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Academics The Carver Academy curriculum is based on the MPS District Learning Targets, which are aligned to Wisconsin State Standards. The staff at Carver guides students on their paths to becoming independent, self-confident learners with strong skills and good decision-making abilities. Please click on the image below to download the Learning Targets brochures.
Library/Media Center
Library/Media Center All students, staff and families are encouraged to use the Carver Library/Media Center to locate, gather and retrieve information by using our computers or browsing our extensive collection of reading materials.
Language Arts/Writing A daily, 60-minute Reading/Language Arts block at Carver allows students adequate time to practice and improve their language skills. The Literacy Coach provides modeling and coaching to staff, ensuring that all staff members use the same resources and materials to reach students. Teachers use the Great Source Writing program to effectively teach Language Arts/Writing skills.
In the early grades, children learn how to express themselves using both spoken and written language, identify media messages and practice research skills. As they progress, they become comfortable using technology to research topics. Students learn to write a well-organized writing assignment, complete with details, effective word choice and correct sentence structure and grammar. Through class presentations, students express their ideas and use resources to defend these ideas. Once their research skills have been developed, students complete a research paper that lists resources and summarizes facts. By the time they graduate from Carver, most students are able to judge effective writing and speaking and to make informed judgments about media messages and products.
Reading 
In addition to the 60-minute Reading/Language Arts block students receive at Carver, they also have a 90-minute block dedicated to Direct Instruction, one-on-one, small group work centering on verbal and phonetic skills. As in Carver’s Language Arts program, the school’s Literacy Coach provides modeling and coaching to staff members. Teachers use the Houghton Mifflin Series.
When children begin at Carver, they learn new skills and explore relationships between different letters and sounds. Reading becomes more fluid as they learn skills to identify words and gain meaning from stories. At the end of Grade 2, most students will be able to read picture books. As students advance, they challenge themselves with higher levels of reading material and use their newly acquired skills in other subject areas, eventually utilizing a variety of reading strategies to unlock the meaning of text. By analyzing and interpreting information, students make connections between what is read and real life. In the middle grades, students read for meaning and explore new themes, gaining information along the way. By evaluating texts, students become critical readers, analyzing whether or not sources of information are accurate and correct.
Mathematics 
Carver’s Mathematics program calls for a daily, 60-minute Mathematics block. Students spend this time working on weekly Brainbusters (schoolwide problem solving), taking math fact tests and solving real life math problems. Carver’s Mathematics Coach provides modeling and coaching to staff members. The Houghton Mifflin Expressions series is used for the K5 – Grade 6 Mathematics curriculum. Seventh and eighth grade students use the Glencoe Math curriculum. Teachers complete weekly reports on chapter test data, performance test data and cumulative test scores. Carver’s Math Teacher teaches one class per week to each of K – 5th Grade classes and services the 6th – 8th grade classes daily on a six-week rotation.
Young learners at Carver study the basic processes of addition and subtraction. They also identify shapes, recognize patterns, develop ideas in data and use measurement tools. Once these skills are mastered, students learn multiplication and division, eventually working with fractions and decimals. In the middle grades, students study the concepts of geometry, algebra and data collection. They learn to use mathematical data to solve problems, including how to estimate and measure and how to predict outcomes. By the time students graduate, most have developed their ability to reason and draw conclusions, exploring and using different strategies and appropriate vocabulary as they prepare for higher level mathematics in high school.
Science 
Carver’s full-time Science teacher provides service to students in all grade and models for teachers, emphasizing skills versus content and the scientific method. The Science Lab gives students the opportunity to do experiments and investigations using scientific tools and equipment. Students are encouraged to ask and answer questions using scientific methods and vocabulary.
As they begin studying Science at Carver, students participate in hands-on, interactive activities that encourage scientific discovery and observation of the world around them. This exploration leads to a deeper understanding of scientific principles. Students learn basic facts that will provide the basis for in-depth study of particular areas of science in later years. At Carver, different scientific themes are discussed and analyzed. Students gather information through instruction, reading and experimentation. Eventually, they learn to evaluate scientific ideas and apply facts to investigative experiments and activities.
Social Studies The Social Studies program includes five areas of study: Geography, History, Civics, Economics and Behavioral Sciences. Throughout their time at Carver, students explore how families and social studies are related, learn about diversity in neighborhoods and discuss the connection between the larger world and their lives in Milwaukee. By focusing on states and regions, students learn to identify differences in groups. They spend a good deal of time studying the United States, with additional time spent learning about ancient, medieval and modern civilizations.
Physical Education The overall goal of Physical Education in K5 through Grade 8 is to develop an awareness of the importance of physical activity. As children grow and increase their athletic abilities, physical education teaches them not only how to participate in both team and individual sports and build lifelong healthy habits.
At Carver, children are encouraged to develop interest in physical activity at an early age. Physical Education classes encourage them to stretch themselves and meet new physical challenges. Students learn good sportsmanship and develop their personal skills in both individual and cooperative activities.
Art The Carver staff believes that art education is as essential to the basic education of all children as Reading, Writing and Mathematics. As an area of study, art education covers understanding how things are presented visually, knowing what makes beautiful art and creative problem solving. In their early years, students learn simple words to describe art and practice working with different materials. As they develop more skills, students explore different types of art and learn about artistic design. Through experiments with perspective and a variety of art projects, students deepen their understanding of the role art plays in society today.
Health Health education in K5 through 8th Grade includes both a personal and community approach to health care. At Carver, children explore health and safety topics and connect their own actions and health habits with others in the community, analyzing messages the community gives and receives about health. They also learn how diseases can be passed from one person to the next. As students progress in school, they learn the importance of healthy relationships and self-respect. They also focus on community responsibilities and complete a community service project.
Music Carver’s Music curriculum for kindergarten through Grade 8 provides children with musical understanding at a beginning to intermediate level. By increasing their understanding of music, students learn to evaluate and appreciate musical performances. They learn basic music notation and explore different instruments as they explore rhythm, melody and harmony. Once students can read basic music, they begin to listen to and identify different musical styles and are introduced to instrumental ensembles. By playing instruments and participating in choir, students advance their understanding of musical elements and improve their skill. |
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| "There is no shortcut to achievement. Life requires thorough preparation. Veneer isn't worth anything." Dr. George Washington Carver |
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