Curriculum

Mrs. Okawa's Curriculum Resource iWeb Page

Reading

Pearl Ridge adopted the Houghton Mifflin Reading Program in 2003-04 and began fully implementing it in grades K-6 in 2004-05. The program features award-winning reading selections, rigorous comprehension expectations, phonics-based instruction, and integration of the state standards. Language arts instruction (spelling, grammar, writing) is built into each lesson and is related to the selections, providing continuity for students. HM Reading also includes connections to other content areas and multiple assessment opportunities.

Parent Site: http://www.eduplace.com/parents/
Student Site: http://www.eduplace.com/kids

Writing

Along with the Houghton Mifflin Reading Program, Pearl Ridge uses First Steps Writing to insure that students are able to write using the different forms of writing. First Steps is a developmental program which honors children at the level they are writing at and provides instruction to move them to the next phase of development. At each grade level, students are exposed to several different writing forms, but in grades 2-6, receive extended instruction and practice on two specific types of writing (example: narrative and procedure writing). As students move up through the grades, the different forms of writing are reinforced so that when students exit Pearl Ridge in grade six, they will have the major forms of writing in their repertoire.

Mathematics

For mathematics instruction, students at Pearl Ridge use Houghton Mifflin Mathematics along with teacher-created standards-based units to insure that all standards are addressed. This provides students with a balance of hands-on, problem solving lessons along with practice in basic skills and concepts. Writing clearly to communicate the process students used to solve problems is also emphasized.

Parent Site: http://www.eduplace.com/parents/mhm/index.html
Student site: http://www.eduplace.com/kids/mhm/index.html

Science and Health

Developmental Approaches in Science, Health & Technology (DASH), used in grades kindergarten through 5, is an integrated, sequential, comprehensive, inquiry-based program that begins with basic concepts, makes practical connections, and crosses subject areas.

Student in grade 6 are piloting the KidPhysics curriculum, a DOE Teleschool program which addresses the physical science content standards and the grade 6 performance indicators. The series includes content information, teacher directed labs, student labs and a variety of assessment tools.

Students in grade 5 also address Health issues throught the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program in conjunction with the Honolulu Police Department.

D.A.R.E. Site: http://www.dare.com/home/default.asp

Social Studies

The major strands in Social Studies for students in grades K – 6 are divided into eight strands: Historical Understanding, Political Science, Cultural Anthropology, Geography, and Economics. Classroom teachers use the State of Hawaii Content and Performance Standards to drive focused area of study in the Social Studies curriculum throughout the year. An integration of Social Studies benchmarks are often chunked with other key curriculum areas such as Reading, Writing, and the Arts.

Grade K	Grade 1	Grade 2	Grade 3	Grade 4	Grade 5	Grade 6
Rules	Democracy	Elements of Culture	Communities	Hawaii's Unique Characteristics	Exploration, Migration, & Settlement	Early Civilizations
Celebrations & Historical Events	Historical Events and Maps	Neighborhoods	Geography Themes	Hawaiian Culture & Society	Colonial Life	Cultural Dynamics -- Change and Continuity
Geographic Language & Representations	Similarities & Differences	Economic Principles	Democracy	Migration & Cultural Diversity	Conflict (Causes & Effects)	Global Exchanges
Economics - Wants and Needs	Economics - Goods and Services	Government	Economics - Decision Making	Human Impact	Making of a Nation	Impact on Western Civilization

Art

Art education is integrated across the content areas, but formal instruction is given so that students have the opportunity to learn techniques used by the Great Masters (Matisse, Picasso, O'Keefe, etc.). Each grade level focuses on the style of two different master artists.

Music

Music education is taught in various ways throughout the grade levels. These include the Hawaiian Studies program (ukulele, song, dance), Physical Education (dance), instruction using instruments (recorder, flutophone), and singing for enjoyment and performance.

Technology

Effectively integrating technology into the curriculum is the goal of all teachers here at Pearl Ridge Elementary. By doing so, we are ensuring student success beyond basic computer operations. Students will leave PRE as "technology literate individuals" ~ individuals who know how to use computers and other technologies flexibly, creatively and purposefully in order to solve problems and complete tasks.

Classroom teachers together with the Technology Coach have been creating lessons that are aligned with the educational technology standards found in the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards. Teachers sign up for computer time to complete projects and/or for extended learning units. The technology coordinator plans and works directly with all teachers in a grade level to integrate the technology skills with the content being covered by the classes.

To assist in increasing the skills of our faculty, at least one teacher within the grade level functions as a support person within the grade level and assures that the technology benchmarks, student performance goals, and integration of technology are included when planning for units. In addition, one member of each grade level sits on the Technology Planning committee and is taught skills which are then used to support their grade level.