Curriculum (K-2)

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. 

In Orono Schools, children are introduced to enriching curriculum each week–called “Specials”–beginning in Kindergarten. Students experience engaging lessons and build relationships with other trusted educators in the school. Specials include:

• Art
• Library/media
• Music
• Spanish language and culture
• Physical Education/Health (twice weekly)

Orono Challenge (K-2)

Challenge Specialists work in conjunction with classroom teachers to provide a continuum of services. At Schumann Elementary, these services include:

• Classroom clustering of students with similar learning needs (K-2)
• Supported differentiation of instruction in classrooms
• Pullout program in rotating subjects to supplement classroom needs (Gr. 2) 
• Thinking Skills program delivered by Challenge Specialist in all K-2 classes
• Grade and subject acceleration, if appropriate
• Facilitation of mentorship opportunities 

Process to Assess and Identify Students for participation in Challenge Services

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. 

Students who qualify for Challenge pull-out programming typically achieve standardized test scores in the 97-99%ile 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

Available for all students:

• Thinking Skills program (K-2)

  • All students at Orono Schumann Elementary benefit from a unique “Thinking Skills” curriculum, delivered by the Orono Challenge teacher, who brings expertise in gifted-and-talented programming. By delivering these lessons to our youngest learners, we teach valuable critical thinking skills to all, while gaining an early look into the academic needs of the student body.

• Support in demonstrated classroom differentiation needs
• Imagination Fair, grade 2

Available for qualifying students:

• Continental Math League (CML), grade 2
• District #287 West Suburban Summer School Gifted & Talented offerings 

Community Education:

• World language classes
• Summer enrichment classes
• Critical and creative thinking classes

Students Transferring from Other School Districts

Participation in a gifted program in another school district does not necessarily qualify a student for gifted service in Orono. Orono provides a rigorous curriculum to meet the needs of our students. We evaluate a 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

Jane Smith
Orono K-5 Challenge Coordinator
jane.smith@orono.k12.mn.us
952-449-8338 Ext. 6109

In the classroom, students have 1:1 access to iPads where they can practice academic fundamentals through age-appropriate software applications. Teachers use Seesaw to showcase a student’s work and communicate lessons and learning objectives with families. 

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.