Basic Information About Our Curriculum
Reading
"My goal is to turn kids who can read into kids who are READERS. There's a big difference. Just because you can kick a ball, doesn't mean you are a soccer player."
In Mr. Salvatierra's class, 3rd and 4th graders focus primarily on improving reading comprehension. In general we use a combination of the district's reading series and school and teacher provided reading materials in order to improve student achievement. Mr. Salvatierra will often first identify an individual student's reading level and discover what kinds of books they can understand without assistance. Then he will assign reading matierals that are at that student's level or slightly higher to gradually increase their reading level.
Much of the instruction is individually designed with a small and whole group structure. For example the entire class will often be given the same lesson and basic instructions however the texts and the questions may differ from student to student. Individual students may have a different method of completing an assignment with varying degrees of difficulty. That way we can be efficient with our time but also capable of meeting every student's specific needs.
The Buros Reading Test is administered to 3rd Graders. It is a major assessment that we are preparing for by meeting OPS standards.
Writing
"My goal for writing is to give them such control over the English language that they feel confident that they can write anything and be understood. You can be a genius and have great ideas, but no one will know unless you can write about them."
Mr. Salvatierra's class focuses on personal narrative writing. This means we are mostly interested in improving student writing of autobiographical stories. Prompts such as, "Tell a story about a time when you were sick" or "Write a story about a time when you met someone new" are examples of personal narrative writing.
The 4th Grade State Writing Test is a major assessment that we are preparing for. Although that exam is given to 4th graders, 3rd graders in Mr. Salvatierra's begin building a solid foundation towards meeting the requirements of the test.
Math
"My math goals for the students focus on problem solving and setting a strong foundation for more complex work in the upper grades. Yes, we do algebra."
Mr. Salvatierra uses district provided text books to meet OPS standards. Often students will be placed into groups based on their strengths and weaknesses on a particular mathematical skill. Lessons will target areas where students need more attention.
There are many criterion referenced tests (CRT's) that are administered to assess mathematics for all grade levels.
Science
This upcoming 2009-10 year we are focusing on the foundations of sound and light and biology. Our class works towards building our scientific minds rather than filling them with facts. We hope that students would be able to apply their knowledge of science towards everyday activities as well as get them ready for more challenging pursuits in later grades.
Social Studies
This year we will learn about geography, culture, economics and government using Nebraska and Omaha as the background for our studies. In other words, our goal is to make students capable of understanding the general principles of geography, culture, economics and government so that regardless of where they decide to live as adults, their knowledge can follow them.
Basic Information About Our Curriculum
Reading
"My goal is to turn kids who can read into kids who are READERS. There's a big difference. Just because you can kick a ball, doesn't mean you are a soccer player."
In Mr. Salvatierra's class, 3rd and 4th graders focus primarily on improving reading comprehension. In general we use a combination of the district's reading series and school and teacher provided reading materials in order to improve student achievement. Mr. Salvatierra will often first identify an individual student's reading level and discover what kinds of books they can understand without assistance. Then he will assign reading matierals that are at that student's level or slightly higher to gradually increase their reading level.
Much of the instruction is individually designed with a small and whole group structure. For example the entire class will often be given the same lesson and basic instructions however the texts and the questions may differ from student to student. Individual students may have a different method of completing an assignment with varying degrees of difficulty. That way we can be efficient with our time but also capable of meeting every student's specific needs.
The Buros Reading Test is administered to 3rd Graders. It is a major assessment that we are preparing for by meeting OPS standards.
Writing
"My goal for writing is to give them such control over the English language that they feel confident that they can write anything and be understood. You can be a genius and have great ideas, but no one will know unless you can write about them."
Mr. Salvatierra's class focuses on personal narrative writing. This means we are mostly interested in improving student writing of autobiographical stories. Prompts such as, "Tell a story about a time when you were sick" or "Write a story about a time when you met someone new" are examples of personal narrative writing.
The 4th Grade State Writing Test is a major assessment that we are preparing for. Although that exam is given to 4th graders, 3rd graders in Mr. Salvatierra's begin building a solid foundation towards meeting the requirements of the test.
Math
"My math goals for the students focus on problem solving and setting a strong foundation for more complex work in the upper grades. Yes, we do algebra."
Mr. Salvatierra uses district provided text books to meet OPS standards. Often students will be placed into groups based on their strengths and weaknesses on a particular mathematical skill. Lessons will target areas where students need more attention.
There are many criterion referenced tests (CRT's) that are administered to assess mathematics for all grade levels.
Science
This upcoming 2009-10 year we are focusing on the foundations of sound and light and biology. Our class works towards building our scientific minds rather than filling them with facts. We hope that students would be able to apply their knowledge of science towards everyday activities as well as get them ready for more challenging pursuits in later grades.
Social Studies
This year we will learn about geography, culture, economics and government using Nebraska and Omaha as the background for our studies. In other words, our goal is to make students capable of understanding the general principles of geography, culture, economics and government so that regardless of where they decide to live as adults, their knowledge can follow them.