Deterding Philosophy

Mary A. Deterding staff and parents share the responsibility and the opportunity to develop a curriculum to meet the individual needs of our students. We believe that the visual arts, vocal music and instrumental music must be integrated with academics to build the whole child.
 

 
     
     
 

Curriculum + Instruction : Creating a positive learning environment

School Instruction

Elementary sites focus instruction on California State Standards and San Juan District standards to improve instruction for students. Along with the core curriculum which includes, reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social science, students are provided instruction in music, art and physical education weekly. All students have the opportunity to access library materials and technology. Students are taught and encouraged to use the four district character education traits of respect, responsibility, honesty, and courage. Multiple measures of assessments that include reading fluency and comprehension, writing samples and math problem solving are used to determine future instructional strategies to meet the needs of all students. Teachers and administrators meet regularly in grade level teams to analyze student progress toward grade level expectations, to develop future units of study and to plan interventions for special needs students. A variety of intervention strategies including, small group and individual instruction, before and after school tutorials, and summer school interventions are provided for students. Teachers and administrators receive on-going training to improve delivery of instruction data analysis, and intervention techniques to improve student achievement.

Reading and Language Arts

Classes in grades K through 6 use Legacy of Literacy (Houghton Mifflin 2002.) Schools with intensive intervention classes may be using REACH, Language! or High Point materials.  Every student in grades 1-6 is assigned one copy of each anthology and workbook. Kindergarteners use only a workbook.

Mathematics

The core program uses California Math (Scott Foresman 2001) or Saxon Math (dates vary.)  Each student, K-6, is assigned the appropriate textbook and/or workbook, based on the series.

Science

In grades K-5, students take part in a hands-on science program, Full Option Science Systems (FOSS Delta.) Grade 6 students use Focus on Earth CA Edition (Glencoe 2007.) Each student, 1-6, is assigned a textbook for use both in class and at home. Additionally, may be assigned a workbook and/or science journal, if the teacher chooses to use it in his/her program.

History and Social Science

Beginning in kindergarten, students study social science which aligns with the language arts program and the history-social science standards. Students in grades 2 through 5 use History-Social Science for California (Pearson-Scott Foresman 2007.) Students in grade 6 use History Alive (Prentice Hall 2004.) Each student, 2-6, is assigned a textbook for use in class and to take home.

Health

Health materials designed by district staff are in use in designated grade levels. Grades 4, 5, and 6 each use a set of instructional materials created by a district committee and approved by the Board.

See Also

Our School > School Report Card