Academics

Albert Story K-8 School holds high expectations for all students. The dedicated staff emphasizes the importance of incorporating Fine Arts and Technology with core academic subjects, such as Reading, Science and Mathematics. The environment at Story nurtures the mind and enhances the educational experience for students by serving as a safe learning center that fosters self-expression, confidence and creativity.

Story meets the needs of its youngest learners by partnering with the MPS Department of Early Childhood to offer a state-licensed early child care classroom in our school setting. 

This program, offered to 2 and 3 year olds, is designed to provide a structured and balanced environment that prepares preschool children academically and socially for kindergarten.  We also offer preschoolers with diagnosed speech and language delays an intensive early childhood speech and language classroom. When students enter our full day 4 year old kindergarten program, they experience academics using fun and engaging activities in whole and small group settings.

The HighScope Program integrates all aspects of child development and is implemented in 5 year old kindergarten and grade 1 classrooms.  Using research-validated strategies, HighScope enhances each young person’s growth in the foundations of academics as well as social-emotional, physical and creative areas. Through HighScope we are able to employ paraprofessional educators that assist children with academic and social growth. Teachers and paraprofessionals are provided ongoing professional development in the HighScope philosophy and curricular areas. HighScope classrooms are supported through funding for field trips, supplies, materials, and family involvement activities.

The SAGE (Student Achievement Guarantee in Education) Program is offered in 5 year old kindergarten all the way through grade 3, allowing students to receive small group and more personalized instruction.

Along with the MPS district, Story adopted the Wisconsin Common Core State Standards in 2010. Aligned with college and career expectations, the standards ensure academic consistency throughout the state. They define the knowledge and skills that students should master during their elementary and secondary school education so that they may compete and succeed in a global economy. The Common Core State Standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators and experts to provide a clear and consistent framework that prepares American children for college and the workforce.

For more information, please visit the Common Core State Standards Initiative website (http://www.corestandards.org/)

Language Arts/Writing

Reading

Mathematics

Science

Social Studies

Physical Education

Art

Health

Technology

Language Arts/Writing

Story School’s English Language Arts/Writing program utilizes the Write Source series as a means of enabling students to use the English language as a tool for self-expression. Instruction focuses on specific genres, ensuring that students are able to write in various styles for different audiences. The writing block occurs for one hour each day.

At Story, writing is incorporated into every subject area through graphic organizers, journals, problem-solving, constructed response, note-taking, and research. Students with disabilities also participate in modified writing experiences using technology and nonlinguistic representation, which are incorporated into the Language! programs.

English Language Arts/Writing instruction begins at an early age with basic writing assignments that motivate students to express their thoughts by connecting the spoken and written word. They also expand their vocabulary, participate in class discussions and create pieces of writing through multiple drafts. Our staff teaches students to apply proper grammar and correct spelling while developing well-organized writing assignments, complete with details, effective word choice and correct sentence structure. Students are also taught to use revision strategies and to judge effective writing and speaking, including that in the media.

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Reading/Literacy

At Story, the staff recognizes the impact well-developed reading skills have on a student’s education. In order to excel in any subject area, students must have a strong foundation in literacy. The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt series is used in Kindergarten through 5th grade, with a daily 90-minute Comprehensive Literacy Block. Grades 6 through 8 utilize the McDougal Littell series with a daily 60-minute Comprehensive Literacy Block.  Story staff receives ongoing professional development, focusing on data analysis, differentiated instruction, formative assessment and the use of technology.

At an early age, young learners at Story explore the relationships between different letters and sounds while gaining meaning from stories. Reading skills are enhanced as students apply new strategies to different texts, reading aloud with expression and analyzing parts of the story. As students become more fluent readers, they begin to analyze and summarize story elements from a variety of books, discussing main ideas and distinguishing between different genres. The reading series is supplemented with a variety of fiction and non-fiction chapter books that provide students the opportunity to utilize their reading skills.  This wide array of literature enables students to build knowledge, gain insight, explore possibilities and broaden their perspective.

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Math

At Story, students explore all strands of mathematics and learn to think critically in order to solve real-world problems.  The Comprehensive Mathematics Framework occurs for an hour each day. Following district guidelines, the Houghton-Mifflin Expressions math series is used in K4-grade 5 while the Glencoe program is used in grades 6-8. 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. Story staff receives professional development focusing on data analysis, differentiated instruction, formative assessment and the use of technology.

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Science

Story utilizes the Harcourt Science series in grades K through 5.  Holt Science series is used in grades 6 through 8.

Young learners are introduced to science by exploring and discovering the world around them. They also discuss careers in science, study our world and learn about the life cycles of living things. As students progress, they discuss different scientists and important discoveries throughout history. They also explore sound, properties of earthly materials and the impact of technology on the world. Learners construct sketches and models to explain scientific ideas and concepts. Experiments enable students to participate in hands-on activities that further their understanding.

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Social Studies

The social studies curriculum at Story School includes five areas of study: Geography, History, Civics, Economics and Behavioral Sciences. Story utilizes the TCI Social Studies series in grades K through 5. Students in grade 6 through 8 utilize the McDougal Littell series. Story students identify themselves as members of a diverse society, exploring family cultures and traditions as well as rights and responsibilities. The Social Studies curriculum also introduces learners to maps and globes, historical artifacts, documents and photographs. Students discuss their community, citizenship and how the larger world connects to their lives in Milwaukee. Educators at Story take time to instruct students on states and regions as well as the United States government and historical events that impacted our nation.

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Physical Education

The overall goal of Physical Education (P.E.) at Story School is to develop awareness of the importance of physical activity. 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.

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Art
As an area of study, art education focuses on how things are presented visually, knowing what 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 Story, grade 8 learners create computer-generated art, realizing that art takes many different forms.

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Health

Health education at Story 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.
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Media and Technology

In addition to computers in every classroom, students have access to a fully-networked computer lab with current software programs that supplement regular classroom activities.

Technology is integrated into the Story curriculum, ensuring that students are prepared to succeed in a globally-connected world. At an early age, students are instructed in technology using a SMART Board. These resources combine the classic whiteboard with digital projection and a computer, creating an interactive system of learning for students. As students develop their technological knowledge, online researching skills are introduced and software applications allow students to reinforce key concepts, practice math calculations, build reading abilities and apply keyboarding skills.

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