AvalonElementary School

Curriculum At A Glance 

Reading

The student…

• decodes words to clarify pronunciation, uses context clues and predicting to construct meaning
• develops vocabulary by reading independently and using resources and references
• monitors reading on or above grade level by adjusting reading rate summarizing and checking other sources
• identifies examples of fact, fiction or opinion
• reads and organizes information from reference materials to write a research report or perform other tasks
• demonstrates knowledge of and supply use of graphic organizers/thinking maps to organize information in all
• content areas
• uses strategies to determine meaning and increase vocabulary (ex. Homonyms, prefixes, suffixes, word-origins, multiple meanings, antonyms, and synonyms)
• identifies, classifies and demonstrates knowledge of words from a variety of categories an or above grade level
• determines the main idea and connects ideas with relevant supporting details
• describes how the author’s purpose and perspective influence the text
• knows characteristics of persuasive text
• understands comparison and contrast, cause-and-effect and sequence of events

Writing

The student will…

• write a 5 paragraph essay (Narrative and Expository) with correct punctuation and proper sentence structure
• write using the writing process consisting of six traits; ideas, organization, word choice, sentence fluency, voice, and conventions

Mathematics

Number Sense, Concepts, and Operations

The student…

• reads, writes and identifies decimals through thousandths
• reads, writes and identifies whole numbers, fractions and mixed numbers
• uses symbols to compare and order whole numbers, fractions, percents and decimals
• explains the relationship between the decimal number system and other number systems
• demonstrates the inverse feature of multiplication and division
• uses strategies to estimate quantities of one thousand or more
• expresses a whole number as a product of its prime factors
• knows that place value relates to powers of 10
• translates problem situations into diagrams, models or numerals
• multiplies common fractions and decimals to hundredths
• determines the operations needed to solve one and two step problems
• finds factors of numbers to determine if they are prime or composite
• determines the greatest common factor and the least common multiple of two numbers
• applies rules of divisibility and identifies perfect squares to 144

Algebraic Thinking

The student…

• describes, extends, creates, predicts and generalizes or eliminates the numerical and geometric patterns
• analyzes number patterns and states the rule
• uses a variable to represent a given verbal expression
• identifies and explains numerical relationships and patterns using algebraic symbols
• models and solves a number sentence with a missing addend
• translates equations into verbal and written problems

Measurement

The student…

• develops formulas for determining perimeter, area and volume
• classifies and measures (ex., acute, obtuse, right or straight) and measures circumference
• compares length, weight and capacity using customary and metric units
• measures dimensions, weight, mass and capacity using correct units
• estimates length, weight, time, temperature and money for solving problems
• solves problems for determining perimeter, area and volume
• determines whether a solution needs an accurate or estimated measurement
• uses multiplication and division to convert units to measure
• uses schedules, calendars and elapsed time to solve problems
• estimates area, perimeter and volume of a rectangular prism
• selects appropriate unit and tool for measuring

Geometry and Spatial Sense

The student…

• knows and identifies symmetry, congruency and reflections in geometric figures
• describes properties of and draws two and three dimensional figures
• applies and compares the concept of area, perimeter and volume
• knows how to identify, locate and plot ordered pairs of whole numbers on a graph
• knows the relationship between points, lines, line segments, rays and planes
• knows the effect of a flip, slide or turn on a geometric figure
• knows the effect on area and perimeter when figures are combined, rearranged, enlarged or reduced

Data Analysis and Probability

The student…

• selects the appropriate graph for data
• chooses titles, labels, scales and intervals for organizing data on a graph
• completes and interprets circle graphs using common fractions or percents
• uses technology to examine data and construct labeled graphs
• uses a model to represent all possible outcomes for a probability situation
• explains and predicts outcomes that are most likely to occur and tests the predictions
• interprets and compares information from different types of graphs
• generates questions, collects responses and displays data on a graph
• identifies range, median, mean and mode
• uses computer-generated spreadsheets to record and display data
• uses a model to represent all possible outcomes for a probability situation
• designs a survey to collect and display data on a complete graph
• uses statistical data to predict trends and make generalizations

Science

The Nature of Science

The student…

• identifies and explains the reasons for documenting scientific activities
• identifies, explains, and describes, or applies the scientific process (i.e., accurately reporting and analyzing data, reaching logical conclusions that reflect the data, repeating investigations for validity, asking new questions, and communicating results
• knows to compare and contrast observations and results is an essential skill in science
• identifies ways in which people impact others, including inventions and discoveries
• knows that data are collected and interpreted in order to explain an event or concept
• knows that before a group of people build something or try something new, they should determine how it may affect other people
• knows that through the use of science processes and knowledge, people can solve problems, make decisions, and form new ideas
• identifies how scientific method affects progress

Processes that Shape the Earth

The student…

• knows that larger rocks can be broken down into smaller rocks, which in turn can be broken down to combine with organic material to form soil
• knows that 75% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water
• identifies the factors that alter the surface of Earth over short and long periods of time
• knows that some changes in the Earth’s surface are due to slow processes and some changes are due to rapid processes.

The Nature of Matter

The student…

• identifies properties and uses appropriate tools (e.g., rulers, balances, thermometers) to determine the properties of materials (e.g., density and volume)
• identifies different materials made by physically combining substances and/or identifies similarities and differences between mixtures and solutions

Force and Motion

The student…

• knows that an object may move in a straight line at a constant speed, speed up, slow down, or change direction dependent on net force acting on the object
• knows that the more massive an object is, the less effect a given force has
• identifies the net force acting on an object and describes the motion of that object

Energy

The student…

• knows how to trace the flow of energy in a system (e.g., as in an ecosystem)
• identifies the source of energy by their source and properties
• knows that most things that emit light also emit heat
• knows the many ways in which energy can be transformed from one type to another
• knows that various forms of energy can be measured in ways that make it possible to determine the amount of energy that is transformed
• knows ways that heat can move from one object to another

Earth and Space

The student…

• identifies and describes how the position of Earth in relation to the Sun impacts Earth and knows the effects of energy available to organisms
• identifies factors that change the amount of sunlight reflected from the moon to the Earth

Processes of Life

The student…

• knows that living things are different but share similar structures
• knows that living things compete in a climatic region with other living things and that structural adaptations make them fit for the environment
• identifies factors that benefit or slow down the development of different organisms in an ecosystem
• identifies and explains the process and importance of photosynthesis
• identifies characteristics of an organism that increase its probability of reproducing
• knows that the human body is made of systems with structures and functions that are related
• identifies the effects that changes in a habitat have on organisms

Social Studies

The student…

• study United States History through 1865, starting with the human migration to North America and ending with the conclusion for the Civil War

Ideas for Helping Your Child at Home 

• Encourage your child to share and discuss books that he/she reads.
• Check planner and encourage homework completion.
• Practice math facts; addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.