Reading Instruction

We build a classroom environment to promote a love of reading and books. Our goal is to provide instruction that meets each student’s individual needs. The needs and levels of the students vary greatly. Some students will need beginning reading instruction. Others will be advanced. We are using a program developed by The University of Florida called "UFLI" (pronounced U FLY). This program features an explicit and systematic program that teaches students the foundational skills necessary for proficient reading and spelling. It helps the students develop the skills to read and spell automatically and with confidence. The program utilizes activities based on the latest research about how the brain learns to read and spell. Some scientists and educators call this research "The Science of Reading." You can learn more about UFLI at:

https://ufli.education.ufl.edu/foundations/

It follows an eight step routine that includes:

1. Phonemic Awareness

2. Visual Drill

3. Auditory Drill

4. Blending Drill

5. New Concept

6. Word Work

7. Irregular Words

8. Connected Text

   
   

In addition, we teach the sounds of the letters and groups of letters used to read in using a program called "The Secret Stories." Educator, Katie Garner created a wonderful phonics program in which she wrote stories about the letter sounds and groups of letters to give the students a reason "why" they say their sounds. For instance, "au" and "aw" really like each other. When they are together in a word, they get really embarrassed, turn red, and say "aw." See more at this outstanding program's website: www.thesecretstories.com.

Our lessons emphasize those skills that the latest brain research from scientists such as Stanislas Dehaene that help students build the "letter box" area of the brain to read. The activities or lessons are based on how the brain is wired for reading. This includes: phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

Dr. Edward Fry has identified the words that are used the most often in English. The ten most used words (the, of, and, a, to, in, is, you, that, it) are in almost every sentence. The first 25 most used words comprise one-third of all material. The first 100 most used words comprise about 50% and the first 300 comprise about 65% of all reading material. Therefore, you need to instantly recognize these words “by sight” and they are often called “sight words.” If you can read the first 300, you can read 65% of everything. We learn to use phonics to sound out the high frequency words or learn them by heart if the phonics rules don't apply. For instance, the word "said" is a heart word because the "s" and the "d" are easy to sound out. The "ai" sound like the short "e" sound. Therefore, we have to remember to say the short "e" in the middle.
​
Of course, we need to ensure that what we are reading makes sense. Comprehension involves forming a mental picture in our heads. We check for understanding and the meaning of the author.

Our spelling and writing programs develop a strong use of the sounds or phonics in English. This has been proven by research to be the more effective way to develop successful readers, writers, and students.

Math Instruction

Three types of math instruction are utilized at Elementary School age levels at The Capitol School:

• Singapore Math

• Montessori Math

• Constructivist Math

 Students in the City/State/Nation of Singapore have historically scored higher on standardized math tests among the students of the world.  Singapore Math features several visual-spatial methods to assist students in developing mathematical concepts.  The students move from concrete activities to pictorial activities to abstract activities. This is called the “C-P-A” method.
 
Some of the concepts we focus on in the 5-7 year old clusters include:

• Friends of 5, 10, and 20 or number bonds (Addition and Subtraction)

• Counting and Skip Counting (the multiples of the numbers to lead to multiplication)

• Place Value

​Next Generation Science Standards

We utilize the new Next Generation Science Standards. We design lessons to provide hands-on, concrete science activities for the students. Students in Kindergarten and First grade age will begin to develop an understanding of four core disciplinary ideas including physical sciences; life sciences; earth and space sciences; and engineering, technology, and applications of science. The students will begin to recognize patterns and formulate answers to the questions about the world around them.
 
Topics include:

• Forces and Interactions: Pushes and Pulls

• Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: Animals, Plants, and Their Environment

• Weather and Climate

• Engineering Design

• Waves: Light and Sound

• Structure, Function, and Information Processing

• Space Systems: Patterns and Cycles

We are on a biyearly schedule teaching the topics since most student spend two years in our cluster.  We do not repeat topics, but we might be able to present some concepts in a different manner for greater understanding and to keep things fresh and new for the students. Scroll down to see a list of our topics.

Educating Responsible Citizens

"Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Character education and the personal intelligences, Intrapersonal and Interpersonal are very important to us. Intrapersonal intelligence is understanding yourself well or "Self Smart." Interpersonal Intelligence, or understand people well is "People Smart."

We utilize a number of methods to develop these skills and intelligences. Our Guidance Counselor acts as our leader in these areas. She visits our classroom twice a week to work with two small groups to help us develop many skills including understanding ourselves well and understanding people. These are key principles in living an effective life. Her lessons may involve setting goals, getting along with others, ways to learn more effectively, and friendship plus many others.

The Capitol School utilizes a set of Lifelong Guidelines and Life Skills as identified by Susan Kovalik and Associates as a part of their Integrated Thematic Instruction (ITI) model.  These act as rules, but differ from rules significantly because they are important to all ages and situations in our society.  These guidelines become an agreement between the student, teachers, parents, guests, and peers that help us clarify our expectations of one another.  We continually learn how to interact with one another in our special community.  We encourage you to use these words at home to identify behaviors and provide consistency.  Our ultimate goal is to create lifelong learners and model citizens.

We read books about these skills in our classroom to understand what our goals are and how to use them. For instance, we might read the book, "Chrysanthemum" by Kevin Henkes to understand that we should use kind words when working with others.

We also have a "Calming Corner." This is a place where the students can go when they feel that they need a "time in," rather than a "time out." Perhaps a student feels overwhelmed, angry, upset, or scared.  It gives the student a chance to regain their physical and emotional control. They reflect on their feelings and learn how to deal more efficiently with emotions.

We also use a mindfulness program called "Inner Explorer."( innerexplorer.org)   We listen to an audio recording that guides us through stress reduction and creates a mindset of calming peace. It helps us increase our focus for learning and concentration.

Lifelong Guidelines

• Trustworthiness

• Truthfulness

• Active Listening

• No Put-Downs

• Personal Best

Lifeskills

• Caring - to feel and show concern for all others.

• Common Sense - to think it through.

• Cooperation - to work together.

• Courage - to be willing to take action based on my beliefs.

• Curiosity - to want to learn or know about my world.

• Effort - to do your best.

• Flexibility - being willing to change plans.

• Friendship - to make and keep friends through mutual trust and caring.

• Integrity - to behave according to what I know is right and wrong.

• Initiative - to take action when needed.

• Organization - working in an orderly way.

• Patience - to wait calmly for someone or something.

• Perseverance - to keep at it.

• Pride - satisfaction from doing your personal best.

• Problem-Solving -to seek solutions.

• Resourcefulness - to respond to challenges and opportunities in creative ways.

• Responsibility - to be accountable for the things I’ve done and to respond when appropriate.

• Sense of Humor - to laugh and be playful without hurting others.

Suggested Homework

• Help your child practice the at home UFLI word practice, Roll and Read, and decodable text from the latest lesson. A book to read to your child or allow your child to read might be sent home as well.

• Read to your child. Research indicates that children who are read to are the most successful students at school.

• Teach your child to lay out his or her clothes and items needed for the next day.

We hope that you enjoy the time reading each night with your child. This is a great opportunity for you and your child to sit together and bond. You will be able to see your child’s reading development. Again, keep reading to your child as well. This is very important. We do not expect you to read for more than 15 minutes per night. We want you to have family time, not homework time. We also know that as life happens, you won’t always have time to practice together. Don’t ever worry if you were not able to read or practice one night. We do not wish for you to feel stressed.

Our Schedule

The 5-7 Year Olds Cluster is divided into 2 groups. We have the Red and Blue Groups. One group typically works with one-two teachers in the classroom while the other group works with a different teacher in a different room. The groups then switch, so that each group has a chance with all of the teachers. The schedule is a bit different each day. This allows us time to have lessons in small groups with all of our teachers who present lessons on the various areas of Multiple Intelligences.

For Your Information