Academics
Academics at AAECS
Our ELA and Math blocks are designed to allow time for whole and small group, teacher-led instruction, and time for independent or small group learning centers.
WHOLE GROUP INSTRUCTION
- Lesson Planned According to Learning Intentions (Objective, Purpose)
- Teacher Knows Success Criteria (Measured)
- Student Engagement Is Built-In
- Modeling
- Frequent Checks For Understanding
- Guided Instruction with Feedback
- Lessons Include Closure That Reiterates The Learning Intentions
- Students Practice Learning Independently, With Novel Situations
TEACHER-LED, SMALL GROUPS
- Data-Driven
- Responsive,Fluid, Flexible; Change Often
- Individualized Attention
- Able To See Progress by End Of Small Group
- Fast-Paced
- Direct, Explicit
- Skills Based (Not Ability Such as Leveled Readers)
- Needs-Targeted
- Grade Level Material
- Scaffolding
LEARNING CENTERS
- Engagement - Hands On
- Interactive with peers
- Exploration
- Focused Attention
- Differentiation
- Review/Challenge
- Teaches Responsibility
- Teaches Independence
- Teacher Observation
LEARNING CENTERS MATERIALS
- Plastic Sleeves/dry-erase markers
- Dice
- Playing cards
- Mini whiteboards
- Task cards
- Zippered plastic bags
- Headphones
- Plastic baskets/bins
- Writing materials
- iReady Math & Reading
- My Path: Lessons that are automatically set by the levels achieved on the diagnostic test or most recent benchmark.
- Content and skills increase as students successfully answer questions, or decrease when students struggle
- Teacher-Assigned: These lessons are assigned by the teacher to ensure all students have practice or challenges on grade level concepts. Teachers may also assign lower-level lessons to practice foundational skills.
- My Path: Lessons that are automatically set by the levels achieved on the diagnostic test or most recent benchmark.
REPETITION FOR LEARNING; ACCORDING TO RESEARCH
- 1-4 repetitions for gifted learners
- 1-10 repetitions for average learners
- 100+ repetitions for struggling learners
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Academic Resources
ELA Core Resources
Curriculum Associates, i-Ready Magnetic Reading: The Ready Reading program was introduced at the start of the 2021-22 school year. This standards-aligned, blended learning program includes individual students workbooks; online lessons that are assigned by the classroom teacher; My Path lessons that build upon skills at the student's individual proficiency level and an online diagnostic, administered three times each year. These diagnostics provide teachers will valuable data to provide additional support or enrichment. annually. Students access i-Ready through Clever. All lessons, manuals and teacher support for grades K-8 are accessed through an online Teacher Toolbox.
Understanding Your Student’s i-Ready Diagnostic Results
Introducing i-Ready to Families: English
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Math Core Resources
Curriculum Associates, iReady Classroom Math: The Ready Math program was first introduced at the end of the 2018-19 school year. This standards-aligned, blended learning program includes individual students workbooks; online lessons that are assigned by the classroom teacher; My Path lessons that build upon skills at the student's individual proficiency level and an online diagnostic, administered three times each year. These diagnostics provide teachers will valuable data to provide additional support or enrichment. annually. Students access i-Ready through Clever. All lessons, manuals and teacher support for grades K-8 are accessed through an online Teacher Toolbox. See links above to access information about these resources.
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All Subjects, Supplemental Resources
StoryWorks and StoryWorks, Jr (Gr. 3-5): All third grade teachers receive a monthly class set of StoryWorks, Jr. magazines and all fourth and fifth grade ELA teachers receive StoryWorks for their classes. Each subscription comes with an online login, which includes teacher resources and easily modified lessons, such as videos and read-aloud articles. All teachers in grades 3-5 are required to integrate this resource.
EPIC!: A wonderful, interactive, online reading library is free to students during school hours until 5:00 pm. Parents can purchase an account for evening use.
BrainPop and BrainPop, Jr: This supplemental program is available and has content related to all subjects. Students enjoy using this program and teachers are encouraged to explore this resource before seeking out other options to supplement instruction.
Generation Genius: This science and math resource supports interactive learning through labs and real-life scenarios.
2nd Step Social Emotional Learning: Second Step® programs help students build human skills—like nurturing positive relationships, managing emotions, and meeting goals—so they can thrive in school and in life.