HEALTH AND WELLNESS INTEGRATED CURRICULUM
Nap Ford Community School offers a comprehensive Health and Wellness curricula, which is fundamental to the development of health literacy. Health literacy is the ability to obtain, interpret, and understand basic health information and services, and the competence to use the information or services in ways that promote healthy living. A person who is health literate is:
- A critical thinker and problem solver
- A responsible productive citizen
- A self-directed learner
- An effective communicator
Students will develop a foundation of social, physical, academic, and financial health and wellness through stimulating instruction and activities that promote health literacy.
- Know Your Body
- Mathematics
- Reading
- Technology
- Integrated Arts (Art/Music/Dance/Drama)
- Physical Activity
- Science
- Social Studies
- Know Your Body
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Know Your Body, a comprehensive skills-based health program developed by the American Health Foundation, provides the "skeletal" framework for the philosophy, curriculum and content in grades K-5. This integrated curriculum focuses on twelve Health and Wellness core modules designed to help children understand health concepts and develop skills in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, dramatic arts, and physical education. It is a combination of developmentally appropriate health instruction, cognitive and behavioral skills building to address a wide range of health and social issues through related topics. The primary goal is to empower children with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to make positive health decisions about issues including substance use, smoking, exercise, nutrition, dental care, safety, growth, development, personal hygiene, and self-management.
Students will learn strategies to take responsibility for their own thoughts, feelings, actions, and ultimately health. The following content areas are included:
- Skill Builders
- Nutrition
- Exercise and Fitness
- Disease Prevention
- Alcohol and Drug Use Prevention
- Tobacco Prevention
- Social and Emotional Health
- Dental Health
- Consumer Health
- Environmental Health
- Conflict Resolution/Violence Prevention
- HIV and AIDS
HEALTHteacher.com (technology resource)
This Internet site will address many of the topics found in the Know Your Body curricula. It includes teacher resources to help teachers understand skills-based teaching, assessment and how to apply them in the classroom setting through on-line tutorials. It addresses significant health and behavioral issues facing today's youth. Components provide everything needed to build a comprehensive state of the art health education curriculum based on national standards.- Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Environmental and Community Health
- Family Health and Sexuality
- Injury Prevention
- Mental and Emotional Health
- Nutrition
- Personal and Consumer Health
- Physical Activity
- Tobacco
Additional thematic modules that further integrate science and social studies will provide students with hands-on activities. The modules include:
Nose to Toes
Students will learn the answers to questions about growth, bones, muscles, organ functions, skin, body movement and the uniqueness of the individual. The lessons will help students associate their body parts with everyday activities and general health and wellness.Feeling Fit, That's It!
Students will learn to make appropriate choices concerning food and physical activity with these lessons. It teaches health and wellness through an understanding of nutrition, the Food Guide Pyramid, the cardio-respiratory system, and junk food.It's Up To Me
Students will study the importance of making healthy choices about personal safety, second hand smoke, and vandalism. Students will discuss assertiveness, self-esteem, and how to cope with conflict. - Mathmathics
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Nap Ford Community School currently uses the Wright Group Everyday Mathematics curriculum for Mathematics. "Everyday Mathematics is a rigorous curriculum used successfully across the country's classrooms with over 3 million students. It has been extensively researched and proven to build students' mathematical knowledge from the basics to higher-order thinking and critical problem solving skills. From the beginning, Everyday Mathematics has been grounded in research and field-testing conducted by a collaborative team of University of Chicago mathematicians, education specialists, administrators, and classroom teachers. Feedback and student success have been guiding forces from the first printing of the program."
Everyday Math is a school-wide mathematics program that enables elementary students to learn more mathematical content and become life long mathematical learners.
Everyday Math is a program designed with daily routines which promote responsibility and ongoing practice of math skills and concepts. Math concepts are supported by student participation in games involving multiple operations and higher level thinking skills. The curriculum blends projects and research to assist students in practical application of math skills in other content areas.
Components of Mathematics Program
Manipulatives
Manipulatives are integral to the Everyday Mathematics program. By emphasizing the power of manipulatives and helping children learn to employ them intelligently, Everyday Mathematics is working to make the mathematics in school resemble mathematics of the real world. Each grade level Manipulative Kit contains supplies to extend lessons and student learning. For teacher convenience, manipulative kits for each grade level of the Everyday Mathematics program have been assembled.Wall Charts
Everyday Mathematics Interactive Wallcharts, 34" x 22" wallcharts designed for Grades K-6, feature routines that are tied to Everyday Mathematics lessons. Each grade level-specific set contains six double-sided posters. These versatile teaching tools have a Write-on/Wipe-off finish and can be reused year after year.Card Decks
Teach students to count, handle money, use fractions, decimals, and percents, and understand time as expressed in words, numbers, and hands on a clock face with Everyday Mathematics Card Decks. Perfect for individuals, small groups, or an entire class, these cards help students practice and master a wide variety of math skills.Card Deck Activity Books
Everyday Mathematics Card Deck Activity Books provide teachers with information and suggestions on using the card decks with the Everyday Mathematics program. They also include new, supplemental activities and games for remediation and enrichment and can be readily used in the classroom, activity centers, or at home. The card decks and activity books can be useful tools for individualizing instruction and providing additional reinforcement of math concepts taught in the classroom.Games Kits
An alternative to worksheets and drills, Everyday Mathematics Games Kits teach important strands such as Numeration, Operations & Computations, Patterns, Functions, Algebra, and Geometry. Used in either whole class or game center settings, the Games Kits include all the materials needed for easy setup and play, and each kit features a selection of the program's most popular games.(http://www.wrightgroup.com)
Additional sites to support Everyday Math at home:
www.emgames.com is a great site for directions to games reinforcing mathskills learned in class
www.everydaymath.uchicago.edu for a glossary of math vocabulary and activities
www.everydaymath.org is a wonderful site as a reference of skills and concepts
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- Reading
- Reading First Program Description
This program focuses on putting proven methods of early reading instruction in classrooms. Through Reading First, states and districts receive support to apply scientifically based reading research – and the proven instructional and assessment tools consistent with this research – to ensure that all children learn to read well by the end of third grade. The program provides formula grants to states that submit an approved application. SEAs award sub grants to eligible LEAs on a competitive basis. SEAs fund those proposals that show the most promise for raising student achievement and for successful implementation of reading instruction, particularly at the classroom level. Only programs that are founded on scientifically based reading research are eligible for funding through Reading First. Funds are allocated to states according to the proportion of children age 5 to 17 who reside within the state and who are from families with incomes below the poverty line.
Overview
- Reading First is a focused nationwide effort to enable all students to become successful early readers.
- Funds are dedicated to help states and local school districts eliminate the reading deficit by establishing high-quality, comprehensive reading instruction in kindergarten through grade 3.
- Building on a solid foundation of research, the program is designed to select, implement, and provide professional development for teachers using scientifically based reading programs, and to ensure accountability through ongoing, valid and reliable screening, diagnostic, and classroom-based assessment.
Reading Block
- 30 minutes of Whole Group Instruction
- 60 minutes of Small Groups
- 30 minutes of Intensive Intervention for Struggling Readers
(http://www.ed.gov/programs/readingfirst/index.html)
The Reading Series (A Legacy of Literacy – by Houghton Mifflin), is built on a solid foundation of research, with systematic instruction and a variety of resources to ensure success for all. It will:
- Deliver researched-based reading/language arts instruction
- Feature quality literature that motivates students
- Utilize a variety of texts for different instructional purposes
- Integrate technology
- Provide a comprehensive assessment system which allows teachers to customize instruction
- Lead students to higher levels of reading and writing proficiency in preparation for the increasing societal and workplace demands
Each student will receive an initial assessment to determine appropriate placement. Students not performing on grade level will utilize an individual intervention program. Students performing above grade level will utilize a variety of genres that challenge and motivate.
Students will benefit from this Reading program that allots additional time to classroom reading instruction. It includes frequent home communication to assist parents with participation in the learning process. Students take home activities that demonstrate reading and writing success that can be shared with parents. This will reinforced the requirement of 30 minutes reading an evening at home (2 intervals of fifteen minutes).
Strategies are taught, which support reading the text as well as writing to communicate and extend word identification skills. Skill assessment is ongoing.
- Technology A core feature of the curriculum, enables students, teachers and administrators to:
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- Promote individualized instruction
- Increase academic/achievement scores
- Prepare students for future employment
- Maintain student interest
- Address the challenges of students with special needs
- Track student profiles to provide feedback to parents
- Increase learning and a life long skill
Students and teachers have access to computers for learning, production, practice, creativity and assessment. Students will learn:
- Basic parts of the computer
- Proper care of the computer
- Basic use of a Word Processor
- Basic software usage
- How to open a program, save, print and retrieve files
The school is built on the premise of a "sound mind and body". Technology will bring three major changes:
- Break down classroom walls – Provide contact with people and places students would otherwise never have met or visite
- Expand classroom resources – Provide the latest information, graphic images and software available at the click of a button
- Motivate/encourage independent, autonomous learning that we believe creates lifelong learners.
Students will be encouraged to become actively engaged in learning to effectively challenge, contribute, work cooperatively and manage information efficiently. Simply stated the goal is to produce "techno-literate" children who will incorporate the new technology learned in school into their daily living patterns.
- Integrated Arts (Art/Music/Dance/Drama)
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The Arts are an important method to express creativity and gain personal or social fulfillment.
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Students will:
- Create art and experience music, dance and drama;
- Seek and construct meaning through integration of the arts; and
- Understand the value of the arts in their cultural and historic context. School-community partnerships provide field trips and hands-on opportunities to explore the arts.
- Physical Activity
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Developmentally appropriate physical activities will include a balance of skills, concepts, games and experiences that enhance the physical, intellectual, social and emotional development for every child.
Students will:
- Develop positive self-concepts and an appreciation for physical fitness;
- Increase energy levels and provide opportunities for everyone to experience the satisfaction and joy that result from regular physical activity;
- Develop a functional understanding of movement, and energy concepts (body awareness, space awareness, effort and relationships);
- And build competence and confidence in their ability to perform a variety of motor skills (locomotor, non-locomotor, manipulative)
- Science
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Nap Ford Community School currently uses the Pearson Scott Foreman curriculum for Science. "Pearson Scott Foreman is the world's leading elementary educational publisher. Its full line of educational resources supports teachers and helps schools and districts meet new demands for adequate yearly progress and reporting. Its educational resources and services include textbook-based instructional programs, curriculum Web sites, digital media, assessment materials, and professional development."
Components of Science Program
Teacher's Edition
Easy-to-use, spiral-bound guide includes lesson plans, oversized mini pages, activities, and cross-curricular options.Student Edition
Hardbound student books teach important science content with hands-on activities for Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, and Space and Technology.Leveled Reader Teacher's Guide
Comprehensive guide includes lesson plans and practice worksheets for each leveled reader.Leveled Readers
Below-level, on-level, and advanced reading selections enhance science content and spark curiosity.Graphic Organizer Transparencies
KWL charts, word webs, and other organizers build vocabulary and reading comprehension.Test Talk Transparencies
Transparencies teach six test-taking strategies for test successAssessment Book Assessment pages with prescriptions for intervention and remediation ensure test success.
Activity Flip Chart
Two activities per chapter promote group discussions and interaction.Quick Activity Transparencies
Engaging activities begin each lesson by building background and activating prior knowledge.Workbook
Vocabulary, reading comprehension, and math practice corresponds to each chapter in the student book to strengthen understanding.Quick Study
Lesson summaries and review questions give students a quick way to test their knowledge at the end of each lesson.Science Songs and Activities Package
(Big Book also available)
Catchy science tunes in Spanish and English reinforce science vocabulary and chapter concepts.
(http://scottforesman.com)AIMS (Activities Integrating Mathematics and Science): Designed by teachers for teachers, AIMS activities and curricula are extensively field tested and aligned with key math and science standards, including many state standards.
The program develops four environments:
- Studying and integrating with the real world through hands-on investigations;
- Designing, using and interpreting appropriate data records;
- Utilizing graphic/pictorial representations to communicate data; and
- Engaging in higher-order thinking processes of hypothesizing, inferring, and generalizing.
Students are introduced to "doing the work of the scientist" in a hands-on mode, with fully structured lessons that provide the appropriate level of support. Students prepare to design their own investigations. AIMS is currently a supplement to our Science instruction.
- Social Studies
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Nap Ford Community School currently uses the Pearson Scott Foreman curriculum for Social Studies. "Pearson Scott Foreman is the world's leading elementary educational publisher. Its full line of educational resources supports teachers and helps schools and districts meet new demands for adequate yearly progress and reporting. Its educational resources and services include textbook-based instructional programs, curriculum Web sites, digital media, assessment materials, and professional development."
Components of Social Studies Program
Student Edition
Rich content, direct reading and writing instruction and skills instruction ensure that all students succeed.Test Talk Practice Book and Transparencies
Six worksheets per unit review test-taking strategies for additional practice. Highlight test-taking strategies to help students perform better on tests.Quick Study
Easy-to-read summaries of each lesson from the Student Edition help all students’ access content.Workbook
Provides repeated practice with unit vocabulary, concepts, and skills.Assessment Book
Blackline masters evaluate students' understanding of unit content and ability to apply skills.Vocabulary Cards
Key terms and definitions extend vocabulary practice and help all students access content.Every Student Learns Teacher's Guide
Companion lessons ensure that all students access content, activate prior knowledge, and build background.Leveled Readers Library and Teacher's Guide
Reinforce key social studies content at easy, on-level, and challenge levels. Leveled according to DRA™, Guided Reading, and Lexile®. Teacher's Guide contains lesson plans and activities for each Leveled Reader.Atlases
Easy-to-understand maps, facts, and glossaries introduce students to United States and world geography.Outline Maps
Comprehensive collection of reproducible outline maps for lessons, transparencies, and student reports.Big Book Atlas
Colorful maps of North America and the world help students learn about geography.Social Studies Plus!: A Hands-On Approach
Hands-on activities and projects develop key concepts through active student participation.Read Alouds and Primary Sources
Authentic literature and primary source documents add insight and depth to learning.Daily Activity Bank
Easy-to-use book with social studies facts and questions for every day of the week. Includes answer key.Celebrate Freedom
Inspire patriotism in your class with timeless songs, symbols, and sayings of the United States.Nystrom Atlas is a Social Studies program designed to build a solid foundation of essential skills and concepts. It develops multicultural awareness and sensitivity through an integration of frequent assessments and evaluations. As learning opportunities for diverse student populations occur, reading, writing, math, and science skills are reinforced. The outcome is the stimulation of intelligences, stronger critical thinking skills and an increase of learning successes for the student. Nystrom Atlas is currently used as a supplement in Social Studies instruction.
"Every Child Learning Computer Everyday"