Academics » School Curriculum

School Curriculum

Standard Based Instruction

Our academic focus is on standards-based instruction and incorporating rigor. Units have been developed to facilitate this. Students also work on constructed responses to demonstrate deeper understanding of the standards. They show their work and explain their thought processes.

Our teachers have been trained in Write From the Beginning and are implementing thinking maps throughout the curriculum. It helps the students brainstorm ideas, organize their thoughts and develop their thinking skills.

Ready Common Core Mathematics:

  • Encourages students to develop a deeper understanding of mathematics concepts through the embedded Standards for Mathematical Practice
  • Builds on students’ prior knowledge with lessons that make connections within and across grade levels and directly address the major focus of the grade
  • Students reflect on their own understanding while making sense of and critiquing the ideas of others in a collaborative and supportive learning environment
  • Through Ready Math teachers establish a learning environment that welcomes student involvement
  • Students and teachers acknowledge and discuss errors and the reasons behind them so that students build greater understanding
  • Students question each other using mathematics arguments to establish the correctness of solutions.
  • Students reach and justify conclusions based on their own mathematics knowledge without relying on the authority of teachers.
  • Students engage in “productive struggle” with appropriate scaffolds for support.
 
Reading Wonders:
 

Solomon students use McGraw-Hill's Reading Wonders as the English Language Arts program. This program is built on Common Core State Standards and offers comprehensive support toward building a strong reading foundation.

Students practice foundational skill building of phonemic awareness, phonics and high-frequency words. Then strengthen fluency while working on vocabulary and comprehension to access complex text. Students work hard to find and use text evidence, while engaging in collaborative conversations. The Reading/Writing Workshop provides all core lessons in one place, while the Literature Anthology builds reading stamina with engaging anchor texts. Students have both digital and print access to award winning literature, word study games, and leveled readers.

Reading instruction is differentiated within the homeroom, ensuring success for students of varying ability levels and experiences. Ongoing student assessments and Progress Monitoring are conducted throughout the year to ensure success for every student. 

To visit your child's home page for Reading Wonders visit http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/connected/login.do
Here your child can play word study games, read online books, check for assignments, etc.
 
iReady
Solomon students also use i-Ready, an online program for reading and/or mathematics that personalizes learning to meet students individual needs. i-Ready allows teacher(s) to meet your child exactly where they are and provides data to increase your child’s learning gains. i-Ready consists of two parts: Diagnostic and Instruction.
The Diagnostic is given 3 times throughout the year to find out what your child's needs are. Instruction is adjusted in the classroom as well as through the on-line program.
 
i-Ready Instruction provides students with lessons based on their individual skill level and needs, so your child can learn at a pace that is just right for them. These lessons are fun and interactive to keep your child engaged as they learn. iReady recommends at least 45 minutes each week in each subject and passing two lessons to make at least one years growth. This program can be done at home as well as in school. Students are encouraged to take their time and  “think before clicking,” because just clicking through answers will not give teachers an accurate picture of what is understood and what requires further instruction.
 
Access to your child’s regular i-Ready lessons: clever.com/in/hawaii
Printable at home activity packs:
i-Ready.com/AtHome 
 

Science/NGSS

At Solomon Elementary, our science is hand-on and minds-on.  Solomon has been fully implementing the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) since the 2019-2020 school year.  We have teacher created units that focus on students figuring out real world phenomena.  Students get a chance to explore and use science ideas to explain the world around them.