Costaño School of the Arts

Teachers at Costaño use a Balanced Approach to Literacy which includes Reading and Writing Workshop, Word Study, Interactive Read-a-Loud and Small Group Instruction.  An integral component of a Balanced Approach to Literacy is assuring that children are reading and writing at their individual levels.  Therefore, children receive reading instruction through books that are at their instructional reading levels and practice reading at home at their independent reading levels.  Small Group Instruction assures that children receive the level of teaching they require in order to advance their academics.

 

Teachers at Costaño assess children in the area of reading using Fountas and Pinnell's Reading Assessments. In writing, Costaño  assesses children utilizing Teachers College Reading and Writing Project's On-Demand Writing Assessments

 

Reading and Writing Workshop
The district adopted English Language Arts program is published by the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project out of Columbia University.  Children move through Units of Study designed to increase their capacity to read and write effectively across all genres.

 

Each Workshop begins with a whole class, explicit and directed "mini-lesson."  These mini-lessons are designed to provide children with a repertoire of strategies they can use as readers and writers.  After the mini-lesson, children then move into Independent Work where they build their skills as readers and writers.  During this time, the teacher confers with children in either small group or individual sessions in order to build skills of specific learners not properly addressed during a mini-lesson.  A Mid-Workshop teach to the entire class is often provided to the children based upon what the teacher notices in the readers and writers during the Independent Work session.  Children then transition to Partner Share.  The workshop model recognizes that children's work as readers and writers is enhanced when they are required to share their reading and writing with others.  This act of "sharing" becomes, in effect, a way for children to further build and cement their understanding of reading and writing strategies.  The workshop concludes with a celebration of the work that was accomplished during the workshop period.

 

The adopted district math curriculum is published byTERC and called "Investigations."  Invetigations key components include a firm belief that all students are capable of high levels of mathematical reasoning and thinking, careful alignment to the Standards for Mathematical Practice, differentiated support, extensive assessment, and regular review and practice.  More information about Invetigations can be found by clicking here.

The adopted science curriculum is published by Full Option Science System (FOSS).  FOSS is built on the National Research Council's Framework for K-12 Science Education and seeks to provide students with opportunities to deeply investigate core science concepts in increasing complex ways.  Every grade level explores physical, earth and life sciences through hands-on scietific inquiries.  Click here to see the Scope and Sequence of units by grade levels.  https://www.fossweb.com/foss-modules

The district adopted social studies curriculum is Scott Foresman History-Social Science for California.  Units for each grade level are designed to inspire diverse populations to build critical thinking skills by learning from history. The goal of the curriculum is to help students become active, responsible citizens who are able to make a difference in the world.  For more information about our social studies curriculum, click here:  https://www.savvas.com/index.cfm?locator=PS1m8l

The district adopted SEL curriculum is published by Second Step.  Second Step strives to build stronger communities for children through social-emotional learning. Second step teaches children skills needed to work with others, to resolve conflicts, to build healthy relationships, and to make strong decisions.  For more information about Second Step, click here:  https://www.secondstep.org/elementary-school-curriculum