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Academics Congress School’s academic program equips students with a strong foundation upon which they can build a successful future. The Congress curriculum is modeled after a vision in which children are looked at as individuals, where their unique needs and talents are strengthened to support the development of life skills, morals and values. Our staff is committed to guiding students to become independent thinkers and lifelong learners in a safe and caring environment. The entire school community practices and promotes the 4 C’s of Congress: Communication, Collaboration, Consistency and Continuity. Congress is an exemplary learning institution and has been recognized as a Blue Ribbon School. For this reason, coupled with the extraordinary learning environment and strong academics, parents choose to send their children to Congress and they often remain at our school through grade 8.
Congress School’s strong academic program offers assistance to students through the Student Achievement Guaranteed in Education (SAGE) program. SAGE offers a reduced class size of 15 students to one teacher from kindergarten to grade 3. Designed to move students to higher levels of proficiency with more personalized instruction, Congress School’s curriculum is aligned with Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction State Standards and MPS Learning Targets.
Mathematics
Language Arts/Writing The Language Arts/Writing curriculum at Congress enables students to use the English language as a tool for self-expression. Kindergarten work focuses on the child’s oral skills and on connecting the spoken and written word. In grade 1, children continue to express themselves using words. They also gain additional practice with computer software, basic research and the media. Grade 2 learners improve their Language Arts skills by expanding their vocabulary, creating pieces of writing through multiple drafts and participating in class discussions. In grade 3, students apply proper grammar and exhibit correct spelling to a variety of writing selections while students in grade 4 develop well-organized writing assignments, complete with details, effective word choice and correct sentence structure. Grade 5 students use revision strategies and peer feedback to write a report and then present it to the class. They also design media products to teach their audience about a specific issue. In grade 6, students improve note-taking skills, using them to complete a research paper as well as plan an advertising campaign. Grade 7 students create multimedia products, assess media messages and defend their ideas using evidence. Learners judge effective writing and speaking and make informed judgments about the media and products in grade 8. By the time they graduate, most students exhibit strong writing skills that prepare them for success in high school.
Reading
At Congress, the staff recognizes the impact well-developed reading skills have on a student’s education. In order to excel in all subject areas, students must have a strong foundation in literacy. In kindergarten, young learners are introduced to reading readiness skills and are prepared for the beginning stages of reading. Grade 1 learners explore relationships between different letters and sounds while gaining meaning from stories. In grade 2, students’ enhance their reading skills as they apply new strategies to different texts, read aloud with expression and analyze parts of the story. Grade 3 students are mostly fluent readers and are able to read simple chapter books. They analyze and summarize story elements from a variety of books, discuss main ideas and distinguish between different genres. The focus in grade 4 is on teaching children to use reading materials and other resources as sources of information, applying a variety of reading strategies to unlock the meaning of text. Grade 5 learners begin making connections between what is read and real life while using multiple resources to research and gain information. Students explore new themes, read with fluency, accuracy and expression and develop critical opinions about texts in grade 6. As they advance to grade 7, students read classical literature and contemporary literature, distinguishing between the two and connecting themes to their own experiences. In grade 8, students evaluate material from different sources for accuracy and value.
Mathematics
Mathematics instruction at Congress equips students with the resources needed to apply mathematics concepts to real-world problems. During the kindergarten years, children practice counting and sorting, learn about colors and shapes and discuss how numbers represent quantities. Grade 1 students practice addition and subtraction while identifying shapes, recognizing patterns and developing ideas in data. In grade 2, children increase their knowledge of geometrical shapes, describe data and use measurement tools. Grade 3 learners practice multiplication and division, while grade 4 students work with fractions and decimals. Students collect and apply mathematical data while estimating, measuring and predicting outcome in grade 5. The focus in grade 6 is on applying basic skills in a range of application problems. Students also discuss area and perimeter, use graphs to represent data and solve equations. In grade 7, students focus on understanding processes and finding solutions while developing their ability to reason and draw conclusions. As they approach graduation, grade 8 students explore all strands of mathematics while justifying their strategies and using the appropriate mathematical terms and vocabulary as they prepare for higher level mathematics in high school.
Science
The Science curriculum at Congress provides exemplary instruction through hands-on scientific investigations and in-depth concepts taught using scientific methods and vocabulary. In kindergarten, science lessons teach children to participate in the exploration and discovery of the world around them while appreciating the natural world. In first and second grade, children continue the process of scientific discovery and observation of the world around them. Grade 1 learners discuss careers in science, study motion, identify the sun, moon, stars and planets and learn about the life cycles of living things. In grade 2, students learn about different scientists throughout history, explore the sound as well as properties of earthly materials and discuss the impact of technology on the world. Scientific exploration leads to a deeper understanding of scientific principles and the world in grade 3. Students construct sketches and models to explain ideas and concepts as well as discuss changes in the environment. As they advance to grade 4, learners begin interpreting what they observe and learn to group and classify living and nonliving things. They also investigate electricity in addition to light, sound, heat and magnetism. In grade 5, students record their work using models, graphs, map and charts as well as discuss important scientific events throughout history. Grade 6 lessons teach students about changes in matter, basic geology and how ecosystems work. Students also pose questions and predict results. Instruction, reading and experimentation guide the lessons in grade 7. Students analyze motion and direction, compare and contract different types of energy and detail changes in population. They also examine scientific topics in the media. In grade 8, students evaluate scientific ideas and apply facts while refining their research skills. Topics in grade 8 lessons include chemical reactions, structures and functions of the human body and the consequences of decisions affecting personal health and safety.
Social Studies
The Social Studies curriculum at Congress includes five areas of study: Geography, History, Civics, Economics and Behavioral Sciences. Kindergarten students begin their journey in Social Studies education by exploring their role as members of a diverse world. During these early years, young learners are also introduced to maps and globes, family cultures and traditions and rights and responsibilities. Grade 1 children use historical artifacts, documents and photos to describe how families and Social Studies are related. The focus in grade 2 is on diversity in neighborhoods as students explore the community around them, demonstrate the idea of citizenship and explains similarities and differences in cultures. Grade 3 children learn about the larger world and connect it to their lives in Milwaukee. States and regions are discussed in grade 4, with an emphasis on the state of Wisconsin. In grade 5, students study the United States in greater depth, focusing on different regions, creating a timeline of historical events and explaining supply and demand and its influence on the nation. Students learn about ancient and medieval civilizations in grade 6 while grade 7 learners focus on the modern world. During their last year at Congress, grade 8 students study U.S. government, a market economy and various social issues.
Physical Education The overall goal of Physical Education (P.E.) instruction at Congress is to develop awareness of the importance of physical fitness. In kindergarten, children are encouraged to develop an interest in physical activity as they practice basic movements and follow directions. Learners begin playing physical games together as they learn about cooperation and sportsmanship in grade 1. Grade 2 P.E. teachers guide children as they stretch themselves and meet new physical challenges. In grade 3, students show pride in their accomplishments and give positive feedback to classmates as they play games together. Children also demonstrate different types of exercise, including warm-ups, cool-downs, strengthening and aerobic. The focus in grade 4 is on improving individual skills while participating in group activities. Grade 5 students learn how their bodies work and apply this knowledge to physical activities. Students develop their individual ability to assess and monitor their own physical activity in grade 6. As they advance to grade 7, students are encouraged to participate in physical fitness activities outside of school as they develop a lifelong interest in both individual and team sports. Grade 8 students demonstrate responsible personal and social behavior while exhibiting an understanding of healthy physical activity and nutrition.
Art Art education is as essential to the basic education of all children as Reading, Writing and Mathematics. As an area of study, art education focuses on how things are presented visually, knowing what makes beautiful art and solving problems creatively. Kindergarten students gain awareness of art and begin creating their own artwork. Grade 1 learners identify the work of famous artists, analyze how mood is created in art and make simple three-dimensional forms, such as clay figures. Students recognize that art takes different forms, develop skills using artistic tools and discuss how art is affected by color in grade 2. As they advance their skills in grade 3, students distinguish between different types of art and are introduced to perspective. Grade 4 children develop greater skill using art materials and discuss artistic design. Learners further their experience using perspective in grade 5, as they analyze unique ways in which art is created and viewed. In grade 6, students compare art from different cultures and identify elements of art and design. Grade 7 Art instruction focuses on principles of art and design and the role art plays in society. In their final year at Congress, grade 8 learners create computer-generated art, realizing that art takes many different forms.
Health
Health education at Congress includes both a personal and community approach to health care. During the kindergarten years, children are taught the basics of caring for themselves and keeping themselves safe. Grade 1 children describe the importance of eating healthy foods while continuing their education on safety. Students connect their own actions and health habits with others in the community and are taught how diseases can be passed from one person to the next in grade 2. As they advance to grade 3, children examine messages the community gives and receives about health. The focus in grade 4 is on the reproductive system. Grade 5 learners explore the connection between health and personal habits while grade 6 students discuss healthy relationships and self-respect. Grade 7 instruction focuses on community responsibilities, while students complete a community service project. In grade 8, students learn about health issues they may soon encounter and healthy alternatives.
Music Children begin their musical education at Congress in kindergarten, as they sing and learn the basics of verse and melody. In grade 1, children increase their understanding of music and the arts as they learn to evaluate and appreciate musical performance. Grade 2 learners continue working with song and learn basic music notation. In grade 3, students practice rhythm, melody and harmony as they explore different instruments. By grade 4, most students can read basic music. They listen to and identify different musical styles and are introduced to instrumental ensembles. Grade 5 musicians play instruments and participate in choir. In grade 6, students advance their understanding of musical elements and improve their skills as they participate in organized instrumental, vocal, dance or theater groups. Grade 7 students perform together in choir and band. In grade 8, students attain greater skills in using instruments and voice combined with other musical forms, such as ensembles. Most students graduate from Congress with skills needed to identify elements of music and the ability to properly use musical vocabulary.
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