Curriculum

NOTE! The following is provided as a convenient overview; however, the program offering is so detailed and complex that the best way to experience it is to arrange for a tour of the school, talk to staff and teachers, and ask specific questions.

Contents:

• Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K4)
• Kindergarten (K5)
• Elementary Grades 1-6
  
  • Reading/Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social Studies

The pre-K4 program at Park Maitland School is designed to encourage learning while at play. Children this age learn best by 'doing' and using all of their senses. Because of this, we provide carefully planned centers and activities that are fun, engaging and challenging. We teach each of our students the social and emotional skills necessary to become a successful student, and we begin to teach conflict resolution and character development.

The reading and language arts curriculum uses the "Letter People" program, introducing alphabet letters and the hard consonant or short vowel sound of each letter. Students learn to participate in class discussions, listen attentively, follow directions and instructions, recognize all letters and their sounds, write their names, and increase their control of pencil grip, paper position and letter formation. For those who are developmentally ready, we offer opportunities to explore independent writing, transitional spelling, and beginning reading involving reading fluency as well as reading comprehension. Parent volunteers participate in our "Reading Buddies" program, offering a one-on-one supplement for reading skills. The themes presented in the language arts program are used in all subjects. This thematic presentation provides continuity and allows for higher level learning and interest.

Our Pre-K4 math program is a hands-on activity based program. Lessons are taught to the whole group and practiced and reviewed by small groups, individually, and through a math learning center. Each child is accepted at his or her own developmental level and works to improve skills. All concepts are first taught at the concrete level, gradually working up to pictorial representations and, finally, to abstract symbols. Major year-end accomplishments include counting by 1's to 50, sorting objects by shape and color, identifying and extending patterns, identifying shapes, and comparing/measuring objects by weight, amount, and size.

Science and social studies are also hands-on activity based programs. The programs are designed to provide young children an introduction to basic scientific and social concepts and make them aware of how these concepts are at work in their everyday lives. The social studies portion also builds character, helps children learn a classroom "philosophy" to live by, and gives them "peace-making skills" to empower them to find creative and nondestructive ways to settle conflicts and to live in harmony with themselves, others, and their world. Experiments and field trips round out the science program.

Pre-kindergarteners have a main academic teacher, supplemented by enrichment teachers and teaching aides in the areas of art, music, drama, Spanish, physical education, perceptual training (visual, motor and auditory skills), and swimming. Our 4-year-olds also enjoy the forever-loved Tea Party (play time and snack) every day.

K5

The reading and language arts program for kindergarten provides students with a research-based curriculum. The areas covered are: phonemic awareness, phonics and word knowledge, comprehension skills and strategies, inquiry skills and strategies, and writing and language arts skills and strategies. The themes that are used in this program will be continued in many of the other classes throughout the day. This program prepares students for first grade as emergent readers.

Kindergarten math teaches students strategies through math activities, instructional games, and daily practice, and cooperative learning group activities to enable them to better understand complex math concepts. They increase their critical thinking and mental skills and become competent in solving word problems. The kindergartners master addition and subtraction facts.

Science and social studies continue as a hands-on activity based program. Units include 'Our World,' 'Holidays,' 'Living Things,' 'Weather,' 'Earth,' 'Parts of a Plant,' 'Staying Healthy,' 'Pets,' and 'Dinosaurs,' among many additional topics.

Kindergartners have a main academic teacher, supplemented by enrichment teachers in the areas of art, music, drama, Spanish, physical education, computer, and swimming. They have Language Arts supplemental classes as well as "Centers" time where they can participate in group and individual activities to complement and enrich their academic classes. The kindergartners also enjoy Tea Party (play time and snack) in Jelly Fudge Park every day.

Elementary Grades 1-6

Park Maitland School is unique in our departmentalized approach for elementary students. Each grade level is divided into class-sized groups. The students in these groups move throughout the day for differing subjects and teachers. Academic courses include reading, language arts, math, science, and social studies. Each of these is taught by a teacher who either has a specialty in that field or a love for teaching that particular subject. Enrichment courses include art, music, drama, Spanish, physical education, computer, library skills, and swimming through grade 4.

Reading/Language Arts
The language arts program includes the experiences gained and skills taught in the following classes: reading, English, spelling and writing (E.S.W.), reading lab, language arts lab, library skills, and grammar lab. The entire program seeks to build a lifetime love of reading and foster a love of oral and written expression.

The reading program used in grades K5 and 1st is Open Court; grades 2-5 use MacMillan-McGraw Hill Reading and grade 6 uses the Glencoe basal text. Most reading classes are taught above grade level. Comprehension strategies are taught at all levels, phonics is introduced in a very systematic progression, and all grade levels use a wide variety of supplemental reading materials in order to build decoding skills. Age-appropriate written and oral book reports enable the children to experience many different genres and authors' styles in addition to developing self-confidence and personal responsibility.

E.S.W. provides a concentrated study of grammar, composition, and mechanics. Basal materials, often above grade level, as well as supplemental materials allow each teacher to enrich and enhance the program to meet individual needs and abilities.

Students learn to organize concepts and to write clearly and creatively. Activities are designed to enforce skills while stimulating communicative development. Emphasis in grades 5-6 is placed on research and critical thinking. Many activities such as "Jelly Fudge Friends," the spelling bees, an Indian Feast culminating the students' study of the works of Rudyard Kipling and his India, and the research paper are coordinated with other academic areas.

Interdisciplinary activities and speakers, the Internet (with safety and usage guidelines), and the "Accelerated Reader" program offer an advanced curriculum.

Mathematics
Instruction in math at Park Maitland School is designed to increase critical thinking skills, creative thinking, mental math strategies, and decision-making abilities along with building computational proficiency. This is accomplished by teaching math so it relates to other subject areas and real-life situations. The presentation in the classroom utilizes a variety of teaching strategies including:

• cooperative learning
• teacher-directed lessons
• hands-on lessons
• whole group and small group activities

Our teachers plan their lessons to reach all of the learners; plans include auditory, visual and kinesthetic activities. There is also a focus placed on the development of multiple strategies and an organized approach to problem solving. Grades K5-3 utilize the Saxon curriculum materials. We use Harcourt Math for grades 4-5, and Middle School Math by Holt, Rinehart & Wilson for grade 6.

We strive to have our students engaged as problem solvers as they work through the systematic and carefully considered spiral curriculum. This allows them to learn at their own pace as the concepts are constantly reviewed and expanded upon as they progress through their math education.

Science
The students work regularly in small groups with a wide variety of "hands-on" activities and experiments, which enables the instructor to accommodate the individual student's learning modalities and needs. The science teachers work cooperatively to continually improve upon the uses of a curriculum that provides continuity throughout the grade levels. Teachers also strive to integrate their science lessons with other subject areas that the students are studying.

Numerous field trips, speakers and experimental projects such as Earthworm Acres (compost project), butterfly garden and vegetable garden, animal dissection, "Critter Cottage" duties, and various other experiments are implemented on a continuous basis. The yearly "Science Expo" program provides opportunities for students to display their creative talents in direct relation to scientific investigation techniques. The event is held at the Orlando Science Center, which is the perfect venue and background for our young scientists.

Social Studies
The social studies program begins in first grade with a focus on the role of the student in the family and society. The appreciation for the difference among families, communities, states, nations, and cultures is emphasized throughout all the grades. First graders study other nations and cultures, while second graders continue their quest around the world as well as studying physical elements and geography of the world. Third grade students specifically study Native Americans and early European settlers. Fourth graders focus on the states and regions of the United States and students study in-depth the history and geography of Florida.

Fifth grade social studies concentrates on the study of U.S. geography and American history from the age of European exploration to the Vietnam War. Our sixth grade students study world history and geography and are encouraged to develop an understanding of current events. Both the fifth grade and sixth grade students complete research papers in conjunction with E.S.W., library, and computer classes.

Social studies offers some of the richest culminating events and field trips of the school. The first graders enjoy a grand-scale "Thanksgiving Feast" and "Festival of Nations." Second graders experience an "Around the World Festival" and third grade students devote a whole day to a "Native American Festival" with presentations and dances by true Native Americans. In fourth grade, the students visit St. Augustine and enjoy its rich history. Two of the highlights of the fifth grade year are an overnight stay at SeaWorld and a four-day trip to Colonial Williamsburg. Our sixth graders have "Greek Day," "Indian Feast," and an in-class Supreme Court reenactment. They participate in an educational tour of Washington, D.C. Other visits for varying elementary grades throughout the year include "Medieval Times," the Space Center, Orange County Children's Safety Village, Fort Wilderness, Tibet Butler, and the Juvenile Justice Center, among many others.