Academics

The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy (Common Core State Standards Initiative).

Important Information about GATE

Please click on the link below for more information about GATE services.

Elementary Gifted and Talented (GATE) Programs

English Language Arts

The Common Core standards allow us to employ an integrated model of literacy. To be ready for higher learning and their future careers, students must be able to comprehend and analyze what they read.

In the early grades, we use a phonics-based approach to teaching the foundations of literacy skills. This approach not only teaches them how to read and write words but also builds their fluency and stamina as readers.

Math

With the implementation of the Common Core standards for math, we take a conceptual based approach to math instruction. Students work independently and with their peers to construct their arguments and to model their work mathematically.

Students also present their reasoning to their peers and engage in academic conversations about their reasoning. It is not about just computing the right answer anymore; it is also about knowing the mathematics behind the answer.

Students showing advanced levels of conceptual understanding may be accelerated by one grade level, typically starting in fourth grade. With parental consent, qualifying sixth graders may enroll at Cal Middle School to meet their learning needs. This is done in partnership with  Cal Middle School under the watch of the administration and teachers to make sure each student is excelling while participating in this exciting challenge.

Science and Social Studies

Science and Social Studies are part of our core program despite many years of the high-stakes testing environment which pushed many schools into focusing mainly on Language Arts and Math.

As students move on to higher learning, they not only need to know how to read and analyze the text associated with these subjects, but they need to have content area proficiency as well. Additionally, social studies are essential towards developing an active citizenry, a hallmark of our democratic society.

Physical Education

Students in grades 1-6 receive formal PE instruction weekly. Students learn how to stay healthy through regular exercise, and they learn to enjoy being active through building foundational skills in common sports games and activities as aligned to the PE standards for their grade. Team work and good sportsmanship are emphasized.

Library

Thanks to the PTO, our library is stocked with more than 5,000 books ranging from beginning readers to advanced non-fiction. Students come to the library weekly as part of their class, during which time they check out books, do printed and/or online research, and hear books read aloud.

Our library works in partnership with the Sacramento Public Library; our students have access to e-cards, which allow students full online access to SPL research sites such as several Gale databases, Academic One File, U.S. History in Context, and General One File to name a few.

Common Core

Many students have made good use Sacramento Public Library e-cards and various online databases that can help them with research projects. For instruction on how to use the e-cards, please email me (betsy.c.long@gmail.com).

Additionally, the American Library Association has put together a website that directs students to many different websites that are excellent for research. The address is: http://gws.ala.org/  Happy searching!