Curriculum

Language Arts

K-5 classrooms will be implementing 6 week units of study that integrate reading, writing, word study, research, social studies, science and health. Math is also integrated in each unit in addition to being taught in its own block. Each grade level will have several units of study across the year. During each unit, students will research different types of reading and writing, as well as a topic. Students will present their individual and classroom research at the end of every unit.

Math

The elementary school mathematics curriculum is based on the Minnesota Academic Standards in Mathematics. The curriculum builds students' mathematical understanding, skill and proficiency at each grade level within the strands of number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis, and probability.
Resources
Grades K-2
Bridges in Mathematics, published by The Math Learning Center
Grades 3-5
Bridges in Mathematics, published by The Math Learning Center
Project M Cubed - Mentoring Mathematical Minds, published by Kendall Hunt

Word Study

Students will have a systematic word study program daily at school. The program has five hands-on experiences with words each week. Students will not bring words home to practice, but will bring home the artifacts from their work at the end of the week. Students will bring home large vocabulary words around their topics of study to share with family members.

Science

The classroom teachers use district provided science curriculum as a foundation for students to learn science and engineering concepts and habits of mind. Students learn through hands-on activities, observation of phenomenon and reflective writing about investigations. Students learn to observe, compare, collect data, organize and analyze information and communicate what they have learned. In addition, classroom teachers use inquiry-based instruction to guide students through their learning. All students K-5 use science notebooks as a means of documenting their learning.

In addition, all students experience additional lessons with our K-5 IDEAS Coach (Inquiry, Design, Engineering, Arts, and Science). This opportunity allows for enrichment, extensions and/or further applications of science concepts and available for students to use during investigations and learning experiences, including: 3D printers, laser cutter/engraver, hand and power tools, measurement equipment, programmable robotics and authentic scientific tool for data collection and observations.

Health

The K-5 health curriculum, covers the following areas: Personal Responsibilities for Wellness, Healthy Family and Social Relationships, Human Growth and Development, Healthy Nutrition, Consumer and Personal Safety, Safety and First Aid, Exercise and Fitness, Drugs, Diseases and Disorders, and Decision-Making. The Harcourt Brace series is used in grades K-5.

Social Studies

Students will research social studies topics through integrated units of study. Every classroom will begin with a community unit as they establish the habits of mind of a strong learning and research community. The social studies program will provide the opportunity for each student to acquire the knowledge of content and concepts, develop the critical thinking skills and processing skills necessary for responsible social, political and economic participation in a diverse, interdependent and changing world.

Human Growth and Development

District 196 teaches a human growth and development curriculum to fourth and fifth grade students. The Human Growth and Development curriculum covers basic information about reproductive anatomy, physical and emotional changes during puberty, and proper hygiene. If you would like more specific information about what is taught in this area, please contact your school nurse. Parents who are uncomfortable with the curriculum after reviewing it or talking with the nurse may withhold their children from specific class sessions in which the curriculum is taught.

Students attend a specialist class each day. Specialist classes will rotate through the five different specialist areas.

Art

The art specialists teaches Visual Arts, using the Explorations in Art curriculum, which interweaves creative studio activities, perceptual awareness, art appreciation, and art history, and builds an awareness of art in everyday life. Students examine art from a broad multicultural perspective, and are encouraged to learn cooperatively in both large and small groups. They have the opportunity to experience a variety of art media, while learning basic art concepts and thinking skills. Student artwork is constantly on exhibit throughout the school. Student artwork is also highlighted in a yearly student art show.

Multimedia Arts

Multimedia Arts is a class in which students implement 21st century skills to create art, explore materials, use technology, tell stories and reflect on their life and learning experiences. Through hands-on experience using traditional art materials, students will practice Artist Habits of Mind, while learning the basics of using iPads and computers, implementing green screen technology, making movies, and writing original content for screen-based works.

Media Center

The Glacier Hills Media Center is a child-centered open library. Open check-out times and guided research times are provided during the day with teacher's permission. Students are welcome to check out books every day. The number of books allowed to be checked out is as follows:
Grades: K, 1st 1 book/ 2 books starting in January
2nd 2 books
3rd-5th 3 books
Extra books needed for projects are permitted. The student loan period is 10 school days.

Music

The music program focuses on making and listening to music, and responding to music that others have produced. Students sing, play instruments, move, and create music. Once a skill has been introduced, it is reinforced in subsequent grade levels. Student learning and understanding will be assessed through active participation in singing, movement, games, instrumental, and related curricular activities.

Students in all grades receive general/vocal music instruction for 50 minutes once every five days. Each grade level demonstrates their musical skills once a year. Performances are a reflection of the concepts and skills students have mastered, and help develop confidence in their ability to perform in a public venue. Parents, guardians, and guests are encouraged to attend these events, if possible.

Physical Education

Grades K through 5 use the Physical Education guide developed by the teachers in District 196 for continuity in physical education skills. The physical education program will provide every student the opportunity to grow through varied experiences that promote active participation and commitment to lifelong health-related fitness and wellness using enjoyable physical activity. District 196 expects all students to participate in physical education classes unless there is an appropriate written request for a student not to participate. Physical education classes are coordinated by a physical education teacher in the building. Students are strongly encouraged to have non-marking tennis shoes for physical education class.

Reading Recovery

This program gives assistance to selected first grade students in the areas of reading and writing. Incoming first grade students are assessed prior to the first day of school to determine who would benefit most form this additional help. Students selected for this program are given individual assistance for 30 minutes per day, five days per week, for approximately 20 weeks during the school year. This intensive program will provide a strong early intervention for first grade students who need extra assistance.

Student Assistance Team (SAT)

Children may be referred to the SAT by parents, school staff, or by an outside agency due to academic and/or social emotional/behavioral difficulties. The SAT consults and supports the classroom teacher in identifying and implementing interventions to support the student need.

Special Education Program

Special education services are available to those who qualify.

Gifted & Talented (GT)

District 196 provides a continuum of services directed to develop and meet the needs of academically gifted and talented students. Services include curriculum differentiation provided by classrooms teachers as well as academic/enrichment opportunities offered by building GT specialists. Additional activities may be offered after or before school in the form of competitions, classes and fairs. Students may self-select some opportunities, while others are offered based on standardized test scores and/or recommendations by classroom teachers. Students selected for more specialized programming meet criteria that are consistent throughout all District 196 schools.

Band

Students have the exciting opportunity to join 5th grade band during the summer prior to 5th grade. We highly recommend every student commit to this educational opportunity, as playing an instrument engages students' higher thinking brain skills. Research continually supports that instrumental music education raises IQ, particularly in spatial intelligence needed for many engineering fields, and in verbal ability. Students have the opportunity to explore cultures from around the world in Traditions of Excellence and Band Expressions curriculum. All students participating in 5th grade band are additional taught beginning improvisation techniques and will have the ability to play and perform jazz music along with other genres of music. Students perform in two formal concerts in 5th grade and will have additional informal small group performances throughout the year. More information can be found on the band website: Mrs. Smith's Band Page

Strings

Elementary orchestra/strings is offered to students starting in the 3rd grade via a lottery system. Each student is offered a small group lesson for 25 minutes, once a week, during Specialists. Large group rehearsals take place before school and concerts take place twice a year.

Da Capo Choir

Da Capo Choir is a musical group for all interested singers in grades 3-5. The choir learns to read choral music, increase breath control, and become more independent in part-singing. Practices take place for 8 weeks on Monday mornings before school, and the choir has a chance to show off their talent in a winter concert.

Assessments help guide instruction to ensure that educational goals are met. To learn more about assessments at Glacier Hills, please click here.