SCIENCE:
The topics listed below are emphasized at the grade levels as noted. These topics are often reinforced from grade to grade and additional content not listed may be covered as we meet Common Core Standards. All topics listed are enhanced by connections found in other content areas including Math, Reading, and Social Studies. Our science curricu
lum is also supported through the special area classes of Physical Education, Art, Music, Library, and Computer lab. Many of the push-in enrichment lessons at the 2nd and 3rd grades are science-based, as are the family life lessons and the BOCES substance abuse prevention program. We have science related software in our lab, and an extensive list of science related videos in the library. Many teachers have utilized the Internet to enhance their science lessons.
MAIN TOPICS COVERED BY GRADE LEVEL:
KINDERGARTEN:
*Exploring the Senses
*Looking at the Earth and Sky
*Pushes and Pulls
*Body Parts
1ST GRADE:
*Kinds of Living Things
*Weather and Seasons
*Earth’s Land and Water
*Keeping Fit and Healthy
2nd GRADE:
*Interactions of Living Things
*Solids, Liquids, and Gases
*Magnets
*What makes me sick?
3rd GRADE
*Life Cycles
*Roles of Living Things
*Earth’s Water
*Space and Technology
For additional science information including a copy of the New York State science resource guide and core curriculum, please visit the state education department web site at www.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/scirg.html.
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MATH:
The Queensbury Elementary School mathematics curriculum is a mixture of content and process goals. Our curriculum content is the information that students should know and at the same time, use that content in meaningful contexts. The following is a brief description of each grade level’s curriculum covered during the course of a school year.
KINDERGARTEN:
*Shapes, positional concepts, classification, sorting
*Graphing
*Patterning
*Sequencing, counting, and writing numbers 0-31
*Non-standard measurement
*Solids, equal parts, symmetry
*Ten Frame
*Coin identification and value
*Addition
*Subtraction
1ST GRADE:
*Basic facts, skills and strategies with sums to 12
*Graphing - pictograph, bar graph, and real graph
*Basic geometry and probability concepts
*Ordinal numbers and estimating
*Place value - tens and ones, number patterns
*Money - coin combinations using pennies, nickels, and dimes
*Telling time and using nonstandard units to measure length
*Addition and subtraction of two-digit numbers without regrouping
*Problem solving strategies
2ND GRADE:
*Number sense and graphing
*Addition/subtraction facts and strategies
*Place value and numbers to 100
*Number patters and comparisons - counting by 2's, 5's, 10's to and back from 100
*Identification of coins and bills to $20
*Counting and using money to $1.00
*Telling time up to 5 minutes
*2 and 3 digit addition and subtraction with and without regrouping
*Understanding concepts of multiplication and division
*Geometry - solids and shapes, plane figures, congruence, symmetry, and probability
*Problem solving and math journals - showing work and explaining your answers
3RD GRADE:
*Graphing
*Number sense and place value thru 100,000
*2, 3, and 4 digit addition and subtraction
*Multiplication and division facts 0-12
*Geometry
*Fractions
*Measurement
*Capacity and weight
*Probability
Link to New York State Department of Education's Mathematics Web Site
SOCIAL STUDIES:
All concepts and themes are taught in the content of Social Studies as well as other content areas including Math, Reading, and Science. The social studies curriculum is also supported through the special area classes of Art, Music, Library, and Computer. We have an extensive list of related videos in the library. We have social studies related software in our computer lab and many teachers have utilized the Internet to strengthen their social studies lessons.
Included at each grade level are the concepts and themes developed by our social studies curriculum committee to enhance our social studies program.
Kindergarten
Self and others
The social studies program at the kindergarten level focuses on helping students develop awareness of themselves as growing individuals. Each child's unique qualities as well as similarities to others are stressed. Children learn about values, ideas, customs, and traditions through folk tales, legends, music, and oral histories. In addition, a child's relationships with others in the classroom and the school become sources for social studies learning. Social interaction skills are integral to the kindergarten program. Emphasis is placed on using content that is relevant and personally meaningful. A wide range of interdisciplinary activities can help children grow and develop and gain knowledge and skills. Children also begin to learn about their role as citizens by accepting rights and responsibilities in the classroom and by learning about rules and laws.
The Queensbury Elementary kindergarten social studies program is integrated with ELA. Vocabulary and topics are taught largely through the units in the reading series.
Concepts and themes:
Myself and others
Citizenship and the flag
Holidays
Myself as part of a family
Family traditions
Customs
President: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, current
Neighborhood
Our own community
Needs and wants
Recycling
Conservation
Locating the United States on a map
Symbols of patriotism
Grade Three
Communities Around the World
In the grade 3 social studies program, students study about communities throughout the world. Students learn about the social, political, geographic, economic, and historical characteristics of different world communities. Students learn about communities that reflect the diversity of the world's peoples and cultures. They study Western and non-Western examples from a variety of geographic areas. Students also begin to learn about historic chronology by placing important events on timelines. Students locate world communities and learn how different communities meet their basic needs and wants. Students begin to compare the roles of citizenship and the kinds of governments found in various world communities.
Concepts and themes:
Cultures and civilizations
Communities around the world
The location of world communities
Physical, human, and cultural characteristics of world communities
People depending on and modifying their physical environments
Challenge of meeting needs and wants in world communities
Economic decision making in world communities
Symbols of citizenship in world communities
People making and changing rules and laws
Governments around the world
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COMPUTER/TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTION:
We are very excited about the recent updates in technology in our building. Queensbury Elementary School currently has three labs with additional computers in all classrooms. All classrooms have plasma monitors that are utilized effectively during instruction. We also utilize a media retrieval system to enhance learning opportunities. ELMOS are utilized in most classrooms. PRS systems are available to teachers as well as "green screen" technology. Distance learning opportunities are available and classes are able to go on virtual field trips.
Students in grades Kindergarten through third grade have regularly scheduled visits to the lab, and teachers have the opportunity to sign up for additional lab time. We also utilize the talents of our district educational technologist. We have two "Lighthouse" technology teachers in the building that help to lead our program. All teachers have been trained to utilize available software through conference days and professional development training.
Lab instruction focuses on integrating existing curriculum while developing technological skills. Through a variety of software applications and educational Internet web sites, students develop projects and problem solving skills while fulfilling requirements and standards set forth by The New York State Education Department and ISTE.
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