Today's children are growing up in a digital age. In a world of abundant, interactive multimedia information, paper and pencil literacy will no longer be adequate for students who are expected to have as many as nine careers during their lifetime. In addition, to acquire strong reading and writing skills they will need many literacies along with inventiveness and persistence to thrive in a global, knowledge-driven world.

Oaklandon Elementary is committed to fostering academic excellence in a safe and nurturing environment. Our goal is for all staff members to be positive instructional leaders who support best practices in all we do.

Literacy Program

A balanced literacy program is implemented in the first grade curriculum through our literacy groups. The other primary teachers (second and third) build on this literacy program by using the 4-Block instructional model.

State Curriculum Standards

Our curriculum is set around the state standards. The state standards and new Curriculum Framework manuals are used as teachers write weekly lesson plans. In the primary grades, our curriculum is focused on teaching students to read. The intermediate teachers are using their curriculum to help students read to learn.

Mathematics

Our mathematics curriculum is set to develop students as problem solvers. We use the standards to teach students to reason logically, to communicate mathematically, and to make mathematical connections.

Well-rounded Students

All Oaklandon Elementary students benefit from a high degree of technology integration, a well-established media/library program, weekly physical education, art, music, and Writer's Workshop classes.

Students with Special Needs

The Special Education program services students identified with a range of learning differences - academic, emotional and physical. These students are remediated, supported, and encouraged to work to their potential.

Character Education

Character Education at Oaklandon Elementary is integrated into classroom learning. It is an ongoing, long-term process of helping students understand and practice good character traits and habits. Character Education is based on the Life Long Guidelines and the Lifeskills for Character, and all staff members are expected to model and teach them daily. Other citizenship components include Student Council, (grades 4-5).

We believe the essential characteristics of good standards for learning must:

• Be clearly written
• Focus on academic content
• Be grounded in the core disciplines
• Combine knowledge and skills
• Demonstrate best practices
• Dictate how curricula are taught
• Include multiple performance levels
• Evaluate/assess performance

State standards, textbooks, and curriculum guides provide benchmarks for instructional techniques.