About the Elementary School
The elementary school curriculum provides for the development of knowledge, skills, and understanding in the areas of reading, language arts, social science, mathematics, science, health, art, music, library skills, technology education, Arabic, and physical education.
Methods and techniques of instruction reflect current developments in U.S. educational practices. Our curriculum is contextually and developmentally appropriate, stressing strong communication, thinking and computational skills. ACS wants to help students become life-long learners, who know HOW to learn and think, rather than simply regurgitating factual information. Best Teaching Practices, including child-centered rather than teacher-directed instruction, hands-on learning, collaborative activities, and authentic assessment rather than paper and pencil tests are encouraged in all classrooms. Students are progressively exposed to technology from Pre-kindergarten onwards through elementary, middle school and high school.
Reading at ACS
Offering a balanced literacy program, our teachers and teachers' assistants read aloud daily to students modeling for them the reading process, read with the students providing direct, explicit instruction in reading skills and strategies, and guide students through texts where they practice the skills and strategies they have learned.
In 2005 we implemented a guided reading program in grades 1 - 5. Supported by the purchase of two Scholastic leveled guided reading libraries and professional development to include training specific to the Scholastic program, teachers provide essential instruction to small groups of students utilizing texts at their instructional level.
Elementary Character Education
Our elementary students are exposed to a learning community designed to help them develop important personal skills and habits. Here at ACS we see ourselves as a caring community of learners who value the quality of our human relationships. We have a character education program, CHARACTER COUNTS, designed to instill in our students respect and integrity.
The first aspect of this program is the Code of Ethics. Each student memorize and learn the code of ethics and are expected to act in a manner that reflects this knowledge. When a problem arises, the students will need to discuss what they did against the code and what they will do differently in the future.
Hurt no one on the inside or outside
Respect your school and all its property
Special places require special behavior
The second aspect of our character program is called Acts of Kindness. This part is in place to recognize those students who do nice, kind, and appropriate things. Prior to the assembly, a student's name will be drawn and the student will be recognized.
The third aspect of the program will help us focus on necessary skills and habits and we shall, over the course of the year, cover nine monthly themes. The themes are Respect, Honesty, Patience, Compassion, Courage, Friendship, Integrity, Acceptance and Cooperation. For each character trait a picture book will be read to each class to illustrate that trait. Teachers will read and discuss the book with their class the first week of the month.
For more information on Elementary School policies, activities and school procedures, please download the Student Handbook.