DPS Curriculum Guide

Danville Primary School’s Curriculum Overview

The elementary curriculum begins with a multisensory structured literacy model that focuses on the 5 pillars of reading - phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, phonics and fluency. Phonemic awareness and phonics is taught through the Orton-Gillingham (OG) methodology. OG is a multi-sensory alphabetic-phonetic approach to teaching reading, spelling, and writing. It incorporates auditory, kinesthetic, and visual learning. It emphasizes how to read and spell rather than memorization. Our literacy model is individualized through Guided Reading as students are taught at their own instructional reading level.

Writing begins with Kid Writing and transitions into Writer’s Workshop at the primary level. Mode-specific writing is incorporated at all levels.

Mathematics is taught through a balanced approach of teaching procedural and conceptual knowledge as well as math facts. The Ready Math curriculum is designed to engage students to become mathematical thinkers and reasoners. Children learn that there is not just one way to solve a problem. They also connect their learning to concepts they have learned previously. Calendar Math activities occur daily where children practice interpreting data and learn number concepts using the calendar. We recognize the importance of all students learning their math facts and students practice facts on a regular basis.

Science and Social Studies content is taught through literacy. Science is further enhanced through our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) classes.

Students have the opportunity for additional practice and/or enrichment through RTII (Response to Intervention and Instruction) time. Reading, Mathematics, and Writing are the areas that are emphasized through center-based work.

Our other courses are called Specials; these include Art, Health and Physical Education, Library, Music, and Spanish. Technology is also taught in grades 1 and 2.

Our Life Skills/MDS class is designed to meet the individual academic needs of students that require life skills of multiple disability support. Read more about it here.

Please access our course overviews to learn more about the curriculum for each subject.