Elementary Curriculum
Elementary Curriculum Guide
This page provides a general overview of Quaker Valley’s elementary curriculum. Parents are encouraged to speak with their child’s teacher for more detailed information about course objectives. Curriculum questions that cannot be answered at the building level should be referred to the Department of Instruction and Learning.
Elementary Curriculum
Mathematics
The elementary Everyday Math program focuses on developing basic skills and fundamental mathematical understanding over time, first through informal exposure to concepts and then through more formal and direct instruction of specific concepts. Students are taught these concepts through a “spiraling” sequence so they develop mastery over time. Students participate in many different math activities and hands-on games individually, with a partner, in small groups and as a whole class.
Math Standards: Pennsylvania | PA Core | Common Core
English Language Arts
The English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum provides each student with rich experiences in reading, writing, listening, speaking, phonics, word study and grammar. Reading instruction focuses on, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. Writing is emphasized at each grade level with instruction on developing ideas, sentence fluency, organization, word choice, voice, and conventions as well as spelling and handwriting. The HMH Into Reading program and Wilson Language Training Fundations program are the primary resources used in our elementary ELA classes.
Language Arts Standards: Pennsylvania | PA Common Core | Common Core
Science
Our elementary science program promotes inquiry-based learning, allowing students to develop their own understanding through questioning, analyzing information, and communicating with others. Students work cooperatively to build analytical skills such as observing, recording data, categorizing, creating journals, and communicating results. The Foss Next Generation Science Program and Smithsonian's STC Science Program are used as primary resources in elementary science.
Science Standards: Pennsylvania
Social Studies
Social studies topics share a common theme - people relating to and interacting with other people in their environments. The central theme of social studies is the study of people and their behavior in a variety of past and present situations. The following are subject matter areas of emphasis: political science; geography; economics; peoples of the nations and world; social studies skills and processes; and history.
Social Studies Standards: Pennsylvania
Special Area Subjects
In addition to the core curriculum, students participate in art, music, physical education, computer science, and library. The library schedule supports literacy and research projects connected to classroom curriculum.
Special Area Subject Standards: Pennsylvania