessments.
Students also participate in Communication Math which develops problem solving strategies and has students thinking, speaking and writing about the strategies they use to solve mathematical problems. All students have a math portfolio that documents growth in all mathematical areas (K-8).
Primary Math Courses: Saxon 1, Saxon 2 and Saxon 3
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Science
Major Units of Study: Day and Night, Life Cycles, Simple Machines, Ecology, Human Body and Basic Physical Science
Science is more than a body of facts. Scientific inquiry and the process by which these inquiries are answered are the basis for our Science Program. Developing in-depth scientific process and lab skills is our primary goal. Our students are actively learning the scientific process through whole and small group science projects and experiments.
The very same process skills used by scientists in the field are the foundation for all of the learning that takes place in our labs. Process skills are revisited at all grade levels in order to ensure that the scientific process is mastered not as a set of rules but as ways of finding answers. Students are active participants, acting as mathematicians, scientists and technologists as they wrestle with problems facing our world such as environmental dangers. The program addresses challenges, emulating the work of experts in the field, complemented by projects and hands-on experiments. Science is the springboard for interdisciplinary project work that often becomes our Museum Night exhibits.
Instructional Materials: Windows on Science by Optical Data; Fresh Science by Scratch Cats; Delta Labs; Wild Goose Labs; Variety of Supplemental Resources
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Social Studies
Major Units of Study: Geography, Map Skills, Community, Community Helpers, Citizenship, Economics, Holidays, American Heroes and Cultures
History, Geography and Social Studies emphasize the interdependent nature of humanity. It is crucial that our students know about people, places and their impact on our global community. Students learn to draw upon the experiences of people through hands-on projects, learning expeditions and interaction with real world experiences, acquiring skills to become informed citizens. Students move from learning about themselves and their own lifestyles to exploring the histories of world cultures. Through this study of societies, students will come to celebrate and appreciate the world’s diversity. Through discussions, primary sources, hands-on projects, guest speakers, learning expeditions and relevant literature, the student is drawn into cultural awareness. GFA strives to integrate as many elements as possible into the social studies curriculum, utilizing literature, music, art and a wealth of community resources.
Instructional Materials: Map Essentials by National Geographic; Classroom Atlas by Nystrom; Variety of Supplemental Resources
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Religious Studies
Judaism is both a religion, as well as a civilization made up of an entire culture. One goal of the Religious Studies program is to ensure that students learn about the Jewish religion and culture. This provides all students with an appreciation of the beauty and significance of Jewish heritage and practices while respecting religious and cultural diversity. Our school is committed not only to the acquisition of Judaic knowledge, but also the development of universal values, enlarging the human spirit, and the growth of the individual. The program integrates these ethics and values, such as Tikun Olam (repairing the world), Tzedakah (acts of charity), and G’milut Chassadim (compassion and respect toward others) into the overall curriculum.
The program integrates Jewish history, holidays, literature, current events, music, art, and dance into the overall curriculum. Every effort is made to draw connections for all students to the themes brought up in Religious Studies. Primary students participate in Religious Studies twice a week.
Curriculum includes: Bible stories of Genesis, Exodus, Daniel, Jonah and Esther; Introduction to Calendar; Mitzvah; Holidays, and Hebrew Alphabet
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Social & Emotional
Our program goals for social and emotional growth include: verbal problem solving, increasing independence to deal with social interaction and routines; building resiliency and risk-taking by supporting self-esteem; modeling and guiding children’s interactions to help each behave as a positive role model; developing more self-control and acknowledging responsibility for actions; thinking about choices in reacting to different situations; and promoting respect and acceptance for different learning styles and strengths. We teach, model, and practice behaviors that are expected not only in the classroom and playground but also throughout the school and in life. Values and expected behaviors are an integral part of each day. Verbalizing feelings is encouraged to promote empathy. The teachers, as well as the students themselves, acknowledge and support success and positive behavior.
[top]
Primary Program: K-1
Introduction | Language Arts | Mathematics | Science
Social Studies | Religious Studies | Social & Emotional
Introduction
Our primary program consists of Kindergarten and First Grade. Students are multi-aged for various content areas including reading groups and mathematics. We take pride in our ability to combine the learning objectives with our students’ interests and gifts in order to create authentic learning experiences. Through a team teaching approach, we work towards increasing independence, and facilitate reaching academic and social potential. We acknowledge that each child’s social and emotional development is equally as important as his/her academic growth. Our focus in all academic areas is risk-taking, problem-solving and increasing independence. We strive towards having the children work in groups with those who have similar learning needs, thereby providing instruction from remediation to acceleration and enrichment.
[top]
Language Arts
The language arts curriculum is a balanced literacy program consisting of listening and oral communication, shared reading, phonological awareness/phonics, spelling, guided reading (flexible leveled reading groups), reading fluency, comprehension strategies, vocabulary development, literacy workshops, handwriting, writing process, traits of good writing, forms of writing, grammar and on-going assessments. Our classrooms are literature-rich environments with authentic opportunities for real reading and writing. The primary team understands the wide spectrum of development in their young learners. The students in our program range from early emergent readers through fluent readers. Flexible leveled reading groups allow students to master complex steps in the reading process at their own pace. All students have a Language Arts portfolio which documents growth in all Language Arts areas (K-8).
Instructional Materials: The Wright Group: Story Box, Story Basket, Shared Reading Pack, Wright Skills, Gear Up; Handwriting without Tears; Great Source: Write Source, Write Traits; Supplemental Materials.
[top]
Mathematics
Students work in leveled math groups in the Saxon Math series. The teachers assess students at the beginning of each year to place students in their appropriate math group and continue assessments throughout the year. Math manipulatives are used to help students gain ‘hands-on’ understanding of concepts. Teachers supplement with problem solving resources, games and additional practice opportunities in order to foster a transfer from concrete understanding to paper and pencil work.
The primary math program is a hands-on, success-oriented program that emphasizes manipulatives and mental mathematics. It is designed for a multi-sensory approach to teaching and enables all children to develop a solid foundation in the language and basic concepts of mathematics. The program is based upon incremental development, continual practice and review, and cumulative regular assessments. Content is divided into five components: Class Meeting, Direct Lesson Instruction, Written Practice, Fact Practice and Assessments.
Students also participate in Communication Math which develops problem solving strategies and has students thinking, speaking and writing about the strategies they use to solve mathematical problems. All students have a math portfolio that documents growth in all mathematical areas (K-8).
Primary Math Courses: Saxon 1, Saxon 2 and Saxon 3
[top]
Science
Major Units of Study: Day and Night, Life Cycles, Simple Machines, Ecology, Human Body and Basic Physical Science
Science is more than a body of facts. Scientific inquiry and the process by which these inquiries are answered are the basis for our Science Program. Developing in-depth scientific process and lab skills is our primary goal. Our students are actively learning the scientific process through whole and small group science projects and experiments.
The very same process skills used by scientists in the field are the foundation for all of the learning that takes place in our labs. Process skills are revisited at all grade levels in order to ensure that the scientific process is mastered not as a set of rules but as ways of finding answers. Students are active participants, acting as mathematicians, scientists and technologists as they wrestle with problems facing our world such as environmental dangers. The program addresses challenges, emulating the work of experts in the field, complemented by projects and hands-on experiments. Science is the springboard for interdisciplinary project work that often becomes our Museum Night exhibits.
Instructional Materials: Windows on Science by Optical Data; Fresh Science by Scratch Cats; Delta Labs; Wild Goose Labs; Variety of Supplemental Resources
[top]
Social Studies
Major Units of Study: Geography, Map Skills, Community, Community Helpers, Citizenship, Economics, Holidays, American Heroes and Cultures
History, Geography and Social Studies emphasize the interdependent nature of humanity. It is crucial that our students know about people, places and their impact on our global community. Students learn to draw upon the experiences of people through hands-on projects, learning expeditions and interaction with real world experiences, acquiring skills to become informed citizens. Students move from learning about themselves and their own lifestyles to exploring the histories of world cultures. Through this study of societies, students will come to celebrate and appreciate the world’s diversity. Through discussions, primary sources, hands-on projects, guest speakers, learning expeditions and relevant literature, the student is drawn into cultural awareness. GFA strives to integrate as many elements as possible into the social studies curriculum, utilizing literature, music, art and a wealth of community resources.
Instructional Materials: Map Essentials by National Geographic; Classroom Atlas by Nystrom; Variety of Supplemental Resources
[top]
Religious Studies
Judaism is both a religion, as well as a civilization made up of an entire culture. One goal of the Religious Studies program is to ensure that students learn about the Jewish religion and culture. This provides all students with an appreciation of the beauty and significance of Jewish heritage and practices while respecting religious and cultural diversity. Our school is committed not only to the acquisition of Judaic knowledge, but also the development of universal values, enlarging the human spirit, and the growth of the individual. The program integrates these ethics and values, such as Tikun Olam (repairing the world), Tzedakah (acts of charity), and G’milut Chassadim (compassion and respect toward others) into the overall curriculum.
The program integrates Jewish history, holidays, literature, current events, music, art, and dance into the overall curriculum. Every effort is made to draw connections for all students to the themes brought up in Religious Studies. Primary students participate in Religious Studies twice a week.
Curriculum includes: Bible stories of Genesis, Exodus, Daniel, Jonah and Esther; Introduction to Calendar; Mitzvah; Holidays, and Hebrew Alphabet
[top]
Social & Emotional
Our program goals for social and emotional growth include: verbal problem solving, increasing independence to deal with social interaction and routines; building resiliency and risk-taking by supporting self-esteem; modeling and guiding children’s interactions to help each behave as a positive role model; developing more self-control and acknowledging responsibility for actions; thinking about choices in reacting to different situations; and promoting respect and acceptance for different learning styles and strengths. We teach, model, and practice behaviors that are expected not only in the classroom and playground but also throughout the school and in life. Values and expected behaviors are an integral part of each day. Verbalizing feelings is encouraged to promote empathy. The teachers, as well as the students themselves, acknowledge and support success and positive behavior.
[top]