Elementary School in Ciudad del Saber, Clayton

Reading

The HMH Into Reading curriculum is based on research into the essential elements of literacy. It provides a framework for multilingual learners and a Spanish-English biliteracy solution. Robust assessment data gives teachers the information they need to tailor their instruction to student needs and monitor student progress towards literacy goals. 

Teachers have access to more award-winning, high-interest texts for whole-class shared reading than any other core program. Students benefit from these books which help them to build background knowledge and are available in both print and digital formats.

Math

We use a variety of research-based programs and strategies to teach mathematics classes daily, ranging from 45 minutes to 60 minutes a day in the elementary school. Teachers provide a variety of teaching methods, including station teaching, small group activities, and independent strategies. We also offer small group math support with our Educational Specialists for learners who need extra help, as well as enriched math classes once a week in grades 1 – 4 for advanced learners.

The i-Ready Math curriculum for elementary school is a comprehensive program designed to support students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It focuses on building foundational math skills and promoting conceptual understanding through engaging and interactive lessons. Key components include: Standards-Aligned Content: Lessons are aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and other state-specific standards to ensure consistency with classroom instruction.
 

• Diagnostic Assessments: These adaptive assessments identify each student's current level of understanding, pinpointing strengths and areas for improvement.
• Personalized Learning Paths: Based on diagnostic results, students receive individualized learning paths with lessons tailored to their specific needs and skill levels.
•  Interactive Lessons: Lessons are designed to be engaging and interactive, incorporating visual models, virtual manipulatives, and real-world scenarios to enhance understanding.
• Skill-Building Activities: Activities focus on key math concepts such as number sense, operations, geometry, measurement, and data analysis.
• Progress Monitoring and Reports: Regular progress monitoring and detailed reports help teachers and parents track students' growth and adjust instruction as needed.
• Supplemental Practice: Additional practice problems and activities are available to reinforce learning and provide extra support where needed.

Science

Science – the FOSS program (Full Option Science System) is used in grades K-5, and follows the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) designed to engage students in hands-on learning. This teaching and learning philosophy was developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley.

The active-learning science curriculum provides tools and strategies to engage students and teachers in enduring experiences and higher level thinking that leads to deeper understanding of the natural and designed worlds.

The program includes STEM, earth, life and physical science. Through a series of investigations, students cover 3 units each year. Our science teachers have been trained at UC Berkeley and follow the newest and most updated FOSS edition.

Spanish

Our Spanish Program, in the first two years at Elementary, is based on oral communication and traditional children’s literature. Our students are focused on a series of themes that directly correlate with topic areas in the classroom. Examples include school, friends, feelings, animals, transportation, celebrations around the world, community helpers, seasons, the continents, families, and homes. In addition, we discuss Panama’s history, the geography of the ten provinces, and the indigenous regions. Other class activities review concepts that students have mastered such as colors, numbers, and shapes in order to successfully build lasting skills in Spanish.

In Second, Third, and Fourth Grade, our goal is to develop and encourage fluent readers, writers, listeners, and speakers of Spanish. This program is complemented by the Español and Lectura textbooks, which provide challenging stories and texts for students to read. Both are comprehensive reading and language arts programs that teach reading comprehension skills, phonics, word analysis, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and fluency. In Spanish class, students read story books appropriate for their age and Spanish reading level. Spanish classes involve students in active and motivating activities such as vocabulary building, verbal activities, learning games, video analysis, and technological tools that will enhance their language experience.

Performing Arts

Our Performing Arts program provides an active, hands-on, engaging, and fun environment for all students PK3 to Grade 4. Students enjoy the lessons, whether singing, moving and dancing, or learning about Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. The Performing Arts classroom is always an exciting and interesting place to be.

Students learn to listen to the beat, rhythm, and tune in a variety of music. They use un-tuned percussion instruments such as drums, tambourines, and shakers as well as the piano and guitar. Student voices serve as a powerful instrument as they practice singing together.

Students also learn drama and dance skills, which we use in performances, as well as how to perform in front of an audience by working on posture and expressions. We help students to travel through time by learning about the lives of composers such as Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, and Strauss.  They may even use Google Earth while learning folk dances from different regions of the world to learn more about different cultures.

All of these different methods of interacting with music allow students to think and learn in another way. We strive for a connection, a moment, a spark, that special something that music brings into the lives and learning of our students.

Visual Arts

The Visual Arts Program seeks to develop and nurture the creative potential of our students. In the early years of learning, creative process is encouraged over the product. Children learn to collaborate, explore new media, become visually aware and freely create in their own way as they become the critical thinkers, designers and problem solvers of the future.

Art and culture is the focus of studio projects that are central to history, art, and design. Students are guided through the Elements and Principles of Art: drawing and painting, ceramics, hand-building with clay, puppetry, 2D and 3D concepts while exploring various techniques and learning new skills.

Our visual art curriculum is aligned to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) and our core curriculum in which students have an opportunity to make digital videos and experiment with building. Students learn about master artists of the past and present, work with community artists: Folk and Contemporary, gain self-expression to write about their art, and are artists in the field while applying skills acquired in class.

Computer Lab

Our elementary Computer Lab focuses on cultivating responsible digital citizenship among its students and teachers. The Technology Teacher conducts weekly lessons integrating various subjects like language arts, science, social studies, math, and art, as well as special projects assigned by classroom teachers. 

At elementary, students learn computer parts, website navigation, and basic word processing. First Grade students advance to keyboard usage and basic computer terms, practicing writing and editing. Second Grade students explore technology tools, engaging in coding and programming activities while building typing skills. Third Graders combine multiple skills, using software like Pixie-4 and PowerPoint for assignments across various subjects. Fourth Grade students further expand their computer skills with applications for slideshows, word processing, coding, and programming games. 

All students from up to Grade 5 develop typing skills using the Keyboarding Without Tears program, which includes teaching typing, general computer readiness, digital citizenship, and online test preparation.

Media Center

We have one of the largest English Language print children’s media centers in Panama.

The elementary Media Center is committed to working collaboratively with students, parents, and teachers to instill a lifelong love of reading as well as the value of incorporating technology into everyday life. Our Media Specialist meets with students weekly during a scheduled time to work on technology skills, research information, improve literacy skills, and support special projects that are assigned by homeroom teachers. 

In addition to the set Media Skills learning time, our students have a scheduled checkout and Accelerated Reading (AR) time each week. Accelerated Reader (AR) is a reading program that helps monitor students’ reading growth and promotes an enthusiasm for reading. 

Our elementary School Media Center also participates in the “Battle of the Books” reading program. This program is an ongoing and voluntary reading incentive program for students currently in grades 2-6. Locally, schools engage in Battle of the Book competitions to test their reading skills. 

The purpose of Battle of the Books is to encourage students to read good books: share them with friends, parents, and teachers, learn how to be a team member, and have a fun and exciting time playing in the “Book Battle” while competing with peers. 

The elementary Media Center is an exciting student center full of activity throughout the school day!