Elementary Learning
During school hours Elementary students children engage in core academics, unified arts programming, and social and emotional learning opportunities. Core content areas include literacy (reading and writing), math, social studies and science. Dedicated time to address social emotional health and wellness is also embedded into the schedule. A one hour lunch and recess block prioritizes giving ample time for students to engage in healthy play and social engagement.
To support the increasingly diverse and intensive needs of the student population the District and School Committee have made concerted and sustained efforts to maintain reasonable class sizes at the elementary level and to provide robust intervention, Special Education, and related services to all students.
Learning is a blend of hands-on, interactive experiences that highlights the variety of student strengths and interests present in our Elementary schools. Dedham is a 1:1 school district and as such, students use their Chromebooks to access a variety of learning and practice programs throughout the day as well as using this tool for online collaboration with peers.
Curriculum Overview By Topic
- English Language Arts & Literacy
- Mathematics
- Science, Engineering, Technology
- History & Social Sciences
- Health & Physical Education
- Fine Arts
English Language Arts & Literacy
To be truly literate, students need to acquire wide-ranging knowledge of the world learned through a well-balanced curriculum. Content knowledge is the indispensable companion to improved reading comprehension, since a child needs background knowledge about a topic in order to identify the main ideas and details of an informational text, or to understand how and why events unfold in a historical novel.
"All through the elementary grades, students need to be immersed in classrooms, schools, and libraries that provide a wide variety of books and media at different levels of complexity in a variety of genres—both literature and nonfiction. They need daily activities in which they develop language skills, mathematical understanding and fluency, understanding of experimentation and observation in science, creative experience in visual and performing arts, and the ability to interact with the community in a variety of ways. The pre-K–5 standards include expectations for reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language applicable to a range of subjects, including ELA, social studies, science, mathematics, the arts, and comprehensive health." - Massachusetts Curriculum Framework – 2017
Dedham Classroom Curriculum - Amplify CKLA
In Fall 2024, Dedham classrooms K-5 will be switching to Amplify’s Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) to for ELA & Literacy curriculum.
Amplify CKLA is a nationally recognized curriculum used in over 38,000 classrooms and top-rated by the third-party curriculum review organization, EdReports. Built on the Science of Reading research, Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) sequences deep content knowledge with research-based foundational skills.
Amplify CKLA provides high-quality classroom resources and lessons to help children become fluent, confident readers while deepening their background knowledge and vocabulary through exposure to a variety of rich topics. Research shows that background knowledge and related vocabulary about a topic improves reading comprehension. Building on this critical research, Amplify CKLA focuses both on developing foundational reading skills and integrating content knowledge in science, social studies, and literature into the literacy block.
Families who would like to learn more about this new curriculum may visit the CKLA Caregiver Hub: https://amplify.com/caregiver-
Mathematics
The mathematical skills and understanding that students are expected to demonstrate have wide applicability outside the classroom or workplace. Students who meet the standards are able to identify problems, represent problems, justify conclusions, and apply mathematics to practical situations. They gain understanding of topics and issues by reviewing data and statistical information. They develop reasoning and analytical skills and make conclusions based on evidence that is essential to both private deliberation and responsible citizenship in a democratic society.
"Students should be given opportunities to discuss math’s relevance to everyday life and their interests and potential careers with teachers, parents, business owners, and employees in a variety of fields such as computer science, architecture, construction, healthcare, engineering, retail sales, and education. From such discussions, students can learn that a computer animator uses linear algebra to determine how an object will be rotated, shifted, or altered in size. They can discover that an architect uses math to calculate the square footage of rooms and buildings, to lay out floor dimensions and to calculate the required space for areas such as parking or heating and cooling systems (kumon.org}. They can investigate how public policy analysts use statistics to monitor and predict state, national or international healthcare use, benefits, and costs." - MA Mathematics Curriculum Framework
Dedham Classroom Curriculum - EveryDay Math 4
EveryDay Math 4 (EDM4) is a research-based program developed by The University of Chicago Mathematics Project. It is closely aligned to The Common Core and like The Common Core is aimed at developing all students’ mathematical power - their ability to reason, communicate, and solve problems. EDM4 also works to help students develop the belief that math is worthwhile and confidence in their own mathematical abilities.
There are a number of features that distinguish EDM4 curriculum and they include:
- An emphasis on the application of mathematics to real world situations that are relevant to everyday life.
- A variety of learning opportunities that balance teacher-directed instruction with opportunities for open-ended, hands-on explorations, long-term projects, and on-going practice.
- A variety of methodologies for basic skills practice that include written and choral fact drills, mental math routines, practice with fact triangles, daily review problems (Math Boxes), home work (Home Links) and a variety of math games for in school and at home practice.
Each grade of the EDM4 curriculum is designed to build and expand a student’s mathematical proficiency and understanding. There is a strong component of at home support in EDM4. Parents can learn more from their student’s classroom teacher and at this site: EveryDay Mathematics-Resource and Information Center.
Science, Engineering, Technology
The science and technology/engineering standards are intended to drive engaging, relevant, rigorous,
and coherent instruction that emphasizes student mastery of both disciplinary core ideas (concepts) and
application of science and engineering practices (skills) to support student readiness for citizenship,
college, and careers.
"A student’s ability to engage in scientific and technical reasoning through relevant experience results in better understanding of science and engineering, increased mastery of sophisticated subject matter, a better ability to explain the world, and increased interest in STEM fields. These are key outcomes for
successful engagement in civic, college, or career contexts." - MA Science and Technology Engineering Framework
MA Science and Technology Engineering Framework
Dedham Classroom Curriculum - Building Blocks of Science (BBS)
Our science curriculum is based on Building Blocks of Science (BBS), a hands-on inquiry-based curriculum developed by Carolina Biological Sciences. In Grade 1 BBS consists of three units that comprehensively align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), incorporating all standards for the science and engineering practices, and core disciplinary ideas. These units are taught sequentially over the course of the school year as follows: Light and Sound Waves; Sky Watchers; and Exploring Organisms.
BBS uses a constructivist approach to learning in which students engage in active processes of hands-on inquiry, investigation of resources, and class discussion to develop conceptual understandings and construct knowledge. The curriculum follows an instructional model that consists of five phases (also called the 5Es):
- Engagement: students draw upon prior knowledge to make connections to new concepts or topics
- Exploration: students are provided with an activity related to a concept or topics and are encouraged to make claims and observations, collect evidence, and ask questions
- Explanation: students use observations and discussion to construct an explanation for a concept or topic they are studying
- Elaboration: students draw upon their experiences and apply knowledge to a new situation to demonstrate understanding
- Evaluation: students assess their knowledge and review what they have learned
All of the BBS units use examples of science phenomena in the real world to make student learning relevant and meaningful. Each day in science, students participate in hands-on activities that provide opportunities to build their growing conceptual understanding of science concepts and make connections to how this helps them better understand the world around them. They make these connections in class discussions, in design challenges, and as they write in their science notebooks. The literacy components of BBS (Literacy Readers, Literacy Articles, Science in the News Article Reports) also contribute to student growth by building vocabulary, content understanding, and developing cross curricular connections as well.
History & Social Sciences
The primary purpose of a history and social science education is to prepare students to have the
knowledge and skills to become thoughtful and active participants in a democratic society and a
complex world.
"Standards for history and social science practice emphasize the skills of formulating questions, conducting research, evaluating sources, and synthesizing information. Standards for literacy in history and social science set expectations for analytical reading and logical writing and speaking, skills essential to political equality and civic engagement." - MA History and Social Science Framework
MA History and Social Science Framework
Supplement to the 2018 Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework — Updated December 2021
Health & Physical Education
The Elementary wellness teachers in the Dedham Public Schools work closely together to ensure that our Early Learning and Elementary students are provided interactive, engaging and fun opportunities that are challenging and designed to help develop specific skills.
DPS Health and Physical Education lessons utilize two key curriculum formats, combined with shared ideas, additional activities and innovative approaches that extend beyond the scope of OPEN, to develop lessons that align with the 2023 MA Comprehensive Health and PE Framework and the National Health and Physical Education Standards.
- Second Step Elementary - a leading research-based SEL curriculum for students in Kindergarten–Grade 5.
- Online Physical Education Network (OPEN)
What Happens During Class?
It’s no longer the PE class parents remember when they were growing up. Students are now experiencing a well rounded and unique wellness opportunity that prepares individuals not only physically, but mentally, socially, academically and emotionally. Every class has been created to combine health education topics and physical education activities to engage all students.
In the early grades, students work on developing locomotor, balance, manipulative skills, and knowledge so as they progress through the curriculum older students are allowed to focus on improving their individual skills and apply what they have learned in a number of different applications. Additionally, combining health and physical education allows the program to focus on the whole student. Creating opportunities to explore oneself, interact and engage with others away from the limitations of the classroom environment are essential skills that allow students to thrive in the 21st century.
Second Step (Health Education)
The Second Step Elementary Classroom Curriculum Kits facilitates student learning by addressing a variety of skills that will benefit individuals in school, at work, and in life. These skills focus on elements of listening, focusing attention, making friends, and problem-solving. The lessons and it’s sequence is research-based and has been developed to scaffold on prior knowledge and skills to best support student learning and success.