Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

The curriculum at Alice Terry Primary includes School Board approved units and materials.  Curriculum outlines are available for viewing by parents and community members. Included in the elementary curriculum are:

• Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
• Math skills and problem solving
• Science and Social Studies
• Performing Arts and Visual Arts
• Physical Education
• Technology

The staff at Alice Terry work to help each child grow and develop grade level skills while allowing for individual differences.  Students are often given opportunities for hands-on practice as they learn new skills in order to improve memory and understanding of concepts. 

The Sheridan Elementary Schools were formerly a part of the Reading First Initiative coordinated by the Colorado Department of Education.  The implementation of this grant has supported the use of research-based reading instruction.  This curriculum utilizes a core reading series and regular assessment that monitors student progress.

ASSESSMENT

All students, grades K-2 are given an initial assessment in reading and mathematics each year during Jump Start Week.  Teachers use a variety of strategies to monitor student knowledge and progress throughout the year.  Students are assessed quarterly in reading, writing and math. Parents and guardians are encouraged to frequently check with teachers to ask about their student’s progress.  Students receive standards based report cards quarterly during the school year. Formal parent/teacher conferences are held twice each year and all parents are encouraged to attend. Student records are available to parents under conditions consistent with the “Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974” (FERPA) and all related federal regulations.

KINDERGARTEN PROGRESS REPORTS

Letter grades are not given to Kindergarten.  The report card used is a checklist based on the Colorado State Standards for kindergarten designed to show your child’s progress along a continuum of skills.  Classroom activities are designed to meet the needs of each child as they come to Kindergarten.  Not all children are expected to be at the same developmental level as they go through their Kindergarten experience.  The current report card is designed to show parents where the child is currently functioning and what the next developmental level will be.  Report cards will be provided at the end of the 2nd and 4th quarters.  At Parent /Teacher conferences in October and February, teachers will provide narrative information to parent’s regarding their child’s progress.