The K-5 mathematics curriculum at Hildreth Elementary School is fully aligned with the most current version of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Each of our grade levels focuses on the state’s five mathematics strands which include: NUMBER SENSE and OPERATIONS, PATTERNS, RELATIONS and ALGEBRA, GEOMETRY, MEASUREMENT, as well as DATA, STATISTICS and PROBABILITY. The specific standards for each grade level are full integrated and spiraled throughout our math curriculum. There is a direct link below to the MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education if you are interested in the detailed listing of the grade level standards. http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/

Within our classrooms our students actively participate in a variety of math learning activities: large group instruction which often incorporates our SmartBoards, collaboration in small groups as well as individual investigations which allow them to try, apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems. Formal and informal assessments include class discussions, individual assignments, projects, quizzes, tests, teacher observation, as well as probing questions that help students articulate their thinking both orally and in writing. Each spring, all students in grades 3-5 participate in the state-wide MCAS math assessment. Preparation for these tests is integrated within our daily instructional activities and includes practice in multiple choices, short and open response questions. We are currently integrating two math programs to build and expand our students’ mathematical knowledge: Investigations by TERC for a constructivist, hands-on approach as well as Scott Foresman/ Addison Wesley to further support computation skills and assessment.

Our math program is supplemented by our math tutors based on the Response to Intervention model so that we provide instructional support for both struggling students as well as enrichment opportunities at each grade level. We also offer software support with the Successmaker program in our computer lab during Targeted Instruction Block as well as before and after school.

Click here for more information on The Importance of Number Fact Mastery.

Please contact our math curriculum coordinator, Gretchen Henry (ghenry@psharvard.org) if you have any further questions or concerns.

The Hildreth Elementary School is committed to developing joyful, lifelong readers and writers. We believe that literacy is the foundation for a child’s overall education and, in alignment with the Common Core State Standards, that the ability to read critically and express one’s thoughts both orally and in writing is essential to building competencies in all curriculum areas. Students will develop into proficient readers and writers by regularly engaging in authentic, meaningful literacy tasks. Research demonstrates that the path to successful acquisition of literacy skills will not be the same for all children and recognizes the value of implementing a balanced approach to literacy instruction. At Hildreth Elementary School, balanced literacy instruction takes place in a Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop context. This approach is characterized by the explicit teaching of reading and writing strategies, differentiating instruction based on ongoing assessment, and providing ample time for students to practice their developing skills by reading and writing.

Social studies is taught to all students at HES, grades K-5. The curriculum combines the learning of content and skills in the study of history, geography, economics, civics, and government. Our social studies curriculum draws on many disciplines and integrates them.

While encouraging respect for differences in home backgrounds, the social studies curriculum at HES nurtures students’ sense of their common ground as present or future American citizens and prepares them for responsible participation in our school’s and civic life. It also emphasizes the development of the political principles and institutions of Western civilization as well as preparing students to understand the world outside the United States.

The social studies curriculum at HES was devised from the History and Social Science Curriculum Framework published by the Massachusetts Department of Education in December 2001. Currently a team of teachers at HES is re-examining our social studies curriculum and its alignment with the most recent, 2003, Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework.

Welcome to Second Step/Steps to Respect!

This is our character education and Bullying Prevention Program.

We want your child to be as successful as possible at school. Success is as much about knowing how to learn and how to get along as it is about academics. We will be using this program to teach these critical skills. The staff, administrators, guidance counselor, and specialists will all be involved in teaching your child’s classroom.

The program teaches skills in four areas:
1.Skills for learning
2.Empathy
3.Emotion Management
4.Problem Solving

Your child will be learning a lot this year and we will need your help! Enclosed are some home link activities. They are simple, fun activities for you and your child to complete together. They are a great way for you to understand what your child is learning as well as reinforce those skills. (Not every lesson has a home link.)

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me or your child’s classroom teacher for more information. Thank you for supporting your child in learning the skills that lead to success in school and in life.
Sincerely, Christine Reale, LICSW Guidance Counselor

HILDRETH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HABITS OF MIND INITIATIVE

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.” ~ Plutarch

This quote captures the Habits of Mind philosophy that mastery of content alone does not ignite the power of the mind.

OVERVIEW
Harvard Public Schools Strategic Plan – Goal #1
“Harvard’s entire pre-K – 12 curricula will integrate core content knowledge with the critical thinking skills needed for success in the 21st century.”

Habits of Mind was selected to achieve Strategic Plan Goal #1 at the Hildreth Elementary School. The initiative was launched in August 2009.

HABITS OF MIND (HoM)
Research based approach, versus a program, to purposely nurture critical thinking skills 16 researched-based behaviors support critical thinking

HoMs INTRODUCED SCHOOL WIDE as of January 2012

• Persisting
• Managing Impulsivity
• Responding with Wonderment and Awe
• Applying Past Knowledge
• Listening with Understanding and Empathy
• Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision

HoMs REMAINING

• Questioning and Posing Problems
• Finding Humor
• Taking Responsible Risks
• Metacognition – Thinking about Thinking
• Striving for Accuracy
• Gathering Data through All the Senses
• Thinking Interdependently
• Thinking Flexibly
• Creating, Imaging, Innovating
• Remaining Open to Continuous Learning

IMPLEMENTATION

SCHOOL-WIDE READ-ALOUDS
School-wide read alouds of books that exemplify a HoM are read in all classrooms during a specified time frame. School-wide books are “ageless’ and strengthen that common experience and language to support a school-wide culture of HoM. In addition, teachers select books from the lists that are appropriate for their grade-level. The following is a list of school-wide read alouds completed to date.

Book Title	Habit of Mind
Brave Irene	Persisting
Owl Moon	Managing Impulsivity
The Ox-Cart Man	Listening with Understanding and Empathy
The Wednesday Surprise	Listening with Understanding and Empathy
The Igauna Brothers	Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision
Owen and Mzee Twilight Comes Twice	Responding with Wonderment and Awe

OPERATIONALIZE CHARTS
Operationalize charts are used to model the application of HoMs. Teachers often guide students to complete a class chart and add to it as students identify HoM behaviors. Developmentally appropriate charts were created for each HoM for grades PrK-1, 2-3 and 4-5.

Persisting Stick To It!
Looks Like	Sounds Like	Feels Like
I stay focused. I do not quit. I keep trying even if it’s hard. I try another way - Plan B. I can work with others. I can ask others for ideas. I take time to do my best.	I can do this. I have an idea. What’s your idea? How about this? It’s ok. I just need to try my best. It will be worth my effort.	I can have fun. I might be challenged. I might get frustrated I am proud. I know I tried my best. WOW!

REPORT CARD
Introduced HoM will replace the previously used Social and Learning Skills on February report cards.

LEARN MORE...
We encourage you to educate yourself about the Habits of Mind approach to teaching critical thinking skills in all aspects of life. And, invite you to join us to kindle the flame of intelligent, creative and flexible thinking in all our children. http://www.habitsofmind.org