Curriculum

English Language Arts

Recognizing Letters : Children should be able to recognize most uppercase and lowercase letters.

Letter Sounds : Understanding and associating letters with their corresponding sounds (phonics) is crucial for reading readiness.

Basic Vocabulary : Children should know the names of objects, shapes, animals, and colors.

Storytelling : Understanding elements of storytelling, such as character, setting, and plot, and recalling key events.

Writing: Starting to form letters and writing their name.

Pre-writing skills : Cutting on a line, using a tripod grasp, copying simple shapes.

Expression: Express feelings, ideas, and needs verbally

Listening: Develop listening skills through stories, meeting times, and sharing

Math

Number Recognition: Recognizing and naming numbers up to 10 (or even further).

Counting: Being able to count accurately to at least 10, and eventually 20.

Basic Math Concepts: Understanding concepts like more than, less than, and equal to, sorting, patterning, measuring, counting, graphing, and matching.

Shape Recognition: Knowing and identifying common shapes, such as circles, squares, and triangles.

Science

Life: Explore human body, five senses, and healthy practices; Learn animal names, body parts, basic needs, and how animals and humans are similar; Explore how animals are born; Learn characteristics of birds, fish, insects, mammals; Learn plant names, parts of a plant, lifecycle, the basic needs of plants; Identify fruits and how fruits grow; Identify habitats (Woodlands/Ponds/Oceans/Deserts) and corresponding animals and plants; Use words that describe the characteristics of each habitat (e.g. dry and sandy); Identify farms with corresponding animals and plants; Know that the foods humans eat is from farms.

Physical: Use senses to gather information about objects. Make simple observations, predictions, explanations, and generalizations based on real-life experiences. Collect, describe, and record information through discussion, acting out, drawings, and charts.

Science Practices: Communicate information through speaking, writing, and illustrations.

Social Studies

Socio-emotional Skills

Being able to listen and follow simple instructions.

Develop an awareness of and appreciation for others

Develop awareness of self, family, classroom, school, and local communities.

Use pictures and illustrations to gain information and convey ideas.

Help make classroom decisions using democratic traditions.

Foster appreciation for self, community, and the importance of community helpers.

Explore holidays and traditions around the world in authentic ways.

Learning to share, take turns, and cooperate with others.

Developing skills for managing emotions and behaviors appropriately.

Knowing how to put on their own coat, go to the restroom, and other basic needs.

Kindergarten

English Language Arts

Reading Foundational Skills

The student demonstrates the ability to

• understand the organization and basic features of print

• understand spoken words, syllables, and sounds

• sound out and/or recognize grade-level words

• read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding

Reading

The student, with prompting and support, demonstrates the ability to

• comprehend and draw evidence from literary text

• comprehend and draw evidence from informational text

• ask and answer questions about key details

• use context to determine the meaning of words and phrases

• show understanding of the central idea in the text by referring to key details

Writing

The student demonstrates the ability to use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to

• name a topic

• provide some information about the topic

• with guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources

Speaking and Listening

The student demonstrates the ability to

• collaborate effectively with others, following agreed-upon rules

• continue a conversation through multiple exchanges

Language

The student demonstrates the ability to

• use grade-level conventions of standard English

• use words and phrases acquired through conversations and texts

Math

Counting, Cardinality, and Numbers Base Ten

The student will

• know number names and the count sequence

• count to tell the number of objects

• compare numbers

• work with numbers 11-19 to gain foundations for place value

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

The student will

• understand addition as putting together and adding to

• understand subtraction as taking apart and taking from

Measurement and Data

The student will

• describe and compare measurable attributes

• classify objects and count the number of objects in each category

Geometry

The student will

• identify and describe shapes

• analyze, compare, create, and compose shapes

Science

Life

The student demonstrates the ability to

• identify common needs of living things

• sort organisms based on observable characteristics and justify those categories

Physical

The student demonstrates the ability to

• describe the motion of a child who is playing

• describe how objects can be sorted using their physical properties and justify those categories

Earth

The student demonstrates the ability to

• prove the Sun provides heat and light to the Earth

• communicate what happens when the Sun’s light and heat is blocked

Science Practices

The student demonstrates the ability to

• communicate scientific thinking orally and in writing using both words and visual representations (graphs, diagrams, pictures)

• ask questions to further understanding and determine which questions are testable

• plan and carry out a simple scientific investigation

Social Studies

History

The student demonstrates the ability to

• ask questions about the past

• use ordinal words: past, present, future, next

• identify differences and similarities between self and others

Geography

The student demonstrates the ability to

• compare and contrast how people live around the world

• distinguish between a map and a globe

• give examples of food, clothing, and shelter and how they change in different environments

Economics

The student demonstrates the ability to

• give examples of ownership

• identify the difference between wants and needs

• give examples of spending income on wants vs. needs

Civics

The student demonstrates the ability to

• contribute to making and maintaining class community decisions

• give examples of the difference between democratic voting and decisions made by authorities

• give examples of qualities of a good citizen

• practice citizenship skills including courtesy, honesty, and fairness in working with others

1st Grade

English Language Arts

Reading Foundational Skills

The student demonstrates the ability to

• understand the organization and basic features of print

• understand spoken words, syllables, and sounds

• decode and/or read grade-level words

• read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension

Reading

The student demonstrates the ability to

• comprehend and draw evidence from literary text

• comprehend and draw evidence from informational text

• ask and answer questions about key details

• use context to determine the meaning of words and phrases

• show understanding of the central idea in the text by referring to key details

Writing

The student demonstrates the ability to

• introduce topics and supply reasons, facts, and/or details

• with guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources

• provide some sense of closure

Speaking and Listening

The student demonstrates the ability to

• collaborate effectively with others, following agreed-upon rules

• continue a conversation through multiple exchanges

Language

The student demonstrates the ability to

• use grade-level conventions of Standard English

• use words and phrases acquired through conversations and texts

Math

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

The student will

• represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction

• understand and apply properties of operations

• understand the relationship between addition and subtraction

• add and subtract within 20

• work with addition and subtraction equations

Number and Operations in Base Ten

The student will

• extend the counting sequence

• understand place value

• use place value understanding and properties of operations to add and subtract

Measurement and Data

The student will

• measure lengths indirectly and by repeating length units

• tell and write time

• represent and interpret data

Geometry

The student will

• reason with shapes and their attributes

Science

Life

The student demonstrates the ability to

• sort organisms based on their physical characteristics

• infer how an organism’s physical characteristics help it to survive

• compare similar characteristics of parents and offspring showing how they are alike but not exactly the same

Physical

The student demonstrates the ability to

• prove solids and liquids have unique properties

• identify the similarities and differences in groups of solids or liquids

• classify solids and liquids based on their properties and justify their choice based on evidence

Earth

The student demonstrates the ability to

• compare and classify Earth’s materials based on their properties

Science Practices

The student demonstrates the ability to

• communicate scientific thinking orally and in writing using both words and visual representations (graphs, diagrams, pictures)

• ask questions to further understanding and determine which questions are testable

• plan and carry out scientific investigations

Social Studies

History

The student demonstrates the ability to

• describe patterns and chronological order of events in the recent past

• arrange life events in chronological order

• discuss common and unique characteristics of different cultures using multiple sources of information

• identify famous Americans from the past who have shown courageous leadership

• identify and explain the meaning of American national symbols

Geography

The student demonstrates the ability to

• explain maps and globes are different representations of Earth

• use terms related to directions

• recite personal address

• give examples of how people use and interrelate with Earth’s resources

Economics

The student demonstrates the ability to

• give examples of types of jobs

• recognize that people choose jobs

• define a short-term financial goal

• discuss sources of income needed to meet short-term financial goals

Civics

The student demonstrates the ability to

• describe the characteristics of responsible leaders

• be both a leader and team member

• identify significant places (Statue of Liberty, Capitol, White House…)

• give examples of notable leaders of different communities

2nd Grade

English Language Arts

Reading Foundational Skills

The student demonstrates the ability to

• decode and/or read grade-level words

• read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension

Reading

The student demonstrates the ability to

• comprehend and draw evidence from literary text

• comprehend and draw evidence from informational text

• ask and answer questions accurately to show understanding of key details

• use context to determine the meaning of words and phrases

• show full understanding of the text when referring to explicit details and examples in the text

Writing

The student demonstrates the ability to

• introduce topics and supply reasons, facts, and/or details

• recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources

• use linking words

• include a concluding statement or section

Speaking and Listening

The student demonstrates the ability to

• collaborate effectively with others, following agreed-upon rules

• build on others’ talk by linking comments to others’

• ask for clarification and further explanation about topics and texts

Language

The student demonstrates the ability to

• use grade-level conventions of Standard English

• use words and phrases acquired through conversations and texts

Math

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

The student will

• represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction

• add and subtract within 20

• work with equal groups of objects to gain foundations for multiplication

Number and Operations in Base Ten

The student will

• understand place value

• use place value understanding and properties of operations to add and subtract

Measurement and Data

The student will

• measure and estimate lengths in standard units

• relate addition and subtraction to length

• work with time and money

• represent and interpret data

Geometry

The student will

• reason with shapes and their attributes

Science

Life

The student demonstrates the ability to

• prove organisms depend on their habitat’s nonliving parts to meet some of their needs

• make connections between a plant or animal’s structure or behavior and the function it serves

Physical

The student demonstrates the ability to

• prove direction or speed of an object may change due to an outside force

• explain the impact of forces on the motion of objects

Earth

The student demonstrates the ability to

• predict how weather and the changing seasons impact the environment and organisms (humans, plants and other animals)

Science Practices

The student demonstrates the ability to

• communicate scientific thinking orally and in writing using both words and visual representations (graphs, diagrams, pictures)

• ask questions to further understanding and determine which questions are testable

• plan and carry out scientific investigations

Social Studies

History

The student demonstrates the ability to

• identify community artifacts

• explain information on historical timelines

• organize historical events of neighborhoods chronologically

• compare past and present situations

Geography

The student demonstrates the ability to

• use map keys, legends, symbols, and intermediate directions

• identify various physical features

• identify how communities manage resources

• describe how size and character of a community change over time for geographic reasons

Economics

The student demonstrates the ability to

• explain scarcity

• give examples of choices people make when resources are scarce

• identify components of financial decision making

• differentiate between a long-term and short-term goal

Civics

The student demonstrates the ability to

• identify how people monitor and influence decisions in their community

• describe important characteristics of a responsible community member

• identify and give examples of appropriate and inappropriate uses of power and the consequences

• apply skills to resolve conflicts

3rd Grade

English Language Arts

Reading

The student demonstrates the ability to

• comprehend and draw evidence from literary and informational texts

• ask and answer questions accurately to show understanding of key details

• use context to determine the meaning of words and phrases

• show full understanding of the text when referring to explicit details and examples

Writing

The student demonstrates the ability to

• provide effective development of ideas, including when drawing evidence from multiple sources

• use reasoning, details, text-based evidence, and/or description

• organize topics and ideas purposefully and include an introduction and conclusion

• include linking words and phrases, descriptive words and/or temporal words to express ideas with clarity

Speaking and Listening

The student demonstrates the ability to

• collaborate effectively with others, following agreed-upon rules

• come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required materials

• draw on information to explore ideas under discussion

• build on others’ ideas and express own ideas clearly

Language

The student demonstrates the ability to

• use grade-level conventions of Standard English

• deliver a clear message

Math

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

The student will

• represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division

• understand properties of multiplication and the relationship between multiplication and division

• multiply and divide within 100

• solve problems involving the four operations, and identify and explain patterns in arithmetic

Number and Operations in Base Ten

The student will

• use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic

Number and Operations—Fractions

The student will

• develop understanding of fractions as numbers

Measurement and Data

The student will

• solve problems involving measurement and estimation of time, liquid volumes, and masses of objects

• represent and interpret data

• understand concepts of area and relate area to multiplication and addition

• recognize perimeter as an attribute of plane figures and distinguish between linear and area measures

Geometry

The student will

• reason with shapes and their attributes

Science

Life

The student demonstrates the ability to

• develop a scientific explanation regarding the stages of how organisms develop and change over time

• prove that various organisms develop differently over time

Physical

The student demonstrates the ability to

• identify the state of any sample of matter

• discover patterns as matter freezes and melts, boils and condenses

• develop a scientific explanation on the effects of heating and cooling on states of matter

Earth

The student demonstrates the ability to

• explain how Earth’s materials are broken down and/or combined into different materials (rock cycle)

• interpret evidence to prove some Earth materials are useable for human activity

Science Practices

The student demonstrates the ability to

• communicate scientific thinking orally and in writing using words and visual representations (graphs, diagrams, pictures)

• ask questions to further understanding and determine which questions are testable

• plan and carry out a scientific investigation

Social Studies

History

The student demonstrates the ability to

• compare information from multiple sources recounting the same event

• use historical objects to define historical evidence • sequence important events chronologically

• give examples of people and events that brought important changes to a region

Geography

The student demonstrates the ability to

• formulate geographic questions

• identify geography -based problems and examine the ways people have tried to solve them

• observe and describe physical and cultural features of a region

• characterize regions using different types of features (such as physical, political, cultural, urban, and rural)

Economics

The student demonstrates the ability to

• describe the difference between producers and consumers

• give examples of how trade benefits individuals and communities

• identify sources of income

• create a plan for a short-term financial goal

Civics

The student demonstrates the ability to

• identify and apply the elements of civil discourse

• give examples of the relationship between rights and responsibilities

• identify the origins, structures, and functions of local government

• identify and explain the roles local government, leaders, and citizens play in the government

4th Grade

English Language Arts

Reading

The student demonstrates the ability to

• comprehend and draw evidence from literary and informational text

• show full understanding of the text when referring to explicit details and examples

• use context to determine the meaning of words and phrases

• explain inferences drawn from the text

Writing

The student demonstrates the ability to

• provide effective development of ideas, including when drawing evidence from multiple sources

• use reasoning, details, text-based evidence, and/or description

• organize topics and ideas and include an introduction and conclusion

• include linking words, descriptive words, and/or temporal words to express ideas with clarity

Speaking and Listening

The student demonstrates the ability to

• collaborate effectively with diverse partners, following agreed-upon rules

• come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required materials

• draw on information to explore ideas under discussion

• build on others’ ideas and express own ideas clearly

Language

The student demonstrates the ability to

• use grade-level conventions of Standard English consistent with edited writing

• maintain clarity of meaning throughout the response

Math

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

The student will

• use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems

• gain familiarity with factors and multiples

• generate and analyze patterns

Number and Operations in Base Ten

The student will

• generalize place value understanding for multi-digit whole numbers

• use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic

Number and Operations—Fractions

The student will

• extend understanding of fraction equivalence and ordering

• build fractions from unit fractions by applying and extending previous understandings of operations on whole numbers

• understand decimal notation for fractions and compare decimal fractions

Measurement and Data

The student will

• solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit

• represent and interpret data

• understand the concepts of angle and angle measure

Geometry

The student will

• draw and identify lines and angles, and classify shapes by properties of their lines and angles

Science

Life

The student demonstrates the ability to

• construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that are interdependent and function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction

• describe how animals receive information through their senses, process the information in the brain and respond to the information in different ways

Physical

The student demonstrates the ability to

• identify and describe a variety of energy

• describe transfer and transformations of energy in a system

• Use evidence to explain that the speed of an object relates to the energy of that object

• Make predictions about the changes in energy that occur when objects collide

• Develop a model of waves to describe amplitude and wavelength

• Generate and compare multiple solutions that use patterns to transfer information

Earth

The student demonstrates the ability to

• identify evidence from patterns in rock formations and fossils in rock layers to support an explanation for changes in a landscape over time

• Use observations to explain how water, ice, wind, or vegetation affect the rate of weathering and erosion.

• Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth’s features.

• Describe the effects of obtaining and using fuel from natural resources on the environment

• Generate and compare multiple solutions to reduce the impacts of natural Earth processes on humans

Science Practices

The student demonstrates the ability to

• communicate scientific thinking orally and in writing using words and visual representations (models, graphs, diagrams, pictures)

• ask questions to further understanding and determine which questions are testable

• plan and carry out a scientific investigation

Social Studies

History

The student demonstrates the ability to

• analyze primary source historical accounts about Colorado history

• describe interactions among people and cultures that have lived in Colorado

• analyze various eras in Colorado history and their relationship with eras in United States history

Geography

The student demonstrates the ability to

• create and investigate geographic questions about Colorado in relation to other places

• use geographic grids to locate places on maps and images to answer questions

• explain how physical environment influenced settlement and growth

Economics

The student demonstrates the ability to

• describe unique resources and services provided in Colorado

• define choice and opportunity cost

Civics

The student demonstrates the ability to

• examine and discuss multiple perspectives on state issues

• explain the three branches of state government and the relationships among them

• describe how the decisions of the state government affect local government and interact with federal law

5th Grade

English Language Arts

Reading

The student demonstrates the ability to

• comprehend and draw evidence from literary and informational texts

• ask and/or answer questions accurately to show understanding of key details

• use context to determine the meaning of words and phrases

• explain inferences drawn from the text

• show full understanding of the text when referring to explicit details and examples

Writing

The student demonstrates the ability to

• develop ideas effectively

• use reasoning, details, text-based evidence, and/or description

• organize topics and ideas purposefully and include an introduction and conclusion

• include concrete words and phrases, sensory details, linking and transitional words, and/or content-specific vocabulary to clarify ideas

Speaking and Listening

The student demonstrates the ability to

• collaborate effectively with others, following agreed-upon rules

• come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required materials

• draw on information to explore ideas under discussion

• build on others’ ideas and express own ideas clearly

Language

The student demonstrates the ability to

• use grade-level conventions of Standard English

• deliver a clear message

Math

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

The student will

• write and interpret numerical expressions

• analyze patterns and relationships

Number and Operations in Base Ten

The student will

• understand the place value system

• perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and decimals to hundredths

Number and Operations—Fractions

The student will

• use equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions

• extend understandings of multiplication and division to multiply and divide fractions

Measurement and Data

The student will

• convert like measurement units within a given measurement system

• represent and interpret data

• understand concepts of volume and relate volume to multiplication and addition

Geometry

The student will

• graph points on the coordinate plane to solve real-world and mathematical problems

• classify two-dimensional figures into categories based on their properties

Science

Life

The student demonstrates the ability to

• Describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.

• Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water

Physical

The student demonstrates the ability to

• Use a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen

• prove that regardless of the type of change that occurs when heating, cooling, or mixing substances, the total mass of matter is conserved

• identify materials based on their properties

• determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.

• Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.

• Describe that energy in animals’ food was once energy from the sun.

Earth

The student demonstrates the ability to

• Support an argument that differences in the apparent brightness of the sun compared to other stars is due to their relative distances from the Earth.

• Find patterns of daily changes in length and direction of shadows, day and night, and the seasonal appearance of some stars in the night sky

• describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and/or atmosphere interact

• Describe the amounts and percentages of saltwater and freshwater in various reservoirs to provide evidence about the distribution of water on Earth.

Science Practices

The student demonstrates the ability to

• communicate scientific thinking orally and in writing using both words and visual representations (models, graphs, diagrams, pictures)

• ask questions to further understanding and determine which questions are testable

• plan and carry out a scientific investigation

Social Studies

History

The student demonstrates the ability to

• examine significant historical documents

• create timelines of eras and themes in North America from 1491-the American Revolution

• identify and explain cultural interactions between 1491 and the American Revolution

• explain important political, social, economic, and military developments leading to the American Revolution

Geography

The student demonstrates the ability to

• locate resources in the United States and describe the influence of access on the development of local and regional communities

• use geographic tools to identify, locate, and describe places and regions in the United States

• analyze how cooperation and conflict among people contribute to political, economic, and social divisions in the United States

• give examples of the influence of geography on the history of the United States

Economics

The student demonstrates the ability to

• define a capitalist market economy

• identify the products and services of financial institutions

• compare and contrast financial institutions, their products, and services

Civics

The student demonstrates the ability to

• describe examples of individual rights

• define criteria and process for becoming a citizen

• explain the three branches of the United States government and relationships among them

• describe how the decisions of the national government affect local and state government

Philosophy