Introduction to the Elementary School’s Curriculum At A Glance
At ACS Athens Elementary School, students build the necessary skillsets for the years ahead. The elementary curriculum is based on interdisciplinary methods and materials supported and guided by the U.S. State Board of Education. At the heart of the interdisciplinary method is literacy, which is woven throughout all subject areas, such as in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, including conceptual connections to Mathematics.
Language Arts - The Elementary School Language Arts curriculum is guided by the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts, which establish rigorous, research-based expectations in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language — strands that are closely connected and mutually reinforcing. Our program reflects this integrated vision alongside a commitment to structured literacy: foundational skills including phonological awareness, phonics, and fluency are taught explicitly and systematically, while comprehension, writing, and language work develop alongside them. Students engage with a wide range of literary and informational texts, apply reading strategies, write for varied purposes and audiences, participate in collaborative discussions, and build vocabulary and language conventions across grades. Instruction emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and effective communication, supported by carefully selected programs and resources. Our classroom libraries, Elementary School Library, and digital literacy resources further expand students' access to diverse texts — nurturing each student as a curious, confident reader, writer, and lifelong learner. Mathematics - The Mathematics curriculum is guided by the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and is taught through the Dimensions Math textbook series. This approach emphasizes deep conceptual understanding, problem solving, mathematical reasoning, and the development of strong computational fluency. The aim of the Elementary School Mathematics Program is for students to build a solid foundation in mathematical concepts and skills while developing confidence and perseverance as problem solvers. Students learn to make connections between concrete experiences, visual models, and abstract mathematical thinking through a progression known as the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) approach. Instruction focuses on the major domains of mathematics, including number and operations, algebraic thinking, measurement, geometry, and data analysis. Students are encouraged to explain their thinking, justify solutions, apply mathematics to real–world solutions, and communicate mathematical ideas clearly. Science - The Science curriculum is guided by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Every NGSS standard has three dimensions: disciplinary core ideas (content), scientific and engineering practices, and cross-cutting concepts. The aim of the Elementary School Science Program is for the students to be scientifically literate and to be knowledgeable about the important concepts and theories of the three main branches of scientific study: earth, life and physical sciences. Third-grade students explore how living things, weather, and forces affect the world around them. Through hands-on investigations, students learn how traits are inherited, how environments influence organisms, how weather and climate impact communities, and how forces and motion cause objects to move. Students develop scientific thinking skills by asking questions, planning investigations, collecting and analyzing data, building models, and using evidence to explain their ideas. Throughout the year, they apply science and engineering practices to solve problems and better understand the natural world.