Language Arts

Reading: Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading
​“Fountas and Pinnell Guided reading is a systematic approach to small-group reading instruction. Guided reading is not an exercise to practice reading skills. It is research-based, professionally energized, highly targeted, scaffolded reading instruction that propels all students toward confident, independent reading of high quality grade level books across a diverse array of literature and informational genres. Reading well means reading with deep, high quality comprehension and gaining maximum insight or knowledge from each source.
Using benchmark assessments or other systematic observation, the instructional reading level of each student is determined. The teacher forms a temporary group of students that are alike enough in their development of a reading process that it makes sense to teach them together for a period of time. In selecting a text for the group, the teacher uses the level designation; thinks about the strengths, needs, and background knowledge of the group; and analyzes the individual text for opportunities to support students’ successful engagement with the meaning, language, and print of the text. The teacher uses the text to help the children expand what they know how to do as readers.” For more information please visit​ http://www.fountasandpinnellleveledbooks.com

​​Spelling and Phonics: CR Success
"The CR Success Learning Foundations Program is a comprehensive and proven program that connects systematic phonics instruction to with engaging and meaningful reading.

• Develops accelerated gains in reading by focusing on the essential skills

• Builds the neural pathways that are necessary for proficient reading

• Integrates all components of reading

• Systematically teaches the full phonetic code in a concise and memorable way

• Has fast-paced, dynamic, multisensory lessons

• Ensures that students are reading texts immediately

• Provides assessment to drive instruction 

• Is aligned to the Common Core Standards

• Can be implemented in an RtI model as Tier 2 or Tier 3 intervention

• Is implemented easily and strategically 

• ​Multisensory, Explicit Approach That’s Grounded in Research"

​For more information please visit http://www.crsuccesslearning.com/

​

Math: Singapore Math

World Compass Academy Students uses the Singapore Math Curriculum.  It is narrow and focused and is taught for in-depth mastery. Singapore math emphasizes conceptual understanding: the “why” not just the “how.” “Singapore mathematics lessons begin by engaging students in hands-on learning experiences followed by pictorial representations, which help them form a mental image of mathematical concepts. This is followed by an abstract stage, where they solve problems using numbers and symbols. This approach makes the learning of mathematics fun and meaningful, and helps students develop positive attitudes about math.” For more information please visit http://www.singaporemath.com/
​

Science: FOSS and Delta Science

​"The Full Option Science System® bridges research and practice by providing tools and strategies to engage students and teachers in enduring experiences that lead to deeper understanding of the natural and designed world." 
"Science is a creative and analytic enterprise, made active by our human capacity to think. Scientific knowledge advances when scientists observe objects and events, think about how they relate to what is known, test their ideas in logical ways, and generate explanations that integrate the new information into understanding of the natural and designed worlds. Engineers apply that understanding to solve real-world problems. Thus, the scientific enterprise is both what we know (content knowledge) and how we come to know it (science practices). Science is a discovery activity, a process for producing new knowledge.
The best way for students to appreciate the scientific enterprise, learn important scientific and engineering concepts, and develop the ability to think well is to actively participate in scientific practices through their own investigations and analyses. The FOSS Program was created specifically to provide students and teachers with meaningful experiences through engaging with this active participation in scientific practices.
To learn more about the FOSS Programs, please read the FOSS Elementary Introductionand the FOSS Middle School Introduction." For more information please visit http://www.fossweb.com
​

Core Knowledge

World Compass Academy employs the Core Knowledge Scope and Sequence to guide and direct the content taught at each grade level. The Core Knowledge Scope and Sequence is designed to be:

Coherent
The Core Knowledge Sequence is predicated on the realization that what children are able to learn at any given moment depends on what they already know – and, equally important, that what they know is a function of previous experience and teaching.
Cumulative
Core Knowledge provides a clear outline of content to be learned grade by grade so that knowledge, language, and skills build cumulatively from year to year. This sequential building of knowledge not only helps ensure that children enter each new grade ready to learn, it also helps prevent the repetitions and gaps that so often characterize current education.
Content-Specific
By clearly specifying important knowledge in language arts, history, geography, math, science, and the fine arts, the Core Knowledge Sequence presents a practical answer to the question, “What do our children need to know?”
For more information please visit http://www.coreknowledge.org/about-the-curriculum
​

World Language​

Children who learn a second language have improved academic performance, superior problem solving skills, and score higher on standardized tests. Studies also indicate that students who learn a language before the onset of adolescence are more likely to become proficient as compared to those who begin their language studies post adolescence.
​
At World Compass Academy, every student K-5 receives 45 minutes daily of foreign language taught immersion style. The lessons taught in the foreign language block support and supplement the Core Knowledge curriculum for each grade. When students begin at World Compass they will choose a single language track to follow through grade five. World Compass offers three language track options to its elementary students:  Mandarin Chinese, French and Spanish.
For more information about the importance of learning a second language please click here.