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Curriculum Standards
Subject Overviews
Specialized Services

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Our curriculum is designed to help students develop intellectually, physically, emotionally, ethically, aesthetically, and socially.

We encourage students to become active, engaged learners and responsible citizens. At each grade level our teachers challenge students and help them achieve academic and intellectual competencies.

To make it easier to navigate, the curriculum is broken down by grade level, as well as by subject.

Curriculum Standards

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

Subject Overviews

English-Language Arts

The ability to communicate well: to read, write, listen, and speak, runs to the core of human experience. Language skills are essential tools not only because they serve as the necessary basis for further learning and career development but also because they enable the human spirit to be enriched, foster responsible citizenship, and preserve the collective memory of a nation.

The goal of our language arts instruction is to develop lifelong readers and writers. To reach that goal, Palo Verde teachers base their instruction on the California Reading/Language Arts Framework. This instruction employs the most effective methods available to ensure mastery of the skills that lay the foundation for further reading achievement.

National Institutes of Health studies indicate that students who are behind in reading in grade three have only a 12 to 20 percent chance of ever catching up.

Early and Late Literacy

To support students in first through third grade, Palo Verde uses an Early/Late Literacy schedule, four times a week (excluding Wednesdays) to reduce class size to approximately 10 students at the beginning and end of each day.

The Early/Late Literacy Program allows us to target students' skill levels and learning styles. In these small groups we can provide appropriate instructional pacing for all students to achieve in the areas of literacy:

Reading
Writing
Spelling
Speaking
Handwriting

Each grade level uses a specific collection of literature that exposes every student to a broad range of ideas, genres of literature, and high quality writing.

During the early/late hours you might see small or whole group instruction in:

Reading strategies
Decoding/Phonics
Reading Comprehension
Reading Fluency
Spelling and Word Work
Shared Reading and Writing
Writing Instruction
Modeled Writing
Individual Student/Teacher Writing Conferences
Literature Analysis
Literature Circles/Book Clubs
Readers' Theater
Literature Appreciation

These activities also extend into other subject areas throughout the school day.

Home School Connection

Children learn best when families and schools work together as a team.

Skills taught in the classroom need to be reinforced at home with daily practice. Home practice might involve:

Parent reading to the student
Student reading to the parent
Student reading independently
Engaging in conversation about the reading to strengthen comprehension and develop vocabulary
Spelling practice
Encouraging writing
Opportunities (lists, notes, letters, e-mail)
Monitoring homework for neatness, completion and accuracy
Providing a specific time and place for homework
Visiting the library

Literacy Intervention

Palo Verde has various resources for literacy intervention:

Reading Recovery
Reading Academy
Cross-age Tutors
Primary Language Tutors
Classroom Aides
JCL Tutors (Jewish Coalition for Literacy)

Please talk with your child's teacher if you are concerned with your child's literacy.

Additional Information:

Message from the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Read the introduction to English-language Arts Content Standards at the CA Department of Education
Download 2007 Reading/Language Arts Framework from the CA Dept of Education PDF (6.8MB)

Mathematics

A high-quality mathematics program is essential for all students and provides every student with the opportunity to choose among the full range of future career paths.

Mathematics, when taught well, is a subject of beauty and elegance, exciting in its logic and coherence. It trains the mind to be analytic - providing the foundation for intelligent and precise thinking.

Targeting Math at Palo Verde

Our goal is to develop competent, flexible, and confident mathematical thinkers through a comprehensive program incorporating both problem solving and computation.

We provide a comprehensive program including investigations, problems, and exercises.

Ours is a California standards based curriculum reflective of all mathematical strands throughout your child's elementary years.

Number sense
Algebra and functions
Measurement and geometry
Statistics, data analysis, and probability
Mathematical reasoning

Children learn best when families and schools work together. Full math literacy requires computational fluency, problem solving strategies, and critical thinking. Skills will be taught in class, though additional parent support and practice may be necessary to achieve mastery.

Our primary classroom focus is on mathematical problem solving; computation and fact competency support this.

Homework will be assigned on a regular basis. Students should complete assignments independently, with additional parent support as needed. Parents should review completed work and assist in correcting errors.

Our goal is to meet individual math needs of every child through differentiation of the curriculum including:

One full hour of instruction daily
Math integrated across the curriculum
Daily facts practice and review
Warm ups

Palo Verde Basic Math Fact Benchmarks

Grade	Addition	Subtraction	Multiplication	Division	Time
K	to 5
1	to 12	to 12
2	to 20	to 20			50 problems/4 minutes
3	to 24	to 24	to 10 x 10	to 10 ÷ 10	50 probs/3 min +/- 50 probs/4 min x/÷
4	to 24	to 24	to 12 x 12	to 12 ÷ 12	50 problems/3 minutes
5	to 24	to 24	to 12 x 12	to 12 ÷ 12	50 probs/2 min +/- 50 probs/3 min x/÷

To help meet our goal of mathematical fluency for all Palo Verde students, the following interventions may be offered:

Math Fact Club (determined by teacher)
Enrichment opportunities available to all students

Math Fact Club

Students in grades K-5 who need additional support mastering grade level math facts, are offered a tutorial program to improve their skill level.

Teachers refer students to this program and contact parents on how they can help at home.

Problem of the Month

Five times per year, the Palo Verde staff offers an optional enrichment mathematics program called "Problem of the Month." Students have the opportunity to work on a math problem that builds in complexity. At the end of the month, students have the option to come debrief the problem with the Palo Verde Teachers on a Wednesday morning at 7:30 AM. Details come home through the VOICE and classroom newsletters.

Math Academy

The District Math Academy, grades 2-5, is held on Saturdays at one of the PAUSD elementary school sites. Students are grouped with other children sharing similar difficulties. Each group of no more than 10 students works with a certificated teacher and an instructional aide.

Additional information:

Message from the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Read the introduction to Mathematics Content Standards at the CA Dept of Education
Download the complete Mathematics Content Standards for California public schools K-12 at the CA Dept of Education.

History-Social Science

The California State Board of Education has worked hard with the Academic Standards Commission to develop history-social science standards that reflect California's commitment to history-social science education. These standards emphasize historical narrative, highlight the roles of significant individuals throughout history, and convey the rights and obligations of citizenship.

In that spirit the standards proceed chronologically and call attention to the story of America as a noble experiment in a constitutional republic. They recognize that America's ongoing struggle to realize the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution is the struggle to maintain our beautifully complex national heritage of e pluribus unum.

While the standards emphasize Western civilizations as the source of American political institutions, laws, and ideology, they also expect students to analyze the changing political relationships within and among other countries and regions of the world, both throughout history and within the context of contemporary global interdependence.

Additional information:

Science

The elementary and middle school standards provide the foundational skills and knowledge for students to learn core concepts, principles, and theories of science at the high school level.

Additional information:

Physical Education

Physical education is a valued and integral part of our elementary curriculum. A traveling team of credentialed, physical education specialists provides instruction to all elementary school classrooms.

Grades 1 - 3 have a 30 minute lesson once a week and often work individually or with partners on activities that help improve locomotor skills, balance, manipulative skills, spatial awareness, directionality, coordination, and physical fitness.

Activities presented include movement exploration, cooperative games, stations, tag games, relays, multicultural rhythms, square dance, and fitness routines.

The equipment student's use at this level includes bean bags, foam balls, parachute, hoops, jump ropes, scoops, rhythm sticks, balloons, scarves, and a variety of other equipment adapted to this age student.

Grades 4 - 5 meet twice a week with more emphasis on specialized skills and sport activities. Students work in small and large groups while improving skills and learning sport related lead-up games. Consideration for and cooperation with peers is important as more time is devoted to team play and manipulative activity.

Fitness testing is incorporated at this level and includes the five components of physical fitness: cardiovascular endurance, body composition, strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility.

Debbie Bensen and Chris Berg are the physical education teachers at Palo Verde. See the staff page for contact details.

Proper Attire for Movement:

Students need to wear tennis shoes (no clogs, sandals, jellies, thongs, dress shoes, or boots), and comfortable clothing for movement on physical education days. Wearing approptiate clothing not only enhances participation, but is an important factor in preventing accidents.

Physical Education at Home:

What the student does outside the physical education class is equally important to developing an active, healthy lifestyle. Young children should be encouraged to participate in vigorous and unstructured play. Older students can choose structured activites that are meaningful to them.

Here are some things you can do to encourage fitness for the whole family:

Ride bikes or walk places within a mile or two, like friends' homes, stores, the library, or park.
Don't feel obligated to be good at a sport to play it with your child. Learn new activities together.
Pick a day of the week for doing physical activity together. Each week allow a different person to choose the activity.
Incorporate physical activities into children's birthday parties.
Work physical activity into your own entertainment. Invite guests to come play volleyball, badminton, or softball.

Additional Information:

Physical Education information from PAUSD
Download the Physical Education Content Standards from CA Dept of Education (PDF)

Library Media Program

The Library Media program aims to prepare students to become literate, life-long learners and trains them to be effective users of information. School librarians teach library skills and provide access to materials that support classroom programs and curriculum.

Library resources are available to students and staff on a checkout basis. PAUSD has an interlibrary loan service allows school libraries to share resources.

Palo Verde's librarian is on site four days per week. Each class has a scheduled time with the librarian once per week. Our librarian also assists our classroom teachers in organizing materials relevant to units of study.

Pat Hanley is the librarian at Palo Verde. See the staff page for contact details.

Additional Information:

Music

First through third grade students study music once each week for 30 minutes. Instruction covers the basic elements of music and introduces students to music from many cultures. Lessons are sequential and based on the Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards for California public schools.

Fourth and fifth graders may choose either instrumental or general music. Supplementary opportunities in music and the arts are brought to Palo Verde by the district and community resources.

PAUSD Maintains an All City Orchestra, All City Band and an All City Chorus for proficient student musicians. Call the Music Department for details (650) 858-1254

Lynette Skelton is the music teacher for grades 1-3 at Palo Verde. See the staff page for contact details.

General Music - Grades 1 - 3

Students in grades 1 - 3 receive 30 minutes of music instruction per week, taught by credentialed teachers with music degrees.

Students learn basic music skill, such as matching pitch, feeling the beat, using their voices, reading music and learning about music from different cultures.

Activities include singing songs, using simple instruments, playing movement games and creating compositions incorporating the building blocks of music.

General Music - Grades 4 - 5

Students in grades 4 and 5 receive two 40 minute lessons each week.

Students study music history, theory, composers, instruments of the orchestra and music from a variety of cultures.

Activities include singing, playing the recorder, listening, movement and playing percussion instruments.

The district music curriculum is conceptual and sequential and is based on the Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards for California Public Schools.

Instrumental Music - Grades 4 - 5

Fifth grade students who choose to study an instrument have two 40 minute lessons per week taught by music specialists. Fifth graders have the opportunity to study the violin, viola, cello, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, or flute.

A few fourth graders may have the opportunity to begin the study of a stringed instrument. Most fourth grade students are in general music classes.

All students develop self-expression, self-confidence and experience a sense of accomplishment by progressing individually on their instrument and working together in ensembles.

Students learn the rudiments of performance technique, music fundamentals, note reading, and basic theory. They perform a spectrum of culturally and historically diverse selections in class as well as in performances at the end of the year.

This conceptually and sequentially based program prepares students for more advanced music in secondary school and beyond.

The arts are a critical part of education and learning. They help students develop a wide range of skills that can be used in learning other subjects as well as in their careers and throughout their lives.

Additional Information:

Music information at PAUSD (including instruments and concerts)
Music content standards from CA Department of Education (PDF)

Art

Spectra Art is the PAUSD funded elementary art program. It provides students with sequential, standards-based art instruction over the entire school year. Students work with a wide range of media and processes.

Artist-teachers rotate among the classrooms of new teachers (first, second, and third years in PAUSD) providing weekly or bi-weekly lessons.

Charlene Temple is the art teacher at Palo Verde. See the staff page for contact details.

Additional Information:

Specialized Services

Early-Late Reading

Palo Verde maintains a staggered schedule for literacy instruction in grades 1 - 3, four days each week (excluding Wednesday), reducing class size to approximately ten students at the beginning and end of the school day.

This Early/Late schedule provides your child with more one-to-one instructional time with the teacher.

Parents will receive information from the classroom teachers the first week of school regarding the program, goals, expectations, and start dates for the 2007-2008 staggered day schedule.

Please contact your child's teacher if you have specific scheduling needs.

English Language Development

The English Language Development (ELD) specialist works with students who speak little or no English, in small groups and in their classrooms. We also have primary language tutors that work with students on language acquisition skills too.

Gifted & Talented Education Program (GATE)

Students who have been identified as academically gifted are challenged through enrichment materials within the classroom. The classroom teacher identifies the specific strengths and needs for these students. Additional District resources are also available to develop individualized materials.

Instructional Aides

Instructional aides work under the direction of the classroom teacher to provide small group support within the classroom. All of our 18 classrooms receive aide support.

To see a list of instructional aides, visit our staff page.

Psychologist

A psychologist is assigned to our site on a part-time basis. The psychologist works with the school staff to provide the best possible learning environment for all students. The psychologist is primarily concerned with each child's learning patterns and behavior in the school setting. However, parents with particular concerns about their children may call the school office to schedule an appointment.

Jan Sloan is the psychologist at Palo Verde. See the staff page for contact details.

Resource Specialist

A Resource Specialist is assigned to Palo Verde four days per week. This program is designed for students that qualify for Special Education services to assist with developing strategies to overcome learning challenges

Sue Ann McBride is the resource specialist at Palo Verde. See the staff page for contact details.

Reading / Math Academy

The District provides intervention support in the areas of reading and math during the school year. Reading support takes place after school two days per week. Math support takes place on Saturday at a designated school site in the District. Students are recommended by teachers to participate in this program.

Reading Specialist

The Reading Specialist provides individual and small group instruction to first grade students at risk for meeting grade level standards. In addition the Reading Specialist provides staff development to support learning needs within the primary level classrooms and for parents to support their child at home.

Natalie Bivas is the reading specialist at Palo Verde. See the staff page for contact details.

Speech/Language Specialist

A Speech/Language specialist works with students who have identified needs in speech or language development. The specialist also consults with parents and staff to support the language and speech needs at home and in the classroom.

Sabrina Cheng is the speech/language specialist at Palo Verde. See the staff page for contact details.

Student Study Team

The Student Study Team, consisting of the principal, resource specialist, speech/language clinician, school psychologist, and involved teachers and parents, discuss and make plans for assessment, program development, and evaluation of students within the regular education program. Meetings are scheduled twice a month. The classroom teacher will initiate and contact the student's parents to plan a conference date.