Pike Elementary is a Colorado Reading First school. This means all curriculum is carefully aligned to support reading for all students. Each program that is in place is a strong curriculum program and enhance our students learning.
There is always a 90 minute reading block for core reading instruction everyday. On top of that our school also has a 45 minute intervention block to target all student needs and reinforce learned skills.
The Open Court Reading Program is a basal reading series used in a large number of elementary schools classrooms. It was one of two reading programs deemed acceptable to use in California schools when they adopted new reading textbooks in 2002. The other was Houghton-Mifflin Reading.
The series is published by SRA-McGraw-Hill.
There is both praise and criticism of the program among educators. Proponents of Open Court Reading believe that its focus on phonics and reading comprehension strategy use, both taught with very explicit instruction, benefit children. Some critics dislike the explicit nature of instruction, suggesting that it leaves little room for child exploration or teacher creativity, as constructivist models of reading instruction such as whole language. Success for All, a whole-school reform model that includes reading has been studied extensively, but Open Court has been tested experimentally far less.
Our school dedicates 70 minutes everyday for math instruction. We also follow the intervention model in reading to support learners math skills.
Everyday Mathematics is an enriched, comprehensive, and balanced mathematics curriculum for grades Pre-K-6. Developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project and based on extensive research, teacher input and field-testing, Everyday Mathematics teaches the basics . . . and a whole lot more. Students learn computational skills as well as a broad range of mathematics concepts including data and probability, geometry and spatial sense, measures and measurement, algebra and uses of variables. Used in over 175,000 classrooms and with over 2.8 million students, Everyday Mathematics has a proven legacy of success. Districts from all over the country have reported strong evidence of dramatic improvement student achievement and test scores.
Each students receives at least a 50 minute block of writing instruction. On top of this writing is also integrated with all other units of study.
The 6 Trait® Writing framework is a powerful way to learn and use a common language to refer to characteristics of writing as well as create a common vision of what 'good' writing looks like. Teachers and students can use the 6 Trait® model to pinpoint areas of strength and weakness as they continue to focus on improved writing.