Empire Elementary School

Grade Levels:

PreK - 4th Grade

K-4- 9:15am-3:50pm (doors open at 8:47am) 

Full-day Preschool- 9:15am-3:50pm

AM Preschool- 9:15am-11:45am 

English/Language Arts

Standards:

ELA Common Core Standards

Freeport School District Literacy Model is based on a balanced approach to instruction that guides students to become lifelong readers, effective writers, and communicators in a 21st-century world.  The balanced literacy model includes Reading, Writing, Language, Speaking and Listening, and Foundational Standards, which align with the Illinois ELA Standards.

Fundations Wilson Language Basics is used in Kindergarten through third grade. The Fundations Wilson program provides students with explicit instruction (phonemic awareness, phonics, and word study, spelling, handwriting, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension) in a multisensory, systematic approach.

https://www.wilsonlanguage.com/programs/fundations/

Schoolwide Fundamentals reading, writing, and grammar programs are used in Kindergarten through eighth grade. These Schoowide programs provide students with the skills and strategies needed to comprehend the text of various genres and to write for multiple purposes. Schoolwide uses a workshop model that consists of Interactive Read Alouds, Mini-Lessons, Guided Practice and concludes with a Wrap-Up discussion. Students are provided with explicit instruction in both reading and writing during the workshop model. Grammar and writing conventions are taught in context, not in isolation, to ensure students can apply these skills in their own writing.

https://www.schoolwide.com/

All students in Freeport School District have a myON license, which allows them to access digital books anytime and anywhere. The resources on myOn include a large selection of non-fiction texts, which include science, social studies, and math. Please view the following links to learn more about the myON program.

https://about.myon.com/webinar/engaging-families-successful-family-literacy-event

https://support.myon.com/resources-tutorials/get-started

Also, students have licenses for RAZ-Kids which is an award-winning resource that provides a library of differentiated books at 29 levels of difficulty students use to practice reading in school, at home, or on the go. Digital and mobile access means that students get the personalized reading practice they need anytime, anywhere. Learning A-Z 

• myON Digital Library
  https://support.myon.com/resources-tutorials/get-started
• Fundations Wilson Program
  https://www.wilsonlanguage.com/programs/fundations/
• Schoolwide Fundamentals
  https://www.schoolwide.com/

Math

Standards:

Math Common Core Standards

K-5 Math uses Bridges and Number Corner 

Bridges in Mathematics is a comprehensive PK–5 curriculum that equips teachers to fully implement the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics in a manner that is rigorous, coherent, engaging, and accessible to all learners.

The curriculum focuses on developing students’ deep understandings of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and novel problems. Bridges blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration. It taps into the intelligence and strengths of all students by presenting material that is as linguistically, visually, and kinesthetically rich as it is mathematically powerful.

Science

Standards:

Illinois Science Standards

Understanding the Next Generation Science Standards

K-8 Amplify Science

Freeport School District Science mission is for all students to receive a high-quality science education that embraces the Next Generation Science Standards with an emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills, to ensure students are college and career-ready and scientifically literate citizens.

Making sense of phenomena and designing solutions drives the teaching and learning process in Freeport School District science programs. Students make sense of phenomena or design solutions for real-world problems by using three-dimensional learning, which consists of the integrations of scientific and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and crosscutting concepts. Freeport School District embraces three-dimensional learning because scientific ideas are best learned when students engage in these practices. 

Social Studies

Standards:

Social Studies Standards

Social studies instruction in the Freeport School District is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Social Sciences and the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework.

Social studies instruction in the Freeport School District focuses on developing inquiry skills through an understanding of civics, geography, economics, and history. Classes are designed around students' growing awareness of the world around them, starting with families and communities in the early grades and building to national and global citizenship in high school. Throughout their classes, students will learn how to find and analyze resources, draw conclusions, and take informed action.

 Students in grades K-5 use Pearson's myWorld Interactive.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

SEL is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to:

• Understand and manage emotions
• Set and achieve positive goals 
• Feel and show empathy for others 
• Establish and maintain positive relationships
• Make responsible decisions

Social-Emotional Learning Standards

Second Step Program

PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is implemented school-wide)

PBIS