Curriculum Overview

 

Grade Level Expectations

Kindergarten

In kindergarten, the students learn about the world around them in interesting and exciting ways. Kindergartners explore and learn through the use of centers, cooperative groups, fine art activities, and through technology. The students learn to communicate and interact with others and begin to develop life long learning skills.

First Grade

In first grade, the learning environment focuses more on the students' abilities to read. First graders begin by recognizing sight words and develop their reading skills into sound and word building. Within the Language Arts program, students will begin to spell words and write sentences. Many Math skills are taught as well, such as addition and subtraction. The first grade curriculum provides necessary skills to succeed into continuing grade levels.

Second Grade

In second grade, students continue to foster necessary reading and decoding skills. Second graders begin to write more fluently. Within the Science and Social Studies programs, students will begin to learn more about the world around them. Many more Math skills are taught as well, such as fractions and telling time. The second grade curriculum consists of skills to aid students in gaining knowledge.

Third Grade

In third grade, the students are exposed to a challenging and exciting year. Third graders begin writing in cursive and learn all of the multiplication facts. Many fascinating stories are enjoyed in the Language Arts program. Science activities and learning more about geography in Social Studies make up the third grade curriculum.

Fourth Grade

In fourth grade, the Reading program provides wonderful stories to learn about new worlds. Fourth graders learn about geometry, long division, and fractions in the Math program. There are various topics to discuss and learn about in Science. The State of Tennessee and the regions of the United States are the focus of the Social Studies program.

Fifth Grade

In fifth grade, more challenging learning skills and activities are at hand. Fifth graders become excellent writers, learners, and thinkers. Learning about the world and other cultures are the focus of the Social Studies program. The Science program involves the use of the Scientific Process to make predictions and to determine outcomes. The students will acquire more Math skills and will read fascinating stories in the Language Arts program.

 

Special Education Department

APEX

APEX is a program designed to meet the needs of state identified gifted and talented students. It is a pullout program that consist of four hours each week with the APEX teacher. Sycamore Elementary's APEX program will include: critical thinking, problem solving, creative writing, thematic studies, drama, and language study(Spanish).

Resource

The Sycamore Elementary Resource program is designed to meet the individual needs of Kindergarten through fifth grade students in the areas of Reading, Language, and Math. Resource provides a smaller classroom setting, as well as frequent opportunities for success and mastery of the goals determined by the IEP team.

 

Subject Area Expectations

Art Education

Art Education assists in the continued development of problem solving and thinking skills, as well as creativity and self expression. Students will be introduced to art works from various cultures, time periods, and styles. These concepts are made relevant to the students through hands on projects. Throughout the year, students will be working with as many different materials as possible including crayons, markers, pencils, paints, oil pastels, and clay.

Music Education

The Music Education Program incorporates many songs and movement for the children of Sycamore Elementary. The children will be using Orff instruments and singing with the Solfeggio method(using hand signs). The children will be studying all kinds of orchestral instruments, all styles of music, and composers throughout history and today. the children will be singing ethnic songs and dancing ethnic dances.

Physical Education

The Physical Education program develops many skills for the children of Sycamore Elementary. The focus will be on cooperation, good sportsmanship, and a sense of fairness. Students will increase flexibility, improve coordination, work on muscular endurance and cardiovascular endurance.

 

Library Media Services

Library

In the C*H*I*L*D*S Library (Central Hub for Intelligence, Learning, Discovery, and Studies), the students are exposed to many areas of the curriculum through books and technology. The library supports the instructional program of the school by providing materials to reinforce, enrich and extend classroom learning experiences. The librarian plays an important role in helping students develop a love of reading. Two important initiatives promoted through the library are the STAR testing program and Accelerated Reader.

Counseling Department

Counseling

The counseling department provides a developmental guidance program including classroom guidance, individual and small group counseling. Classroom guidance covers topics such as self-esteem, friendship, cooperation, goal-setting and career awareness. Small group topics include study skills, peer mediation, and conflict resolution. Other programs that are available include the student host program and peer mentors. Students, parents, teachers and/or administration are open to make referrals for counseling. Parents must give written permission for individual and group counseling. The guidance advisory committee includes a team of parents, teachers and administration.