Northeast Elementary School

Academics - Curriculum

Math Resource - enVision 2020

enVision^® Mathematics © 2020 is the only math program that combines problem-based learning and visual learning to deepen students’ conceptual understanding. enVision is used by classrooms across the country and around the world. Lessons start with Problem-Based Learning, where students must think critically about a real-world math problem, evaluate options, collaborate, and present solutions. This is followed by Visual Learning to solidify the underlying math concepts. It’s the best way to help kids better understand math ideas.

Balanced Literacy Framework - Northeast’s Balanced Literacy Framework

Balanced Literacy is a framework made up of instructional elements aimed to guide students toward proficient and lifelong reading. Readers need a variety of different opportunities to learn. Teachers combine all the elements of literacy, phonics, language and writing together supporting students learning to read and write while growing in their independence of learning.

Word Study - Words Their Way

Word Study = Phonics + Spelling + Vocabulary Instruction

In word study, students develop a general knowledge of English spelling. They learn how to examine words through active exploration using a hands-on, manipulative approach. Students also discover generalizations about spelling, instead of just spelling rules. They learn the regularities, patterns, and conventions of English orthography (the part of language study concerned with letters and spelling) needed to read and spell. Word study increases students’ specific knowledge of words. Specific knowledge relates to the spelling and meaning of individual words. Students will be assessed in the fall, winter and spring to find the most appropriate instructional spelling level for them. Each student will fall in one of the following five stages of spelling/vocabulary: Emergent, Letter Name, Within Word Pattern, Syllables and Affixes or Derivational Relations

Literacy Enrichment - Junior Great Books

Junior Great Books provides a focus on high quality literature and student centered discussion. Additional support provided by the teacher to promote language art skill acquisition through a structured framework. Students develop in the areas of reading comprehension, critical thinking and writing all in the context of students having meaningful discussions about literature. Junior Great Books is widely recognized as an exemplary curriculum resource for its research base and positive effect on student achievement and interest level in reading.

Science and Social Studies

The Colorado Academic Standards serve as a starting point for content areas of study for each grade.

Balanced Assessment

At Northeast we use a variety of assessments to ensure student progress. Among those assessments are teacher created classroom assessment, the DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) AIMSWeb for fluency and Word Study Assessment. In addition, we have more formal assessments given multiple times throughout the year to help guide instruction.

i-Ready

i-Ready is one component of our balanced assessment system at Northeast. It is a single K–12 adaptive Diagnostic for reading and mathematics that pinpoints student needs down to the sub-skill level, and ongoing progress monitoring shows whether students are on track to achieve end-of-year targets.

i-Ready Diagnostic helps teachers understand the root causes behind student challenges. This is especially beneficial for providing differentiated instruction and for identifying gaps spanning back multiple years, or for determining where students are ready for further challenge.