All Programs Listed Below

• LITERACY  Students receive a balanced literacy program which prepares them to be able to read fluently with comprehension, and to write.  Reading involves strategies for puzzling out meaning and gauging understanding.  Students are required to recognize words on a page, comprehend what they mean and clearly convey a meaning.  Mastering the print-sound code and learning strategies for comprehension are the essential skills for reading.  Carefully selected materials are used for instruction, which can take the form of small group, individual or in cooperative settings.  Students are taught phonics using the Fundations Program, word usage, spelling, and comprehension strategies.  The writing process promotes fluency, accuracy and creative expression.  Students learn how to convey a meaning to the reader by learning to produce work in a variety of forms such as:  narrative writing, report writing and response to literature.  The goal is for students to develop skills in using the literary conventions of writing to develop habits of good writing.

• MATH  The elementary schools in Brewster have adopted and implemented a math program called Everyday Mathematics.  The program directs teachers to move beyond basic arithmetic and to nurture higher-order and critical thinking skills in their students.  This program uses everyday, real-world problems and situations, while also building and maintaining basic skills, including automatic fact skills.  The program encourages a greater understanding of mathematics concepts than traditional math programs.

• SOCIAL STUDIES  Students in Brewster learn about geography, economics, civics, citizenship, government, history, and cultures.  The kindergarten program focuses on developing an awareness of self as a growing individual.  At the first grade level the program helps the students learn about their roles as members of a family and community.  In grade two, the students explore rural, urban, and suburban communities in the United States.  In grade three, the program focuses on communities throughout the world.  All grade levels study about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

• SCIENCE  Science is an exciting program in the elementary schools.  We will be using the  Science 21 program which is an inquiry-based and hands-on program.  It is supported with non-aspects of the scientific method through the experiments they carry out in class.  Observations and documentation are extremely important aspects of the program.  The children's scientific journals about their experiments include pictures, measurements, observations, procedures, tests and conclusions.  We expect all children to have a scientific vocabulary and an understanding of scientific concepts and reasoning by the time they leave third grade. 

• ART  The art program affords K-3 students the opportunity to explore a variety of media, skills, and techniques.   Students discover and develop creative expressions through drawing, painting, sculpting and the elements of design.  Students are encouraged to develop their own ideas visually and apply their experiences to a creative product.

• INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA CENTER (LIBRARY)  The elementary school libraries support the curriculum, inspire imaginations and wet the appetites of young readers.  They are busy places from school's start to closing time.  Each class visits the library once weekly for lessons and to check out materials.  The lessons focus on library skills and a variety of literary genres.  The children are welcome anytime during the day, with his or her teacher's permission, to stop by and exchange a book.  The library is fully automated and includes computer stations giving students access to the internet.  Students use electronic catalogs to search for materials and all items are circulated electronically.  Garden Street's Library has a collection of over 9,700 items.  The diverse collections include books, cassette/book sets, magazines, videocassettes, puppets, science models and CD ROMs.  There is a professional collection of educational materials available to teachers and parents.  Parent volunteers are an important and vital part of the Media Center's daily functions. 

• PHYSICAL EDUCATION  Physical Education classes introduce children to a wide variety of movement forms and activities that enable them to learn about a healthy lifestyle.  Through basic motor manipulative skills and fitness activities, children learn to cooperate with one another, to lead and follow, to solve group problems, and to become more sensitive to others of differing abilities and cultures.  We strongly believe that overall health, fitness, and movement are key factors in children's abilities to learn in school.

• VOCAL MUSIC  The Elementary Music curriculum addresses the key components needed to ensure that all students have the opportunity to meet high levels of achievement through active participation in music.  The music curriculum intertwines the standards for the arts with the general curriculum for each grade level.  Students learn to express themselves in music classes, as well as share the expressions through performances during their years in elementary schools.

• COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH  At the elementary level, health is presented to all grades K-3.  In grades K and 1, the classroom teacher incorporates health into the curriculum for the entire year.  A certified health educator delivers health instruction to grades 2 and 3.  All levels are currently using The Great Body Shop curriculum.  The Great Body Shop is a comprehensive health program designed to build upon concepts discussed in previous years.  Topics include safety, nutrition, drug education, body systems, growth and development, illness prevention, community health, self-esteem, environmental health, and physical fitness.  The Great Body Shop incorporates all types of learning styles allowing all students to participate, learn and grow.

• ENRICHMENT  The enrichment program provides children in third grade with learning experiences through their participation in workshops.  Enrichment opportunities are made available to all students in the third grade.  

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Special Education services are provided to students at Garden Street School.  Some services available are speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, adaptive physical education and individualized academic support from a special education teacher.  Special Education services are provided in the regular education classroom with the opportunities for small group instruction as appropriate for each student's needs.  Special Education services are provided as prescribed in each child's IEP.  These services are offered in a setting with an inclusion or consultant teacher.

SUPPORT PROGRAMS

• ESL  At Garden Street School, there are services provided to children whose native language is not English.  The ESL (English as a Second Language) program is designed to help students learn their schools' curricula as well as learn the English language.  This instruction is provided in the classroom by an ESL teacher or in a small group setting.  Students are grouped for instructions by ability level.  The length of the instructional period is determined by these levels.  

• READING SUPPORT Reading intervention services are designed to help students develop effective reading strategies for reading and reach average classroom levels.  The goal is to help children become independent readers with self-extending systems.  The children are selected through assessment or teacher recommendation meet with a trained reading teacher in a small group setting in or outside of the classroom in a separate location.  The teachers use a variety of approaches, technology and materials during the instructional periods.  Lessons are coordinated with the regular classroom teachers.

• MATH SERVICES Qualifying pupils receive instruction provided by a math specialist using materials, and instructional strategies appropriate for the learner.  Many lessons are planned with the classroom teacher.  Elementary school students receive math services in a small group, pullout setting or in a classroom setting.  Each student is expected to attend classes promptly with a positive attitude and willingness to work.  

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