Curriculum K-8

Language Arts Literacy
The balanced Language Arts Literacy curriculum includes Guided Reading/Literature Study Reading, Self-Selected Reading, Word Work and Writing.

In Guided Reading, teachers select the materials for children to read, along with a purpose for reading that is based on that student’s individual, developmental needs. The teacher then guides them to use specific reading strategies for that material and purpose. Teachers provide guidance in a variety of whole class, small group and partner formats. Reading levels are continuously assessed through the administration of the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA). Materials and resources used include, but are not limited to, Rigby, Wright and Scholastic.

In Literature Study Reading, teachers and students choose novels or trade books which incorporate themes that are included in Social Studies, Character Development and Social Issues. PLC takes a transdisciplinary approach to teaching strategies that enhances reading comprehension. Many of the materials used are Caldecott and Newberry Winners.

Self-Selected Reading, as a component of the balanced literacy program, allows students to make choices about what they want to read. Opportunities are provided, using a workshop structure, for children to share and respond to what they have read. Teachers conference with students about their books.

In Word Work, students learn to read and spell high-frequency words, and learn the patterns that allow them to decode and spell. Students practice new and old words daily by looking at them, saying them, chanting the letters, writing the words and self-correcting the words with the teacher. This program incorporates portions of the Sitton Program and Patricia Cunningham Big Word Resources. For students in grades 7 and 8, vocabulary development is taught through novel studies.

Writing includes both self-selected writing, in which students choose their topics, and teacher-focused writing, in which students learn how to write particular forms on specific topics. Students practice brainstorming strategies continuously throughout the year. Students are taught to use the writing process to improve their first drafts. All writing occurs during a workshop structure.

Social Studies
PLC utilizes the Social Studies Alive! Program for Kindergarten to grade 4, and the History Alive! Program for grades 5 to 8. The units of study include: Me and My World, My School and Family, My Community and Beyond, Regions of Our Country, America's Past, Ancient World and Medieval World, as developed by Teachers’ Curriculum Institute. This program is interactive and includes multiple intelligence teaching strategies and assessments. Learn more at www.teachtci.com.

Mathematics
This instruction is a combination of Everyday Mathematics and a traditional mathematics approach. Instruction is based on the individual needs of each student through on-going formative assessment.

Science
K-8 students learn about science through the FOSS Science program. This program was created to engage students as they explore the natural world. Students actively construct ideas through their own inquiries, investigations and analyses to appreciate science, learn new concepts and develop critical thinking. This hands-on, active learning program is experiment and experience based.

If you have any questions about Pineland Learning Center’s elementary curriculum, please contact our K-8 Curriculum Supervisor, Lisa Lamb, at 856-378-5020, ext. 160, or by e-mailing k-8curriculum@pinelandschool.org.