Academic Curriculum Overview

Our academic curriculum is organized into five subjects: Literacy, Numeracy, Thematic Studies, Creative Expression, and World Languages.  We use several commercially published curricula along with teacher-created resources.  Using various curricular tools allows teachers to meet each student where they are and help them reach their academic potential.  

Literacy

Our early literacy instruction begins with a focus on phonemic awareness and phonetic decoding skills.  Multisensory literacy activities and letter and word manipulatives engage students' senses as they learn and practice decoding, encoding, and vocabulary skills. Read alouds are done in every learning group developing essential listening skills, expanding vocabulary, and modeling expressive reading.  As students progress in their ability to read independently, literacy instruction includes learning about the elements of literature through reading circles. Regular journaling and writers’ workshops provide opportunities for written expression, storytelling, and developing writing skills.

Curricular Tools:

Wild Reading (K-1)

Heggerty (K-1)

Reading Simplified (1-3)

Pearson’s Words Their Way (K-6)

MegaWords (1-8)

Learning Without Tears (K-6)

Teacher Curated and Created Resources

Numeracy

Our goal is to empower our students to understand the role of math in the world and to apply their mathematical knowledge and thinking in a wide range of contexts.  At RVNS, mathematics is taught in a developmentally appropriate manner, from concrete to abstract.  We start off using manipulatives, often using items found in nature.  As students progress in their math skills, they learn how to represent math problems visually using drawings and models, helping students learn how to solve more complex problems.  We look for ways to integrate math into everyday routines (e.g., looking for numbers on walks, skip counting, cooking, and measurement).  Games are used to reinforce math skills and to make learning fun.  Collecting and analyzing real data allows us to use math in authentic and relevant ways to the students.  Collaborative and independent projects allow students to apply math skills purposefully to creatively solve problems and answer questions about the world around them.  

Curricular Tools:

Wild Math (K-4)

Mammoth Math (1-6)

Math in Focus: A Singapore Math Approach (5-8)

The Art of Problem Solving (6-8)

University of Waterloo’s Center for Education in Mathematics and Computing Problems of the Week (5-8)

Teacher Curated and Created Resources

Mathematics Scope and Sequence

Thematic Studies

We use an emergent curriculum based on student interest and/or yearly themes. Through our work, students are taught social studies and science as a process and learn essential inquiry and problem-solving skills, e.g., evaluating the credibility of different sources, interpreting and understanding information presented in various formats or media, organizing and sharing information or data, reading maps, and designing experiments. Students are empowered to become historians and scientists who use these skills to investigate questions they have about the world around them.  In this way, students are highly engaged because the work is relevant, realistic, and intrinsically motivating.  

Expressive Arts

The arts, including movement, visual art, music, and drama, foster imagination, emotional intelligence, and holistic development. Expressive art is offered independently or integrated into other subject areas, allowing students to explore and express real and imaginary concepts in innovative ways. Through the artistic process, they may engage with emotions, thoughts, and the world around them, developing greater self-awareness and communication skills as they learn to use their creative voices with confidence. When the art is collaborative, a sense of belonging and connection grows, and a community is created where all talents and gifts are valued and celebrated. 

World Languages

Learning a new language offers significant social and emotional benefits by fostering deeper connections with diverse communities and enhancing intercultural understanding. Early language acquisition strengthens memory, critical thinking skills, and cognitive flexibility. At RVNS, students have opportunities to learn Spanish and German. Each of our language teachers offers immersive activities, including music and games, to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills while enhancing vocabulary.