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Supporting Student Growth in Math, Reading, and Science
Supporting Student Growth in Math, Reading, and Science
At Tolland Public Schools, we are committed to helping every student grow into a critical thinker, effective communicator, and responsible citizen. Our teaching in STEM and Humanities is grounded in research and aligned with Connecticut’s standards to ensure students are prepared for the future.
How This Supports Our Vision
How This Supports Our Vision
Curriculum gives students a clear and meaningful path for learning.
Instruction brings learning to life with creativity and care.
Assessment helps us understand how students are growing and how to support them.
Together, these elements ensure that every child in Tolland has the opportunity to thrive in a nurturing, inclusive environment.
Reading: Building Strong Foundations
Connecticut’s Science of Reading approach focuses on five key areas:
Phonemic awareness – hearing and playing with sounds in words
Phonics – connecting letters to sounds
Fluency – reading smoothly and with understanding
Vocabulary – learning and using new words
Comprehension – understanding and thinking about what is read
These skills are taught in ways that help all children become confident, lifelong readers.
Math: Thinking Like a Mathematician
In math, students are learn about and use the 8 Math Practice as they grow their skills as a mathematician.
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them- I never give up on a problem and I do my best to get it right.
Reason abstractly and quantitatively- I can solve problems in more than one way.
Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others- I can explain my math thinking and talk about it with others.
Model with mathematics- I see math in everyday life and I can use math to solve everyday problems.
Use appropriate tools strategically- I know how to choose and use the right tools to solve math problems.
Attend to precision- I can work carefully and check my work.
Look for and make use of structure- I can use what I know to solve new problems.
Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning- I can solve problems by looking for rules and patterns.
These practices help students build strong reasoning skills and confidence in using math in real life.
Science: Learning by Doing and Exploring
Science instruction in Connecticut follows the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), include a greater emphasis on students “doing” science, and a focus on applying science through engineering to solve problems. Engaging in the practices of science helps students understand how scientific knowledge develops. Engaging in the practices of engineering likewise helps students understand the work of engineers, as well as the links between engineering and science.
Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)- I ask questions that help me understand ideas or problems better.
Developing and using models- I can draw or build models to show my thinking or explain an idea.
Planning and carrying out investigations- I can make a procedure to investigate an idea.
Analyzing and interpreting data- I can identify and explain patterns in data.
Using mathematics and computational thinking- I can use math to solve problems, analyze data, or understand ideas.
Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)- I can explain my thinking and ideas.
Engaging in argument from evidence- I can support my ideas with evidence.
Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information- I can find reliable information I need and explain my ideas to others.
Students learn science by doing science—just like real scientists—so they can better understand the world around them and how it connects to their lives
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