Elementary School

Elementary School

It is Foothill Oaks Academy’s objective for students to learn the following skills beginning in first grade and progressing through fifth grade: 

Reading

Increase fluency | Develop rhythmic reading and oral reading with expression | Decode words at grade level | Expand vocabulary | Utilize table of contents and glossary |Alphabetize | Learn to summarize information read | Recognize and appreciate fiction, non-fiction, fables, fairy tales and autobiographies | Learn the value of educational and recreational reading.

Literature 

To gain an appreciation for classical and contemporary literature, each year students read several books together in class with the guidance and direction of the teacher.

​Children’s poetry resources provide poems which are taught orally in the classroom, emphasizing rhythm and expression. Each class learns a minimum of nine poems each school year and looks forward to reciting them for their classmates at morning assembly. 

Handwriting 

Holds pencil correctly | Prints letters correctly | Practice appropriate placement of letters on the lines and understand spacing | Experience cursive writing in first grade and transition to use in second grade when all letter formation is learned and proficiency at connecting letters is achieved | Understand use of spacing, columns, and margins

Writing Skills 

Move from writing simple with complete sentences to short, cohesive paragraphs with related sentences in a logical sequence | Write essays, compare & contrast, opinion and narratives | Recognize subject and verb agreement | Identify simple, declarative, interrogative, exclamatory and imperative sentences | Experience creative writing with paragraph patterns | Apply writing skills to research and other projects.

Language 

Recognize and identify parts of speech | Identify phrases and clauses | Understand the use of punctuation | Master verb tenses and be able to conjugate regular and irregular verbs | Understand grammar as a tool for comprehension and written and oral expression | Further develop an understanding of language structure through dictation and recall of paragraphs related to grade level studies.

Spelling 

Develop an understanding of phonics, word attack skills, and spelling rules | Build understanding of application through daily workbook assignments, exercises included in the vocabulary workbooks, reinforced by weekly spelling tests |Spell words correctly in daily application | Understand how to apply suffixes and prefixes correctly | Develop dictation skills and be able to apply spelling rules

Geography 

Learn the location of continents, countries, states within the United States, capital cities in the United States, mountain ranges, major oceans, rivers and waterways | Study the geography of California, North America, South America and Western Europe | Understand and appreciate how the geography of a region influences history.

Mathematics 

Manipulative curriculum in first & second grade establishes a firm foundation of processes such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. Also, experiencing concepts such as comparing and ordering numbers, graphing, patterns, measurements, time, money, geometric shapes, word problems, and area and perimeter.

Continuing in third through fifth grade, students refine the basic math operations while experiencing numbers through expanded notation, prime composite numbers, mental math, exponents, decimals, fractions, mixed numbers, percentages, negative numbers, square root, geometric formulas, and eventually multi-step equations, statistics and probability.

Science 

Develop skills such as observing, describing and classifying | Learn through reading and discussing grade appropriate materials covering earth science, life science, and physical science, also participating in hands-on experiments.

Social Studies 

In first and second grade:
Study material is based on the study of people, particularly covering customs, traditions and symbols the United States | Contrasting life today with that of the past, children explore their own family backgrounds and heritage | Begin to learn how to research and write short reports | Learn beginning map skills | Study important American leaders and appreciate their accomplishments and impact on history.

Begin learning about California in third through fifth grade:
Explore culture, beliefs and daily life of some Native American peoples | Study the Age of Exploration | Refine map skills and be able to read and understand graphs | Learn California history, geography, and symbols | Cover the period of history covering colonization through the Revolutionary War | Identification of major regions of the United States | Study American presidents | Expand research skills through curriculum based reports

Art 

Gain an appreciation for art through the study of paintings and artists, observations and discussions of appropriate grade level art | Experience the various art mediums and learn drawing techniques | Use art as a tool to: Exercise imagination, develop concentration, and build self confidence through individual accomplishment

Technology 
In kindergarten – second grade:

Develop a basic knowledge of the computer | Develop good keyboarding skills | Receive instruction in word processing, graphics, database, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, and telecommunications/internet through age appropriate curriculum and learn basic Microsoft Word skills.  In second grade students are given their own school google account and will transition into using Google Suite.

In third – fifth grade:

Learn proper and logical application of the computer and other technologies | Further refine keyboarding skills | Receive more in-depth instruction in word processing, graphics, database, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, and telecommunications/internet through age appropriate curriculum, with Google Suite | Fifth Grade to Middle School receive a school Chromebook to use for classroom assignments and more.

Music 

Focus on four objectives: singing, listening, moving, and creating | Learn unison singing with limited range, basic beats on percussion instruments and beginning line notation | Study rhythm, note value and vocal skills with emphasis on the enjoyment of music | Study basic accompaniment, learn two-part harmony, learn more complex rhythms | Experience music appreciation | Study syncopated rhythms, patterns, basic accompaniment, and higher level harmony.

Spanish

Expand speaking vocabulary such as greetings, animals, colors, shapes, family members, clothing, household items, descriptions | Enjoy songs and games | Learn conversational skills through an immersion approach | Begin to develop writing skills | Further develop writing skills, while gaining an understanding of language structure and grammar | Learn about the French culture, customs, and traditions

Physical Education 

At each grade level, activities are designed to promote muscle development, increase physical stamina, and ensure physical fitness appropriate for that age. Through exercise, games, sports, stretching techniques, basic yoga, and instruction on how their body works, children acquire the knowledge and awareness of the need to stay fit.