Allen-Field Academics
The Allen-Field curriculum is based on the MPS District Learning Targets, which are aligned to Wisconsin State Standards. The staff at Allen-Field guides students on their paths to becoming independent, self-confident learners with strong, real-world skills and good decision-making abilities, ready to succeed in elementary school and beyond. Please click on the image below to download the Learning Targets brochures.
Academics are critical to Allen-Field’s success. Ongoing assessments and careful metrics of student achievement keep the scholastic performance at the school strong. By monitoring our learners, we better understand the strengths, abilities and language skills of each student. This knowledge allows us to tailor our teaching to deliver instructional strategies that best serve monolingual and bilingual children. The use of technology is extensive and teachers employ the latest software and hardware to reinforce basic concepts.
Allen-Field classrooms are positive, productive and structured learning centers. The school employs the Love and Logic Discipline approach. Special education students participate in regular education classes. This inclusion-style learning fosters great interaction with learners of all styles and abilities. With the rigorous academic curriculum detailed below, today’s Allen-Field students will be well prepared as they grow to become tomorrow’s leaders.
Language Arts/Writing
Allen-Field uses the Cunningham Model and the Six Traits writing strategy to guide Language Arts instruction. In K4, English Language Arts focuses on the child’s verbal skills and on connecting the spoken and written word. Children are introduced to the media, computers and research. In K5, the little learners continue to strengthen their speaking and writing abilities. In grade 1, children learn about words and how to express themselves using spoken and written language. Students begin to identify media messages and understand basic research skills. As learners move to grade 2, they continue to express themselves in writing while working to improve listening and oral communication. Students also explore the media and its various outlets.
In grade 3, students create a variety of writing selections and apply correct grammar and spelling. Computers are used for research and children share their findings verbally and in writing. Writing skills are a priority in grade 4. Students prepare a well-constructed writing assignment, complete with details, effective word choice and correct sentence structure. The comprehensive literacy framework ensures that by grade 5, learners are able to give presentations to their class based on selected research topics. Allen-Field employs the use of writing portfolios. All students in K5 –5th grade are expected to write an On The Demand writing piece three times during the year, this allow teachers to check that both monolingual and bilingual students are on track.
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Reading
Students with strong reading skills perform well across a variety curriculum areas as reading skills are used in many other subject areas. In K4, children are introduced to reading readiness skills, and are prepared for the beginning stages of reading. With daily reading blocks, children gain meaning, identify parts of a story and listen to the sound of good reading. By K5, our little learners connect letters to letter sound, and learn how letters combine to make words. Children are expected to know that reading is a path to knowledge. In grade 1, children continue to learn skills required in the beginning stages of reading. Students explore relationships between different letters and sounds and reading becomes more fluid as they learn skills to identify words and gain meaning from stories. Grade 2 children continue to learn reading fundamentals. Classroom teachers see dramatic skill increases as learners apply basic reading abilities to different texts with most children being able to read picture books.
Students in grade 3 challenge themselves with higher levels of reading material. Allen-Field mentors children to become fluent readers and to be able to read simple chapter books. In grades 4 and 5, instruction focuses on teaching children to use reading materials and other resources as sources of information. Teachers encourage learners to utilize a variety of reading strategies to unlock the meaning of text. Students continue to extend their use of reading strategies to analyze and interpret information as well as to make connections between what is read and real life.
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Mathematics
The Scott Foresman Mathematics curriculum is taught in Allen-Field math classes. K4 children learn that numbers represent quantities and they practice counting, sorting, patterning and comparing groups of objects. They also learn about colors and shapes. In K5, children continue to count, compare, add and subtract numbers in a story context. They sort, describe and compare shapes. K5 children also collect, sort, and represent data. Students in grade 1 learn basic processes of addition and subtraction. They identify shapes and recognize patterns. In grade 2, children increase their knowledge of geometrical shapes, describe data and use measurement tools. Grade 3 children learn multiplication and division. Students expand their understanding and use of multiplication and division in grade 4. They also work with fractions and decimals and begin to study basic concepts of geometry, algebra and data. In grade 5, children learn more about using mathematical data to solve problems, including how to estimate, measure and predict outcomes. A comprehensive mathematics framework ensures that students are performing at or above grade level in this subject area.
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Science
The instructors at Allen-Field teach science with hands-on investigations using real-world tools. Students are guided to ask and answer questions using scientific methods and vocabulary. K4 marks the beginning of children’s scientific discovery and teachers guide our little learners to observe the world in a scientific way. Children in K5 explore light, magnetism, motion and the properties of objects. For example, they classify and compare objects that sink or float. Teachers mentor learners to be curious and ask questions about how things work. In grades 1 and 2, children explore the process of scientific discovery and begin to take notes as they observe the world around them. Additional hands-on work and scientific exploration leads to deeper understanding of scientific principles and the world in grade 3. Students entering grade 4 begin the process of interpreting what they see around them. They group and classify living and nonliving things. Learners in grade 5 are equipped with facts and resources that will provide basis for in-depth study of particular areas of science in future science classes.
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Social Studies
The Social Studies course work includes five areas of study: Geography, History, Civics, Economics and Behavioral Sciences. K4 children explore themselves as members of a diverse world. Children will identify familiar places in the classroom, school and community (Geography), review charts and calendars (History), understand simple responsibilities as members of a family or classroom (Civics), hold money (Economics) and appreciate similarities and differences in classmates (Behavioral Science). K5 children identify maps and globes and talk about the seasons (Geography). They compare family cultures and traditions (History) and explain their rights and responsibilities (Civics). Children discuss jobs and list ways people earn money (Economics). Teachers ask the children questions about how families are alike and different (Behavioral Sciences).
In grades 1 and 2, children explore how families and social studies are related. They look at the diversity in neighborhoods around the city. Grade 3 students learn about the larger world around them and connect it to their lives in Milwaukee. Classroom work in grade 4 focuses on states and regions and specifically, the state of Wisconsin, while grade 5 course work concentrates on the United States.
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Physical Education
The overall focus of Physical Education is to develop awareness of the importance of physical activity. Allen-Field uses a discipline-based approach. As young children grow and increase their physical abilities, physical education teaches them not only how to participate in physical activities within groups, but to develop lifelong interest in both team and individual sports. In K4, children are encouraged to learn new physical skills. In K5, teachers coach children to strengthen their physical skills. They are introduced to healthy exercise habits. In grade 1, children are encouraged to develop an interest in physical activity by beginning to play physical games together. Physical Education in grade 2 classes encourages students to stretch themselves and meet new physical challenges. By grade 3, our active students learn good sportsmanship as they challenge themselves to try different physical activities. In grades 4 and 5, children move into group activities as they improve their individual skills. They begin to understand how their bodies work and apply this knowledge in physical activities.
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Art
Art education is as essential to the basic education as any other subject area. As an area of study, art education covers understanding how things are presented visually, knowing what makes beautiful art and practicing creative problem solving. Allen-Field uses a discipline-based approach to art education. In K4 and K5, children become aware of art and begin to create as well as to observe art in the world. As they grow and develop, they are able to identify the work of a famous artist. In grades 1 and 2, students learn words to describe art and work with different art materials. Students in grade 3 explore different types of art. Teachers instruct grade 4 learners to develop more skills using art materials. Learners also discuss artistic design. Grade 5 students experiment with perspectives from which art is created and viewed.
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Health
Health education at Allen-Field includes both a personal and community approach to health care. Second Step and Steps to Respect are two curricular programs used to teach social skills. The little learners in K4 and K5 are taught the basics of caring for themselves and keeping themselves safe. For example, they learn about good dental hygiene. They are also exposed to others in the community concerned with health and safety. In grade 1, children explore health and safety topics. Teachers in grade 2 classrooms provide lessons that allow children to connect their own actions and health habits with others in the community. They learn how diseases can be passed from one person to the next. Students in grade 3 look at messages the community gives and receives about health. In grades 4 and 5, learners study the human reproductive system and the connection between health and personal habits.
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Music
The Allen-Field Music curriculum provides children with musical understanding at a beginning to intermediate level. Allen-Field uses a discipline-based approach. K4 learners begin their study of music with singing and learning the basics of verse and melody. K5 children further their music education with more songs and activities with rhythm and rhyme. They learn that musical notes represent sounds. In grade 1, children increase their understanding of music and the arts. They learn to evaluate and appreciate musical performance. In grade 2, students continue working with song and they memorize basic music notation. In grades 3 and 4, children explore different instruments as they continue to learn about rhythm, melody and harmony. Grade 4 musicians can read basic music and they begin to listen to and identify different musical styles. Students are introduced to instrumental ensembles. In grade 5, students play instruments in the classroom and participate in choir.
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Special Education
Allen-Field provides a comprehensive program for learners with special education needs. Services are offered to students both in the bilingual and monolingual classroom environment. Students receive education and support that aligns with their Individual Education Plan (IEP). Special education classes occur in regular education classrooms, in small group specialized settings, or in special education resource rooms. Allen-Field employs a wide range of professionals, such as a full-time psychologist, social worker, diagnostic teacher, speech therapists and special needs administrator.
Through Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) and Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP) processes, special needs students gain academic and social skills as well as problem-solving strategies. Through the Child Find referral process Allen-Field also evaluates and develops IEPs for children living within the school community.
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