- Carleton
- Overview
Our Academics and Electives
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We draw upon the expertise of our educators and work together to create models of outstanding achievement in every classroom. Through implementing high-quality instructional materials and transforming the academic culture in our schools, we challenge and inspire our students to thrive in the world. With a wide variety of academics and enrichment opportunities aligned with state standards, we support students in unlocking their potential as they extend their skills and talents beyond the classroom. Our core curriculum includes:
- English Language Arts - We are committed to nurturing and developing a strong literacy foundation for all students in the early school years by implementing literacy instructional frameworks that prepare students to become independent readers and writers.
- Math - The mathematics curriculum seeks to ensure mathematical competence and confidence in students in mathematics-rich classroom environments.
- Science - Classroom experiences in science are connected to real-world phenomena and provide opportunities to engage in science and engineering practices through exposure to STEM-related career pathways.
- Social Studies - Students gain the content knowledge, intellectual skills, and core democratic values necessary for fulling their civic duties in a participatory democracy and effectively engaging in our global society.
Academics
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DPSCD implements the EL Education curriculum to provide a standards-based literacy program that engages students through real world content, rigorous instruction and interactive learning opportunities. The goal of the program is by the end of second grade, students are able to independently read and comprehend grade level text and continue to master complex literacy skills. The program focuses on three student centered literacy goals.
Mastery of Knowledge and Skills
- Develop proficient readers and communicators
Character
- Become confident, ethical and effective literacy learners
High-Quality Student Work
- Create high-level, meaningful, and authentic literacy works
In order to address the key focal areas, the curriculum incorporates two or three hours of literacy instructional per day based on grade level. This is achieved through all block instructional times, interactive technology modules, and authentic, hands-on instructional and application lessons. For more information, please visit the DPSCD EL Curriculum Page.
EL Education for K-2nd grade
- 3 hours of instruction that include two hours of content-based learning, module sessions plus one hour of structured phonics. The objective for primary grades is to develop a strong literacy and phonemic foundation in preparation for higher order literacy skills necessary for third grade and beyond.
EL Education for 3rd-5th grade
- 2 hours of instruction that includes one hour of module lessons plus one hour of Language and Literacy block instruction with specific lessons related to writing mechanics and proper grammar usage.
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Carleton implements the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) for preschoolers who are 4 years old by September 1 of the enrollment year. The learning environment is designed to help with the social and academic development of students to prepare them for Kindergarten. The program runs Monday -Thursday and provides breakfast, lunch, and a snack daily. Preschool registration takes place in August with a maximum of 16-18 students per classroom. Once enrolled, Preschool teachers will conduct a home visit with each family to establish positive and open lines of communication prior to the first day of Preschool and will continue to visit during the year. For additional information and enrollment dates contact the school office at 313-866-8322.
Classroom Set Up
- Student-led learning areas: Art, House, Sand/Water, Toy, Block, Book & Computer
- Individual learning areas based on student interests
Daily Routine
- Combination of individual, small group, and whole group activities
- Adult and student-initiated activities
- Active and quiet times
- Indoor and outdoor experiences
- Students go outside twice a day, every day unless it is raining, storming, or the temperature/wind chill is 25º F or lower
Adult - Child Interaction
- Certified Lead Teacher
- Two aides per classroom
- Maximum of 8 to 1 child to adult ratio
- Warm and caring atmosphere
- Authentic conversations with students
- Encouragement of student problem solving
- Modeling and promoting positive social interactions
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Eureka Math
DPSCD adopted the Eureka Math Curriculum with the intention of helping our students shift from just finding the answers to actually understanding the why and how behind the mathematic processes. Eureka Math uses sequenced modules to help students achieve a deeper understanding of concepts while developing strong critical thinking skills. The program is a Common-Core aligned curriculum that helps students build upon their skills, provides real word stories and application lessons, and encourages mental strategies to problem solve. Grade level clusters have key focus areas and each grade level has specific modules of engagement. For more information, please visit the DPSCD Math Curriculum Page.
Key Areas of Focus for K-2nd
- Addition and subtraction - concepts, skills and problem solving
Kindergarten
- Representing, relating, and operating on whole numbers, initially with sets of objects
- Describing shapes and space
- Focus on number concepts
1st Grade
- Developing understanding of addition, subtraction, and strategies for addition and subtraction within 20
- Developing understanding of whole number relationships and place value, including grouping in tens and ones
- Developing understanding of linear measurement and measuring lengths as iterating length units
- Reasoning about attributes of, and composing and decomposing geometric shapes
2nd Grade
- Extending understanding of base-ten notation
- Building fluency with addition and subtraction
- Using standard units of measure
- Describing and analyzing shapes
Key Areas of Focus for 3rd-5th
- Multiplication and division of whole numbers and fractions—concepts, skills, and problem solving
3rd Grade
- Developing understanding of multiplication and division and strategies for multiplication and division within 100
- Developing understanding of fractions, especially unit fractions (fractions with numerator)
- Developing understanding of the structure of rectangular arrays and area
- Describing and analyzing two-dimensional shapes
4th Grade
- Developing understanding and fluency with multi-digit multiplication
- Developing understanding of dividing to find quotients involving multi-digit dividends
- Developing an understanding of fraction equivalence, addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators, and multiplication of fractions by whole numbers
- Understanding that geometric figures can be analyzed and classified based on their properties, such as having parallel sides, perpendicular sides, particular angle measures, and symmetry
5th Grade
- Developing fluency with addition and subtraction of fractions
- Developing understanding of the multiplication of fractions and of division of fractions in limited cases (unit fractions divided by whole numbers and whole numbers divided by unit fractions)
- Extending division to two-digit divisors, integrating decimal fractions into the place value system and developing understanding of operations with decimals to hundredths, and developing fluency with whole number and decimal operations
- Developing understanding of volume
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Next Generation Science
DPSCD implements a Science Curriculum that provides students opportunities to predict, question, test, investigate, and draw scientific conclusions. All instructional units are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and foster collaboration and engineering practice.
Grades K-2 implement the online Mystery Science program to provide hands-on inquiries and explorations connected to real-world concepts. Grades 3-5 utilize the Create for STEM program to expose students to critical thinking and engineering skills related to STEM based learning.
Kindergarten - Mystery Science
- Introduction to Digital Learning with NGSS
- Force Olympics
- Weather Watching
- Plant & Animal Secrets
1st Grade - Mystery Science
- Introduction to Digital Learning with NGSS
- Lights & Sounds
- Spinning Sky
- Plant & Animal Superpowers
2nd Grade - Mystery Science
- Introduction to Digital Learning with NGSS
- Material Magic
- Work of Water
- Animal Adventures
- Plant Adventures
3rd Grade - Create for STEM
- Introduction to Digital Learning with NGSS
- Squirrels: Why do I see so man squirrels but I can't find any stegosauruses?
- Toys: How can we design fun moving toys that other kids can build?
- Birds: How can we help birds near our school grow up and thrive?
4th Grade - Create for STEM
- Introduction to Digital Learning with NGSS
- Dynamic Earth: How is Earth going to change over 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000 and 1 million years?
- Energy: How can we harness energy to meet our needs?
- Fire Ecology: If fire is a hazard, why do so many plants and animals depend on fire?
5th Grade - Create for STEM
- Introduction to Digital Learning with NGSS
- Shadows: How is a shadow "made" and when is there no shadow?
- Taste: How can I create a new taste?
- Water: How can I help my community to always have clean and healthy fresh water?
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Our Social Studies curriculum is aligned with the Michigan State Standards and aims to develop a foundation of historical skills and concepts over time. Kindergarten focuses on students recognizing their place in the world and their individual responsibilities. Grades 1-3 introduces students to the concepts of Economics, Diversity, Geography, as well as Detroit and Michigan History. Grades 4 -5 instruction shifts to World History, Government, Impacts of War and continues to expand upon Detroit and Michigan History.
Electives
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Students will be exposed to the productivity tools of Microsoft and creative tools of various websites. Students will also use their laptops for communication and collaboration efforts.
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Students will be exposed to a variety of dance styles. They will learn basic principles of dance format and how it correlates to culture and history. Students will demonstrate their skills in our school showcase.
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Students will engage in physical education routines to promote strength, coordination and agility. They will also be exposed to health facts and tips for balanced eating.