What Learning Looks Like at SCOPE

Language Arts

We use a structured literacy approach to teaching the language arts. Our curriculum  is built on the science of reading best practices and a proven framework. 

Phonics Workshop-GR.K-2

We use UFLI Foundations (University of Florida Literacy Institute). It follows a carefully developed scope and sequence designed to ensure that students systematically acquire each skill needed and learn to apply each skill with automaticity and confidence. The program is designed to be used for core instruction in the primary grades or for intervention with struggling students in any grade.

UFLI Foundations strikes the perfect balance between structure and responsiveness to students’ needs. The program features ample opportunities for students to practice, along with built-in gradual release. 

UFLI Foundations targets the following foundational reading skills: 

• Phoneme blending and segmentation practice 

• Accuracy and automaticity of grapheme-phoneme correspondences

• Decoding automaticity of words with previously learned concepts

• Explicit introduction of new concepts

• Decoding and encoding practice 

• Reading and spelling irregular words 

• Reading and spelling connected text

Reading Workshop

Our Reading Workshop approach teaches key reading behaviors and deep comprehension strategies using a predictable structure with direct reading instruction and time for student practice. Every day, the Workshop consists of: 

• a mini-lesson on a specific reading skill or strategy.

• an independent reading time when students read independently, with a partner at their reading level or one-on-one with teachers.

• a "share" time when students present their hard work to their peers.

In addition to one-on-one conferences during Reading Workshop, students meet in small groups with teachers to work on specific strategies to become better readers. The Workshop provides students with the instruction they need to improve how they decode or read words, building their comprehension of stories and their love of reading!

Teachers also use Flyleaf Publishing decodable books that provide beginning and struggling readers with abundant opportunities to transfer their newly acquired phonics knowledge to meaningful, engaging, and complex narratives, informational texts, and poetry. The research-based instructional materials support teachers in explicitly guiding students to develop the skills and habits of competent readers. The decodable books can authentically stand up to the rigors of both foundational skills and close reading instruction, making them a unique and invaluable resource for teachers and for students, who deserve the guidance that will enable them to become accurate, fluent, comprehensive, and joyful readers.

Writing Workshop

Our Writing Workshop is a rigorous curriculum that gives students the chance to develop strong writing skills, which will arm them with unbelievable power as readers, thinkers and makers of meaning. Every day, our students attend the Writing Workshop, where they learn new writing strategies and practice ones that have already been introduced. The daily workshop consists of:

• a short lesson focused on a single topic 

• guided practice-learners try out what they have learned and share

• independent writing, learners write! Drafting and revising writing in ways that incorporate the day’s instruction.

• an individual or small group conference with the teacher for guidance.

• a chance to follow-up with an ‘After the Workshop’ share, giving and receiving feedback from others.

By creating an inviting environment with an abundance of supplies and giving students the freedom to write about what matters to them, young authors love to write.

Math Workshop

Our Math Workshop encourages students to be mathematicians who investigate the big ideas of mathematics from Day 1. Our Eureka Math Squared curriculum connects math to the real world in ways that take the fear out of math and build student confidence-helping students achieve true understanding lesson by lesson and year after year. Curiosity and engagement are hallmarks of our teaching. The curriculum strives to instill deep, conceptual understanding that students can build on as high as they want to while also allowing them to find the joy in the subject. In math workshop students learn to think, strategize and solve problems… not just get answers. 

Throughout our daily Math Workshops, students:

• use manipulatives, digital  and visual representations to explore attributes of objects, likenesses and differences, the baseline for all problem solving.

• focus on deep understanding of small numbers, which enables them to work with larger numbers and develops number sense which is critically important.

• discover shapes and space in their environment, applying their knowledge of attributes to measure width, length, weight and capacity.

• play math games and solve puzzles reinforcing that math is fun!

 Students learn multiple math strategies, so they can solve more kinds of problems more efficiently, but they also gain a deeper understanding of mathematics and how to use it in daily life. Our students pursue mathematics with positive attitudes because they believe everyone can and must do mathematics.  

STEAM-Science Technology Engineering Arts Math/Project Based Learning

Our school follows the framework for High Quality PBL. Children learn best when curriculum comes to life. Hands-on, integrated, project based learning allows children to connect to big ideas and attach real-world meaning to what they are learning. Children participating in project based learning delve deeply into topics of study and are encouraged to ask questions, find answers and take ownership of their learning. Learners will work individually and collaboratively on projects to build character and can make a difference, allowing them to develop respect and compassion for individuals, our community and the global community.

Our school promotes innovation and inquiry through STEAM and PBL focused activities.   Learners have time  to wonder, question, play, investigate and learn by researching and making things. Students share, photograph, write about, draw and discuss what they wonder, research and create. They learn how to find and develop ideas, problem solve, collaborate, share and showcase what they have made or discovered. We believe that a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) integrated with literacy and social studies is essential for learners to become innovative and creative problem solvers.

Social Emotional Learning

At SCOPE we believe in educating the whole child, therefore social emotional skills are given as much priority as academics. We use the Harmony SEL program.  Harmony promotes positive peer relations among students through lessons and activities that encourage communication, collaboration, and mutual respect, helping students learn how to build healthy relationships beginning at childhood.