Curriculum (3-5)

The elementary English Language Arts curriculum provides students with foundational knowledge and skills to read, write, speak, listen, and think at high levels. Literacy curriculum and instruction emphasizes student engagement, interest, and joy in the experience of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Curriculum and instruction addresses phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Teachers work with students in whole-group, small-group, and individual instructional settings.  Individual student needs are met through assessment and feedback, choice and student-agency, differentiated materials, and individualized instructional practices. English Language Arts is the foundation for acquisition of knowledge and skills across content areas and cross-content learning is embedded in teacher practices. 

K-5 Interactive Read-Aloud Texts

Please visit the district's Literacy Plan webpages for more information.

Elementary Mathematics curriculum and instruction emphasizes the important concepts and skills necessary for students to think and apply mathematical reasoning. Elementary students learn foundational mathematical concepts, proportions and ratios, data analysis, geometry, and algebra. Students who need content acceleration are provided individualized and whole group opportunities. Everyday Mathematics is the core curricular resources used at the elementary level. Additional number sense development occurs through “number talks,” and cross-content application of mathematical concepts, particularly in science. Students not only develop strong foundational mathematics skills, they also develop an interest in seeing mathematical concepts in their authentic context.

Science curriculum and instruction is aligned with state science standards emphasizing scientific inquiry, activity participation in science experiences, and observation of scientific phenomena in a student’s context.  New science curricular units are being developed in alignment with those new state standards.  Elementary students will learn science through experiments and interacting with the natural world.  Students will develop scientific literacy through inquiry, reading and writing about science, and through classroom discussion.  Students will use journals, science lab materials, and other technology to engage in their learning. The Orono Schools campus serves as a prime location for students to interact with the natural world, building their passion and inquisitiveness about science. 

Elementary Social Studies curriculum is designed to ensure students have foundational skills and knowledge in the areas of citizenship and government, economics, geography, and history. The curriculum is taught in an interdisciplinary manner through English Language Arts teaching and learning and the citizenship pillars that are part of the Orono Character Program. Students in 4th and 5th grade engage more deeply in the study of United States geography and history. Teaching and learning is implemented using inquiry, reading, discussion, and project-based learning. 

Orono Challenge (3-5)

The district provides gifted and talented services for students who demonstrate the need to accelerate their learning. Orono Challenge Specialists work in conjunction with classroom teachers to provide a continuum of services. Programming in grades 3-5 is provided through small group clustering and engagement through push‑in (classroom-based) and pull-out (individual or small group) experiences.

At Orono Intermediate School (OIS), these services include:

• Classroom clustering of students with similar learning needs (3-5)
• Supported differentiation of instruction in classrooms
• Full-year pullout program to supplement math and/or language arts (3-5)
• Accelerated sections in math (4-5) 
• Grade and subject acceleration, if appropriate
• Facilitation of mentorship opportunities 

Challenge Specialists collaborate with classroom teachers to support differentiated instruction.

Process to Assess and Identify Students for participation in Challenge Services

Guidelines for Placement

The Orono School District identifies students requiring Challenge services via an ongoing, multidimensional screening process.  Considerations include classroom performance on summative measures, standardized test data, teacher observations, and individual learning characteristics. These characteristics may be reported by teachers, parents, and/or the students themselves. Eligibility for services is evaluated in the context of national and local comparisons. This screening process allows for flexibility and responsiveness to student needs. 

Advanced math sections: Explanation of assessment areas at OIS and grade 6 at OMS

• NWEA MAP Data: Standardized testing in the mathematics domain.  The examination measures four sub-areas including Number and Operation, Algebra, Geometry and Measurement, and Data Analysis.  This test is given twice per year.
• Problem Solving: Students periodically complete high level problem solving assessments.  These multi-step exercises require analytical reasoning 
• Out-of-Level Math Testing:  Students may be given an out-of-level test to provide additional information about student curricular needs
• Classroom teacher input

Pull-out program criteria at OIS (3-5):

Students who qualify for Challenge pull-out programming typically achieve standardized test scores in the 97-99%iles in measured subject areas across multiple measures AND consistently over time. In any given year, participants may represent the top 2%-5% scorers within a grade level.

Enrichment Opportunities

All students:

• STEM Fair, Fine Arts Festival, Literary Showcase
• Community Education: World Language, Summer Enrichment, Creative/Critical Thinking Classes

Qualifying students:

• District #287 West Suburban Summer Program/GT services
• CML (Continental Math League)
• Math Masters
• Excellence Through Classics National Mythology Exam

Students Transferring from Other School Districts

Participation in a gifted/talented program in another school district does not necessarily qualify a student for challenge service in Orono.  Orono provides a rigorous curriculum to meet the needs of our students.  We evaluate new student's needs in the same way we evaluate the needs of all other Orono students.  We review all relevant information forwarded from previous districts to aid in making placement decisions.

Contact

Angie Kalthoff
3-5 Challenge Teacher
Orono Intermediate School (3-5)
angela.kalthoff@orono.k12.mn.us
952-449-8338 ext. 6112

Jane Smith
Orono K-5 Challenge Coordinator
Schumann Elementary (K-2) 
jane.smith@orono.k12.mn.us
952-449-8338 ext. 6109

Teachers with special expertise and licensure in art, music and physical education deliver engaging curriculum throughout the week. Students in fifth-grade have their first opportunity to choose instruction in band or choir. Specials include:

• Art
• Library/media
• Music (choice of band or choir in fifth grade)
• Spanish language and culture
• Physical Education/Health (twice weekly)

The district’s character program evolves at the Intermediate School through Character Council, a student-led effort that makes the Six Pillars of Character come alive in the building. To be selected, interested students must apply, secure a staff recommendation, and demonstrate that they 
embody the Six Pillars in their daily life.

During this period of rapid growth and change, students may need intervention from our support team. We work closely with families to develop individual strategies that can be supported and reinforced at home. Students may engage with our literacy interventionist, Challenge teacher, social worker, school psychologist or behaviorist.

WIN (What I Need) Time is offered to students in grades 3-5 to gain the support they need to master core curriculum. In grades 3-4, WIN time is 30 minutes per day; in grade 5, students have two, 30-minute sessions to take advantage of new “specials” in band or choir. The IS band teacher also offers small-group lessons during WIN time.