Elementary School
The Elementary Program at The Sagemont School emphasizes meaningful instruction for each individual child. Our small class size enables teachers to discover each child's individual strengths and challenges. Teachers develop specific objectives necessary for success in each grade level. Students are encouraged to think critically and work cooperatively in a mutually respectful setting. Students are encouraged to always strive for their personal best. Our "hands-on / student centered" curriculum incorporates activities within all the major subject areas of Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science.
Reading
In Pre-kindergarten through Grade 5, we utilize McGraw-Hill's reading program, a curriculum that motivates students and supports teachers. Students read award-winning fiction and content-rich nonfiction. Teachers enjoy carefully sequenced instruction, multi-level resources for independent reading, five-day lesson plans and ideas for cross-curricular and multicultural enrichment. Numerous technology and assessment resources, including unique Internet Connections, provide further support. This year we will continue to instruct our students in K - 5 using the Six Traits + 1 Writing Program. The 6-trait model, written by teachers, originated in 1984 in the Beaverton, Oregon, School District.
Mathematics
The Sagemont School is excited to be implementing Math Connects by MacMillan Mc-Graw Hill. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics released the curriculum focal points that are the foundation of Math Connects. The concepts are vertically aligned and expect a level of depth, complexity, and rigor at each level. The program includes diagnositic, formative, and summative, assessment, data-driven instruction, intervention options, performance tracking, as well as remediation, acceleration and enrichment tools.
Social Studies
Emphasis is placed on cultural studies that include exposure to the beliefs, customs and traditions of their own and other cultures through the use of stories, legends, myths and fantasy. Students will investigate families at home and around the world, basic needs, personal responsibilities, physical and cultural characteristics of the environment, holidays and celebrations, personal family histories, Native American and immigrant populations and the local community.
Geography is an integral part of our social studies curriculum in Grades 1 through 5. Students are encouraged to utilize multiple resources including maps, atlases, globes and the Internet to improve their geographical awareness.
Science
FOSS is an elementary school science program developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science with support from the National Science Foundation. FOSS program materials are designed to meet the challenge of providing meaningful science education for all students in diverse American classrooms and to prepare them for life in the 21st century. FOSS incorporates time-honored methodologies such as hands-on inquiry and interdisciplinary projects with contemporary methodologies such as multi-sensory observation and collaborative learning groups. The development of the FOSS program was guided by recent advances in the understanding of how youngsters think and learn.