Making of the MuralMath
Beginning next year, teachers in all subject areas will be utilizing the DCPS Common Core State Standards. These standards align DCPS with 40 other states and unify what students need to know into one clear document. These standards specifically define what students should understand and be able to do in their study of mathematics. In the classroom (and across DCPS), we utilize the Chicago Math curriculum. Additionally, at each grade level we supplement this curriculum with relevant resources from books, the internet, and hands- on projects. Differentiation is key in our Math instruction at John Eaton. Most students in grades 2-5 are normally put into flexible math groups based upon the specific skills that will be developed in the group.
John Eaton is very unique in that we have a Math Specialist. This teacher’s role is to meet each child where they are in his/her learning process in math, work with teachers to support best practices, and support math instruction throughout the building. The Math Specialist works with students from grades 1-5. Sometimes, this work means enrichment in small groups to attack more challenging math problems. This can also be a one-on-one intervention with a single student struggling with a specific concept. Next year, the Math Specialist will be spearheading the Stanford EPGY (Education Program for Gifted Youth). This is a cutting edge computer based program available to all students in grades 1-5. Check out the link: http://epgy.stanford.edu/index.html
For more information, please contact Eaton’s Math Resource Teacher, Ms. Elena Cahir
John Eaton’s Reading Program
Eaton’s reading program is systematic, explicit, and comprehensive. In pre-K and K, we begin teaching children to enjoy and manipulate the sounds of letters and words. In first grade, children are taught how to sound out words and to recognize and spell word patterns. In second grade, more complex word patterns and writing skills are taught along with comprehension strategies. In third through fifth grades, children are taught how to understand different genres of literature and analyze text, to write cogent paragraphs, stories, and essays and to be critical thinkers.
We closely monitor a child’s individual reading, writing, and spelling needs. Children who struggle with learning to read receive systematic small group intervention beginning in first grade, while more advanced readers participate in enrichment programs like Junior Great Books. Eaton is also at the cutting edge of what current reading research says is most effective with children. We use a number of highly innovative reading programs that tie learning to read to how a child’s developing brain processes language.
Finally, Eaton is often abuzz in spelling bees. All children from grades first through fifth have the opportunity to participate, and the competitions are both fun and exhilarating. The winning word in this year’s second grade completion came from the sixth grade word list while the winning word in the third grade competition came from far into the eighth grade word list. The high achievement of Eaton spellers in all the bees is a testament to Eaton’s focus on spelling patterns and word structures in all grades. To see a list of this year’s spelling bee winners, please view the March 2011 Eaton Newsletter
For more information, please contact Eaton’s Reading Specialist, Mr. Mark Lewis.
Science at John Eaton
Science in most elementary schools occurs in the class with the classroom teacher. However, at John Eaton, all 3rd, 4th and 5th graders enjoy a specially-designed science classroom that they visit twice a week with Eaton’s Science Teacher, Mr. Bergfalk. Science instruction follows the DCPS science standard with a focus in two main areas:
- The Scientific method: Students learn and use a 7-step scientific method through a variety of labs interspersed during the year. Every year, all 4th and 5th graders are required to complete a science fair project for Eaton’s annual science fair. Every project uses this 7-step scientific method. Participation in the science fair is optional for 3rd graders and younger grades. Six winners from Eaton’s science fair are entered in the DC Citywide Science Fair.
- Science Content Knowledge: In addition to the scientific method (which is integrated throughout the science curriculum), students focus on learning specific grade level scientific content knowledge using a combination of grade level science textbooks, multimedia, teacher demonstrations and hands-on labs. For example, 3rd graders study units on the solar system and life cycles; 4th graders have units on matter & energy and the Earth’s crust and erosion; 5th graders learn about the universe and traits & heredity.
For more information, please contact Eaton’s Science Teacher, Mr. Bergfalk.
For a peek at Mad Science programs at Eaton, please see the December 2010 Eaton newsletter.
For a listing of 2011 Science Fair winners, please see the March 2011 Eaton newsletter.