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INSTRUCTION AT FREETOWN
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E.C.I.
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| The
Early Childhood Intervention Program for students ages 2-5 is designed
to assist students with language development and usage.. |
Pre-K
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| "The
purpose of the pre-kindergarten program is to educate the whole child in
ways that are appropriate to his/her level of development and sensitive
to individual characteristics. The program helps children to acquire
a positive self-image and find joy in learning." |
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Pre-Kindergarten
Curriculum Guide
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Kindergarten
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| At
Freetown, we believe "Together we make a difference" and that includes
our youngest learners. In kindergarten we do our best to nurture
our students to help them reach their full potential. |
Grade 1
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| Welcome
to first grade! Our first grade classes at Freetown have a very nurturing
environment. Our students work in traditional classrooms with an
average ratio of 17:1. Some of our students receive Title I services
such as Reading Recovery. In language arts the students are instructed
in the areas of reading, writing, spelling and literature. Our math
program utilizes hands-on activities in a cooperative learning environment.
Some skills that we cover are place value, addition, subtraction, graphing,
fractions, geometry, measurement, time, and money. In science we
discuss the senses, nutrition, seasons, plants, temperature, and the solar
system. Social studies topics include citizenship, families in America,
and social skills. Students also receive instruction in art, music,
physical education, media, and computer. Field trips are planned
in order to enhance the curriculum and enrich the educational experience
for our students. One of our annual trips is to Camp Woodlands. |
Grade 2
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Students
receive instruction in language arts, math, social studies, science, art,
music, physical education, and computer.
Language
arts concentrates on reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students
gain a better understanding of the three purposes for reading: to be informed,
perform a task, and for literary experience. They learn to use a
variety of strategies to improve understanding and comprehension of what
they have read. Students engage in the writing process and practice
correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and manuscript. Students
use Power Writing in order to write to persuade and inform. They
also write to express personal ideas.
In
math, students engage in a constructivist program which involves daily
hands-on learning experiences. Students' math skills are assessed
at the end of each marking period.
Social
studies and science curriculums are enhanced with films, tapes, and books.
Social studies units include communities, careers, pioneers, and people
who can make a difference. The second graders at Freetown experience
first hand how to make a difference in the community. They work cooperatively
with the Department of Natural Resources to assist with the preservation
of the Maryland Diamondback Terrapins. Science units include the
food chain, vertebrates and invertebrates, sound, and pollution. |
Grade 3
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| Each
classroom teacher instructs her class in the areas of language arts and
math. Students participate in a modified departmentalized arrangement
for social studies, science, and an extra period of language arts.
Our students engage in a variety of hands-on experiences that are designed
to make learning more meaningful for them. |
Grade 4
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Fourth
grade students read daily and are exposed to the three purposes for reading.
These purposes include reading to be informed, reading for literary experience,
and reading to perform a task. Students read from a variety of reading
materials such as basal readers, novels, and informational articles.
Our students also engage in daily writing activities in all subject areas.
Mathematical
skills are assessed at the end of each quarter.
Students
experience hands-on activities in order to enhance learning during science.
The science curriculum covers life foundations, animal adaptations, vertebrates,
and space.
In
social studies the students learn about Kenya, Japan, and Maryland history.
In
addition, students are taught organizational, study, and note-taking skills. |
Grade 5
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Our
fifth grade students receive math, science, and social studies instruction
in a departmentalized arrangement. The students have different teachers
for math, science, and social studies. Math instruction follows the
Anne Arundel County curriculum. Students are assessed at the end
of each marking period. In science students are actively engaged
in the learning process through science experiments. The social studies
curriculum highlights explorers, the colonies, and geography of the United
States. Language arts is taught every afternoon according to the
Anne Arundel County Public Schools' Framework.
Fifth
grade students participate in D.A.R.E., Drownproofing, and various field
trips. |
Special Education
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"Together
we make a difference" with the students who qualify for Special Education
services. Students receive special education instruction in a variety
of settings based on their individual needs as determined by their Individualized
Education Program (IEP).
All
special educators serve as a resource to the staff. Classroom teachers
assist with the implementation of the IEP goals/objectives by making modifications
or accommodations to ensure that the special education students meet with
success when working within the general education setting. The Edmark
Reading program and the Soar to Success reading program are being used
successfully as alternative reading interventions. |
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Speech and Language Therapy
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| Speech
and language services are provided for those students at Freetown Elementary
who are identified through the special education process. Students
qualify for services when a disability exists which negatively impacts
their educational success. The speech-language pathologist plans
and provides services for each student based upon his or her individual
needs. The communication assistant also assists students to progress
toward their target goals. Therapy can occur within the classroom
or in the speech room. Most children receive services in small groups.
Speech-language therapy at Freetown includes work in the following areas:
speech sound production, phonemic awareness, vocabulary use and understanding,
grammar skills, auditory comprehension and recall, and problem-solving. |
Art
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|
Freetown's Finest Artists
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Our
goal at Freetown Elementary is to develop and nurture our students' talents
and creativity. Classroom teachers work collaboratively with the
art teacher in order to support their content areas through art.
Artwork
is always on display in the halls of Freetown Elementary, which enhances
the school's climate. |
Media
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Music
 
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| The
goal of the music program at Freetown Elementary School is to provide an
opportunity for all students to experience the elements of music, rhythm,
melody, harmony, form, and tone color. Hands-on experiences, listening
skills, and critical thinking are emphasized. Performance experiences
are provided through choral singing and participation in musical plays. |
Physical Education
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Physical
Education is an important part of the educational program. Physical
activity benefits students in many ways: better health, relief from stress,
more energy and stamina, a sense of well-being, and relaxation.
Students
in the primary grades work on individual skills such as movement in space,
ball handling, locomotion movements, and chasing and fleeing activities.
Intermediate students work on skills such as teamwork and sportsmanship.
All
students participate in the county fitness test in October and April/May. |
Technology
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| Our
students benefit from the state-of-the-art computer lab located in the
intermediate hallway. They are able to enrich their technology skills
by accessing a variety of web sites and utilizing software packages that
support the instructional program. Students in grades K-2 are able
the learn and reinforce basic reading and math skills when they work in
the Josten's Computer Lab located in the primary hallway. In addition,
there are one or more computers in each classroom for student use. |
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