Elementary School Curriculum
Aaron School’s K-5 academic curriculum is based on New York State Standards for each grade level. Aaron takes a multi-sensory, interdisciplinary teaching approach which more effectively promotes learning and retention of information.
Aaron’s classrooms are equipped with SmartBoard technology to enhance the learning experience. Additionally the classrooms have FM-Systems installed which enhances the teacher’s voice thereby reducing the effects of background noise so that students can better attend to and process teacher information.
Student progress is informally assessed on a daily basis during class Q&A, homework, tests and quizzes. Aaron believes in project-based learning, as our students thrive on experiential, hands-on, process-oriented assignments.
Curriculum is modified and presented in multiple formats to increase student exposure to material which aids retention. Further, the classroom team works together to develop and adapt instructional plans on a regular basis to meet the diverse learning styles and needs of our students.
Reading and Math
Students have reading in the morning and math in the afternoon. By integrating grades, Grades K-2 and Grades 3-5 respectively, Aaron creates smaller, skill level reading and math groups. These homogeneous groups allow for more targeted instruction.
Aaron’s staff is trained in Orton Gillingham and Wilson Fundations, which are both multi-sensory approaches to teaching reading. Small group reading instruction ensures appropriate remediation and intervention. Students engage in this multi-sensory approach to strengthen their decoding while fluency and comprehension skills are addressed through a balanced literacy approach.
Math group work consists of enVision Math and Stern curricula. Multi-sensory instruction, activities, and projects are designed to develop student computation skills and conceptual problem solving abilities.
Content Areas
The classroom is the academic and social center for all of our students. Classroom meetings begin each day and allow everyone to review the schedule, ease transitions, and share class news and current events.
Literature activities encourage students to explore and enjoy books and stories while building expressive and receptive language skills. Creative writing encourages students to use the written word to explore their imaginations. Social studies and science are an integral part of our students’ learning experience, and provide opportunities to explore the physical and social world around us.
Choice Time gives students a chance to make independent decisions and interact socially within a developmentally appropriate structure. Teachers facilitate the less structured times by engaging students, encouraging participation, and assisting with problem-solving when necessary. Activities are structured and teacher directed.
We believe that students find structure comforting and benefit from knowing what to expect at school as well as what is expected of them. Structure and support make transitions easier and help students become responsible, active participants in their own learning. Students have fun, develop self-confidence and love school.
Enrichment
Enrichment is an important balance to our academic program. The Specialty Department consists of technology, art, music, library and adaptive physical education. The specialty focus is to enhance the curriculum by presenting subject matter in various formats to broaden exposure to culture and community.
The specialty team is an integral component to the program, as they collaborate with teachers and therapists on an ongoing basis. They integrate content area curriculum into their respective specialty classes, to provide reinforcement of areas of study. This intertwined approach assists students to make greater connections to and understanding of what they learn through multimedia projects.
Students’ individual strengths and innate talents are encouraged and supported. Every opportunity is taken to showcase student work through our hallways and to share talents at our annual art show and winter/spring concerts. Specialists contribute to classroom newsletters to keep parents informed of class progress.
Additionally, three times a year the specialty department publishes a newsletter which provides parents opportunities to partake in cultural experiences citywide.