Grades K-3

Core Subjects

At Pleasant Hill Academy, we set high expectations for our students. We are a data-driven school. Our academic focus for grades K-3 includes the following programs and strategies.

Reading and Language Arts

Wit & Wisdom® is a comprehensive K–8 curriculum that has transformed English language arts (ELA) instruction in classrooms across the nation. Great Minds believes that classrooms are places where students and teachers encounter wit, wisdom, wonder, rigor, and knowledge, and that literature, history, art, and science all have a place in ELA instruction. By providing a framework for inquiry, Wit & Wisdom helps students build rich layers of knowledge. It inspires teachers and students to experience complex texts and ideas on a deeper level by fostering the questioning spirit that will shape the next generation of great writers, thinkers, and leaders.                                                                                                  

Great Minds provides a rich reading and writing experience for students. Early literacy is stressed through continued assessment and flexible grouping.

Science

Students learn best by doing, so Pleasant Hill Academy focuses on science with a hands-on approach through project-based learning. Through the combined use of science kits and textbooks, students are exposed to all the sciences that appeal to all learners.

 

 

Mathematics

Grades 4 & 5- i-Ready Mathematics is an online program that provides students of all ages with differentiated instruction and supports them on their individual paths to success. Backed by cutting-edge research on the best mathematics learning practices, students gain experience through concrete examples and engaging lessons. Its responsive instruction provides consistent insight into student understanding and performance, enabling teachers to monitor their students’ progress and help them prepare for standards-based assessments and beyond.

The i-Ready Diagnostic saves time for both teachers and students. Classroom learning time is precious, and technology use should be reserved for high-quality, engaging, and productive learning experiences that are proven to benefit student growth. There are many rigorous research studies demonstrating the relationship between time spent in i-Ready and student gains in reading and mathematics. This insight informs the research-backed guidance we offer schools about the amount of time students should spend using the program to get the greatest gains and avoid overuse.

i-Ready Mathematics:

• Provides just-in-time instruction that is responsive to individual student needs
• Engages students with relevant challenges and provides pathways to deeper understanding
• Enables students to advance quickly once they master a skill, building their confidence and maximizing their engagement
• Presents real-world problems that help students understand the “why” behind the “how”
• Builds internal motivation while encouraging productive struggle with learning games
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Grade 6 Mathematics:                                                                                                    

enVision is the first math series that combines problem-based learning with visual learning. Students learn more about math by solving rich, reality-based problems. They gain a deeper, clearer understanding of math concepts with visual models and scaffolds in every lesson.

The Math department provides students with a strong foundation in the understanding of math. Realizing that not all students learn in the same fashion, we address the learning styles of all students by using online tools such as My Math, IXL, Khan Academy.

Social Studies

The goal is to mold students into responsible, active citizens. Students examine the experiences of various cultural groups as they immigrated to America. They delve into the study of the function of the U.S. Government and the rights and responsibilities of its citizens.

Other Advantages of a Pleasant Hill Academy Education

Other features of Pleasant Hill's academic program for grades K-3 include:

• Grades K-3 receive 120 minutes for ELA and 90 minutes for Math.
• We use several computer programs that can be used at both school and home to make reading fun for grades K-3.
• Tutoring opportunities are available for students after school. 
• Students and families can use counseling services through Central Clinic's "Ready-to-Learn" program.
• Field trips are scheduled to enhance a student's academic experience and as incentives for positive behavior.