The elementary level curriculum is designed using New York State Learning Standards.
ELA | Mathematics | Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) | Science | Social Emotional Learning | Social Studies | Family Life |
ELA
All elementary schools in Saratoga Springs follow the New York State Standards for English Language Arts. ELA instruction at SSCSD incorporates research-based practices that include both direct, explicit instruction and opportunities for students to practice skills and strategies in authentic reading experiences. Teachers plan lessons and units to include whole group, small group, and, in some cases, one-to-one instruction using materials from American Reading Company (K-2) and the NYSED modules (3-5).
In addition, reading instruction includes components of literacy learning including vocabulary and comprehension development, decoding strategies, building fluency, sight word acquisition, phonics, and phonological awareness development.
Teachers have access to a variety of instructional tools, materials, and resources to design lessons that best meet the needs of the readers in their classrooms. Academic Intervention Services (AIS) are provided for students who need additional support, to meet the state standards in ELA. Instructional goals and teaching are based on the NYS ELA standards.
Mathematics
All elementary schools in Saratoga Springs follow the New York State Standards for Mathematics. Instruction at the elementary level focuses on helping students develop a strong understanding of number sense and operations as they begin to develop the basis of their algebraic thinking. Students will experience mathematical concepts and skills through the Standards for Mathematical Practice which are: make sense of problems and persevere in solving them; reason abstractly and quantitatively; construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others; model with mathematics; use appropriate tools strategically; and attend to precision. Students will begin to see mathematics as a way of making sense of the world around them. Mathematics instruction is tied to research-based practices by helping students move from a concrete stage of understanding utilizing manipulatives, to a representational stage involving more pictorial representations of objects, and then to the abstract or procedural stage. Along with a strong conceptual understanding of mathematics, each grade level has math fact or procedural fluencies to help develop skill automaticity for that grade level.
For students struggling with on-grade level standards and in need of additional academic supports, Academic Intervention Services (AIS) are provided to help students meet the state standards in math.
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a system of teaching positive and appropriate school behaviors, rewarding students for demonstrating those behaviors, and creating a safe learning environment.
- Be safe
- Be respectful
- Be responsible
PBIS utilizes a three-tiered approach, offering increased levels of behavioral support at each tier.
In Tier I, all students are explicitly taught positive behavioral expectations that align with the 3B’s
- Be safe
- Be respectful
- Be responsible
Students exemplifying these positive behaviors in our schools are awarded Blue Streak Bucks at the Elementary level and points via an electronic system called Live School at Maple Ave Middle School.
In addition to our positive incentive supports, students celebrate positive behaviors throughout the school year with school wide PBIS celebrations.
Students who need Tier II support are provided with small group, targeted behavioral skill interventions that promote positive social behaviors. In Tier III, student-centered planning is used to develop customized interventions with frequent progress monitoring.
PBIS establishes:
- A positive social culture
- The behavior supports needed to improve social, emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes for all students
- A flexible approach to support for students and families
Click HERE for our informational brochure from our District PBIS Team!
Family members and guardians offer a crucial role in supporting the success of their students. We at SSCSD believe that effective family involvement will raise student achievement! We welcome your involvement and commitment as we strengthen the ties between PBIS, our district, and our community.
Science
Science instruction follows the New York State Science Learning Standards. A brief outline of the topics explored at each grade level is listed below.
Kindergarten: Matter and Its Interactions, Pushes and Pulls, Ecosystems: Plants and Animals, Weather and Climate
First: Light and Sound, Structure and Function: Designs Inspired by Nature, Space: Observing the Sun, Moon, and Stars
Second: Interdependent Relations of Ecosystems, Structure and Properties of Matter, Processes that Shape the Earth
Third: Life Cycles and Traits, Weather and Climate, Forces and Interactions, Interdependent Relations of Ecosystems, Energy: Properties of Matter
Fourth: Waves and Buoyancy, Energy: Collisions and Conversion, Energy: Electricity/Magnetism, Structure and Function: Plant and Animal, Processes that Shape the Earth
Fifth: Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems, Earth’s Systems: Stars and the Solar System, Robotics and Automation, Structure, and Properties of Matter.
Social Emotional Learning
The district uses Second Step, a social-emotional learning program, that helps transform schools into supportive, successful learning environments uniquely equipped to help children thrive. Second Step aligns with the New York State Social and Emotional Learning Benchmarks.
- Social-Emotional Learning for Kindergarten – Grade 5
- NYS Social and Emotional Learning Benchmarks Alignment with Second Step SEL
Social Studies
The social studies curriculum in grades k-5 is comprehensive, diverse, and multicultural. The overarching goal is that each student will demonstrate a growing knowledge of history, geography, economics, and the political process. This supports a student to recognize the rights and responsibilities of diverse cultures and realize their role as a citizen in various communities. Students are introduced to many topics including geography; historical people, places, issues and events; local, state and federal government; politics; economics; civics and citizenship; rural, urban and suburban communities; and cultures around the world. View New York State standards for social studies.