GCES has the unique opportunity to provide families with the choice of either a traditional elementary program or a Montessori program. The Montessori program is available to any student in Preschool through fifth grade. GCES provides a Montessori Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st-3rd grade (Lower Montessori), and 4th-5th grade (Upper Montessori) classroom. The Montessori philosophy provides students with specific hands-on manipulatives in all content areas. Students are presented instruction on these Montessori materials by a teacher and then utilize the materials to complete coursework. Each day students create a work plan outlining what works they will complete throughout the day and what materials they will utilize to complete the works. The class is organized into three hour work cycles for students to complete their work plans. Students also organize their own work space by taking out a rug and organizing their works and materials. Students are responsible for maintaining a clean and organized work space and caring for their classroom environment. 

Last school year GCES implemented the Amplify Science curriculum for Kindergarten through fifth grade. Amplify Science adheres to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) which connect to the fifth grade CMAS Science Assessment. Through this curriculum, students learn science standards in real-world applicable scenarios and each unit has a hands-on project for students to complete. If you are interested in learning more about the Amplify Science curriculum, click this link:

https://amplify.com/programs/amplify-science/ 

This is the second year GCES has implemented the Benchmark Workshop Reading and Writing curriculum for Kindergarten through fifth grade. Benchmark Workshop adheres to the Colorado Academic Standards which are modeled from the Common Core State Standards and is grounded in the science of reading. Through this workshop model, teachers instruct students in reading, writing, and phonics workshops with skills integrated throughout the workshops. This curriculum is GCES' first curriculum to directly address writing and provide teachers specific strategies to support students writing skills. If you are interested in learning more about the Benchmark Workshop Reading and Writing curriculum, click this link:

https://www.benchmarkeducation.com/benchmark-workshop-taller#workshops 

Beginning this school year, GCES is implementing the Bridges Mathematics Third Edition curriculum K-5. Our traditional 1st grade classroom piloted the Bridges Mathematics Second Edition curriculum last school year. Bridges Mathematics adheres to the Colorado Academic Standards which are modeled from the Common Core State Standards. Bridges includes a number corner, student activity workbook, and home connections book. The number corner is a daily whole-group interactive practice for students to introduce/reinforce mathematics skills. Bridges teaches students mathematics concepts through a concrete-pictorial-abstract learning progression. Students begin each concept utilizing hands-on manipulatives to develop a concrete understanding of the concept. As they develop mastery, the students move into an abstract understanding, completing problems through standard algorithms. Bridges also incorporates many mathematics games to keep students engaged. To learn more about Briges Mathematics third edition, click this link:

https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/curriculum/bridges-mathematics 

Studies Weekly is GCES' social studies curriculum for Kindergarten through fifth grade. Studies Weekly adheres to the Colorado Academic Standards which are modeled from the Common Core State Standards. This curriculum is presented in weekly newsletters for students to read and analyze, discussing topics demonstrated in the academic standards. If you are interested in learning more about the Studies Weekly curriculum, click this link:

https://www.studiesweekly.com/ 

Scholastic News is a weekly news periodical for students that covers topics in current events, science, and social studies! Scholastic News is available for grades 1-5 with students reading and analyzing stories each week. Scholastic News also offers opinion articles which help guide student debates and prepare students to write persuasive essays. If you are interested in learning more about Scholastic News click here:

https://sn56.scholastic.com/ 

GCES implements the Orton-Gillingham (OG) phonics approach for all students Kindergarten through fifth grade. The OG approach is a research-based phonics program grounded in the science of reading. Students complete activities on phonics and phonemic awareness to learn the rules and structures of words in the English language. If you are interested in learning more about the Orton-Gillingham approach click here:

https://www.ortonacademy.org/resources/what-is-the-orton-gillingham-approach/ 

E-Spark is a technology program supporting students growth in reading and mathematics. Students can complete lessons asynchronously with student lead missions, which students complete at their own individual levels, or teacher assigned lessons. E-Spark is utilized by teachers as an intervention resource for students who need additional support of specific concepts and as a "frontloading" technique to introduce students to new topics before teacher-led instruction. E-Spark is also an enrichment resource for students to practice skills above their academic grade level. Lessons are introduced to students in a fun and engaging manner and provides students games and actitivites to reinforce their learning. Students also can create their own instructional videos to reinforce their learning and teach their classmates concepts. If you are interested in learning more about the E-Spark program, click here:

https://www.esparklearning.com/ 

Lexia is a technology program utilized as a reading and phonics intervention program for students in Kindergarten and first grade, as well as students in continuing grade levels who need additional support. Students are required to complete a daily number of minutes on Lexia and progress through skills upon demonstrating proficiency. GCES has demonstrated tremendous growth in reading achievement scores utilizing the Lexia program. If you are interested in learning more about the Lexia program, click here:

https://www.lexialearning.com/core5 

The Six-Minute Solution is a reading fluency program where students practice reading (out loud to a classmate) a passage each day for one minute. The students partner tracks the amount of words the student read correctly, notes any mistakes the student made, and has a discussion about the findings with their partner. After finishing, the student who was tracking becomes the reader and the reader becomes the tracker. It is important for everyone to track progress in a graph to acknowledge fluency growth. The entire process is meant to take no more than six minutes! If you are interested in learning more about The Six-Minute Solution program, click here:

https://www.voyagersopris.com/docs/default-source/literacy/six-minute-solution/six-minute-overview.pdf 

Handwriting Without Tears is a handwriting program implemented in GCES Pre-school through fifth grade. Students practice their handwriting in both traditional penmanship and cursive writing. This program teaches specific and practical ways for students to practice their handwriting. If you are interested in learning more about Handwriting Without Tears, click here:

https://www.lwtears.com/solutions/writing/handwriting-without-tears 

Typing.com is the keyboarding program utilized by students Kindergarten through fifth grade. Typing.com teaches students the correct hand placement for keyboarding beginning with students understanding the home row and progressing through the following keys with correct hand placement. GCES values students learning and practicing their keyboarding skills to prepare for online assessments and practical skills for the 21st century workplace. If you are interested in learning more about Typing.com, click here:

https://www.typing.com/ 

Fourth and fifth grade students have the opportunity to participate in the 100 Elk Outdoor Education field trip around the beginning of each October. GCES conducts fundraising opportunities to lower the overall price for each student, but scholarships are also available for families in need. During 100 Elk, students spend three days (two nights) at the 100 Elk Outdoor Center participating in various team building and risk taking activities including a high ropes course, canoeing,  and archery, while also learning about environmental education. If you would like to learn more about the 100 Elk Outdoor Education program, click here:

https://100elk.org/outdoor-ed/ 

Young AmeriTowne is a economics instructional program where fourth and fifth grade students learn about a supply and demand market economy, while also practice life skills such as applying for and interviewing for a career. After completing the instructional program, students apply, interview, and receive career positions and then go on a school field trip to a mock town where the students run the entire city! GCES offers the Young AmeriTowne program to fourth and fifth grade students every other school year. This year GCES is offering YoungAmeriTowne! If you would like to learn more about the Young AmeriTowne program, click here:

https://yacenter.org/young-ameritowne/ 

Moving away from a traditional science fair, GCES has created the "STEM" fair emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In the STEM fair, students create their own science or engineering projects utilizing the design process. Students create their projects during school hours and use materials provided by the school district. The STEM fair is designed for fourth and fifth grade students, but students in younger grade levels may participate. Just like the Young AmeriTowne program, the STEM fair is offered every other school year. The next STEM fair will take place in the 2024-2025 school year. 

GCES and Gilpin County Middle School collaborate annually to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Fourth and fifth grade students, along with all middle school students have the opportunity to participate in the school-wide spelling bee each February. The winner of the spelling bee has the opportunity to participate in the statewide spelling bee, with the chance of competing in the national spelling bee in Washington D.C. If you would like to learn more about the Scripps Spelling Bee, click here:

https://spellingbee.com/ 

The Buddy Bison program is an environmental education program offered to students in small groups (either K-2 or 3-5). In this program students reinforce skills and concepts learned in their science curriculum in an immersive, real-life experience. Last school year, third through fifth grade students dissected owl pellets in their Buddy Bison program!  If you would like to learn more about the Buddy Bison program, click here:

https://parktrust.org/overview/buddy-bison-school-program/