Primary Continuum Curriculum

The McClelland School promotes the highest standards of academic achievement while considering the needs and gifts of each child. We educate the whole child in a safe physical and social environment through a program that promotes intellectual and physical development and service to others in the context of real life experiences. McClelland strives to prepare each child to be an enthusiastic life-long learner, prepared to face life’s challenges and choices.

Language Arts
The Language Arts program explores many reading and writing components and activities.

· Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills

· Develop decoding strategies, including phonics, context and picture clues

· Gain fluency in reading
· Develop vocabulary through integrated units of study
· Enjoy listening to different types of literature
· Develop skills to read for a purpose
· Begin to an understanding of grammar, usage, and mechanics
· Begin to understand the writing process
· Begin to learn spelling strategies
· Develop penmanship skills
· Introduction to Writers’ Workshop

Math
Students are exposed to a variety of concepts and applications. Students use manipulatives, worksheets, and traditional activities, and real context applications in order to develop their math reasoning skills, logic, and core knowledge.

· Patterns
·Measurement – linear, volume, weight
·Place value to 1000
·Money
·Addition and subtraction facts to twenty and regrouping
·Multiplication through 5’s
·Time – minute, hour, day, week, month
·Fractions – identifying to 1/8
·Geometry – identify plane figures and three-dimensional shapes
·Terminology

Themes of Study
Science and Social Studies are an essential part of the Primary curriculum. Each theme is actively explored through hands-on projects, books, videos, field trips, and guest speakers. Social studies topics include Presidents, Holidays, Cowboys, Colonial Times, Native Americans, and the history of the United States, Colorado, and Pueblo. In science, students study ecosystems (deserts, rainforests, oceans, polar regions), plants and animals, the human body, weather systems, and the solar system.

Enrichment Classes
Students regularly attend classes taught by specialists. Music, Art, Spanish, and Physical Education are an integral part of the McClelland experience.

Music
Singing songs and playing instruments, creating music; listening to and describing music, relating music to various historical and cultural traditions; participating in a holiday musical

Art
Introduction to elements, techniques, and processes of art, principles of design and sensory and expressive features of visual arts; relate the visual arts to various historical and cultural traditions

Spanish
Development and exposure to listening, speaking, and reading; exposure to another culture

PE
Learn and develop fundamental movement skills through developmentally appropriate activities; learn to appreciate the value of physical activity and its contribution to a healthy lifestyle