Elementary School

Overview

ASV Elementary students learn in a warm and caring environment where taking risks is valued. An optimal learning environment is created using Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS).  Students are taught expectations and an intentional focus is placed on positive choices. When students are taught what is expected of them, and how to follow expectations, they will understand these expectations and typically exceed them.

Elementary School consists of Grade 1 through Grade 5. During a typical week students engage in rich activities in a variety of curricular areas:

  • Language Arts (English language)
  • Math (taught in English)
  • Science (taught in English)
  • Spanish (part of the Spanish national curriculum)
  • Valencian Language (required as part of the Valencian regional curriculum)
  • Social Studies / Ciencias Sociales (co-taught in Spanish and English)
  • Music (taught in English) 
  • Physical Education (taught in English) 
  • Art (taught in English)
  • English as an Additional Language (English language support for non-native English speakers)
  • Spanish as an Additional Language (Spanish language instruction for non-native Spanish speakers)

A major emphasis is placed on English language acquisition throughout the Elementary School program. A firm foundation in English assist students not only in English language but in other curricular courses as well. Therefore, some students may be required to attend English as an Additional Language (EAL) classes as part of their differentiated English language instruction.

Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards and Spanish National Standards form the foundation of the core curriculum.  Instruction by qualified teachers in these standards fosters the critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills needed to be a life-long learner.  Although separate curricular standards exist for each discipline, integrated and cross-curricular instruction occurs regularly in order for students to apply learning in real-life contexts. In Science, Mystery Science is being a useful resource for teachers to engage students in scientific inquiry.

  • Daily work in grade 1. Ms. Lima and Ms. Watkins.

Teaching Philosophy

ASV embraces the workshop model developed by Teachers College (Columbia University) to deeply engage students in curricular content. Small group and individualized instruction foster deep engagement and a love of life-long learning. Students are taught multiple strategies to communicate mathematical concepts and develop critical thinking skills. Technology instruction is integrated throughout curricular areas to support collaboration, autonomy, individual engagement and creativity.

Math, Language and Arts

Grade 1

Grade 1 is the beginning of Elementary School.  Teachers build on strategies taught in Kinder to support students in their growth as readers and writers.  In Math students are building number sense and solve simple problems, using math models to demonstrate and share their mathematical thinking.  In Science students explore animal habitats, properties of matter and weather, while in Social Studies/Sociales, students learn about their family, school and immediate surroundings.

Grade 2

In Grade 2 students begin to engage more deeply in their reading and begin to read chapter books.  In Math students continue to use math models to create and solve more complex real-life word problems.  By the end of Grade 2 students are acquiring fluent mental computational skills in addition and subtraction in preparation for Grade 3.  In Science students explore soil habitats and designing mixtures, while in Social Studies/Sociales, they learn about professions and their community.

Grade 3

In Grade 3 students become proficient, independent readers.  In Math students begin multiplying and dividing using visual models to further develop their understanding of the properties of multiplication and division as well as multi-step word problems and fractions.  In Science students study the human body, gravity and magnetism and shoreline science, while in Social Studies/Sociales, they learn about the Earth and society.

Grade 4

In Grade 4 students shift from learning to read to reading to learn.  Students deepen their ability to discuss and analyze texts.  In Math, students are using all mathematical operations to apply their learning in new situations, as well as exploring basic geometry and algebraic thinking.  In Science students study Weather and Water Habitats, Environmental Adaptations and Fossils, while in Social Studies/Sociales they learn about pre-history and democracy.

Grade 5

In Grade 5 students learn to analyze and think critically about text and writing.  They use a variety of tools to synthesize and demonstrate learning.  In Math students complete basic foundational elements to prepare them for the secondary level Mathematics curriculum.  Students combine decimals and fractions, learn to find area and volume, and graph points on the coordinate plane.  In Science, students study light energy and model of matter, while in Social Studies/Sociales they learn about space, maps and selected moments in Spanish and American history.

English as an Additional Language

English is the language of daily classroom instruction.  If a student is not able to access grade level content due to English language learning needs, some additional English language instruction is provided in small groups.

Counseling

Personal, social and emotional development is valued and taught from Grades 1-5.  School Counselors provide opportunities to practice problem solving and navigate friendships to support overall social and emotional development.

Spanish as an Additional Language

Spanish language instruction is provided daily for students who are in the initial stages of learning Spanish.  As students develop Spanish language proficiency (typically after 2-3 years), they will transition to the native-level Spanish classes.

Learning Support

Learning Support is provided on a limited basis for students with low to low-moderate learning differences based on a professional educational-psychological diagnosis provided to the school by external psychological professionals.  Differentiated instruction may be provided based on each student’s learning needs as identified in the Individual Learning Plan (ILP).

Students with learning differences applying for admissions must provide a copy of the educational-psychological evaluation along with copies of the student’s Individual Learning Plans (ILP).  The school would consider each applicant individually in order to evaluate if the school is able to meet the learning needs of the applicant.

ASV+

Students may participate in a variety of athletic, STEM, dance, music, and world languages activities.  All of these activities (except for Français and Deutsch) are instructed in English by coaches and teachers within the school day.  Students have the opportunity to train or attend classes throughout the week, but they will also play in athletic matches and tournaments.  For dance, music and world language activities, performances and events are organized throughout the academic year.

School Libraries

Our goal is that students grow into life-long readers who read for a variety of purposes, including enjoyment. ASV has invested in classroom libraries that contain age-appropriate books that span the genres and match the teaching topics and interests of the students in the class.  Teachers observe student’s habits when selecting books and prevent lost time with students traveling to the school library.

In addition to the classroom libraries, teachers and students have regular access to the Elementary Library, a specific facility which contains a collection of resources designed to meet the fiction and non-fiction reading interests of our Grade 1 to Grade 5 students. The online catalog provide younger students with a controlled searching environment and offer opportunities for meaningful connections with classroom projects and the school’s curriculum while at the same time fostering digital citizenship and academic honesty.