Math

With this in mind we have chosen to implement Math in Focus: Singapore Math as our Math curriculum. Math in Focus not only follows Florida B.E.S.T standards for mathematics but is an international curriculum that is tried, tested, and proven to be effective in encouraging confidence, independence, and a love for math at an early age. Math in Focus follows a framework in which problem solving is central to learning, resulting in a curriculum that promotes critical thinking skills in a positive way. By using a proven curriculum recognized for high achievement, our class will give your children the tools they need to not only succeed in math, but all future academics as well.

Reading

Learning to read is one of, if not, the most important step in a child’s educational development. Yet reading exams show that only 35 percent of fourth-grade students and 34 percent of eighth grade students scored proficient or higher in reading. (National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2019) Research has shown that the inability to read proficiently in third grade is linked to difficulties learning in other subject areas, difficulties reading in later grades, and decreased likelihood of attending college (Tennessee Department of Education, 2016). Saxon Phonics and Spelling provides children with the skills and practice they need to become fluent readers, thus opening the door to increased comprehension. This curriculum is evidence proven and research based, it works! Saxon is able to do this by highlighting the five key pillars of early literacy and reading instruction: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension. We know this curriculum works because it has proven effective in thousands of classrooms by helping students of different skill levels become stronger readers and spellers.

Science

At Citrus Learning Academy, a love for science is fostered through hands-on experiments, interactive lessons, and exploration. We encourage curiosity and promote scientific inquiry by teaching the scientific method through simple experiments that allow children to hypothesize, observe, and draw conclusions. The three sub-sciences our curriculum emphases are Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth and Space Sciences.

Social Studies

Social Studies is another subject that we believe is essential in helping students understand the world around them and their role within it. Studies Weekly, established in 1984, has proven to be an effective curriculum because it uses engaging, interactive nonfiction texts presented in a newspaper-style format that is easy for elementary students to understand. It is also standard aligned, integrated with ELA content, and research based.

Extra-Curricular

Along with our core subjects, Spanish and Art will be taught once a week and touched upon during daily activities to instill long term retention. On Mondays students will explore renowned artists such as Van Gogh and Claude Monet while studying and recreating their remarkable works of art. To finish our extra curriculars, physical education will be taken on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, as well as regular scheduled recess slots to stretch our arms and legs!