

GOAL
We want ALL of our students to have the opportunity to succeed in a vibrant, enthusiastic classroom environment. We stress thinking, reasoning and application among all students through “hands-on” activities, balanced with student discussion and discovery.
Math Curriculum
East Side Charter School uses the Math Trailblazers Series for grades Kindergarten through Five (5). Math Trailblazers is an elementary mathematics curriculum for schools that want their Math program to reflect the goals and ideas of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards. It is aligned with Delaware’s State Standards.
Math Trailblazers is based on the ideas that Math is best learned in real-world contexts that make sense to children; that all students deserve a richer and more challenging curriculum; and that a balanced and practical approach to Mathematics learning is what students need and teachers want.
ESCS’s Middle School Math Program uses the Math Connects Series, providing a balanced approach of conceptual understanding, skills practice and problem-solving applications for ALL students in Grades 6 through 8.
The Math Connects content is presented in a developmentally appropriate way so that all students at various levels have the opportunity to succeed.
East Side Charter School uses Houghton Mifflin Reading (2008) as its literacy curriculum in grades Pre-K through 6th grade. It is a research-based balanced literacy series aligned with Delaware State Standards. Balanced literacy is a design based upon the recommendations of the National Reading Panel’s Five Essential Components of Reading:
(1) Phonemic Awareness – the knowledge that words are made up of sounds
(2) Phonics – the knowledge that letters represent sounds
(3) Fluency – the ability to read text accurately and smoothly
(4) Vocabulary – the knowledge of words
(5) Text Comprehension – the interaction between a reader and the text – what reading is all about!
The series has a balance of fiction and non-fiction and lessons that integrate grammar, writing, and spelling, along with activities linked to science and social studies. Assessment is a key component to the program beginning with pre-assessments early in the year that continue with weekly and thematic assessments to monitor student progress. There are technological components that engage students and offer support to readers needing support.
Science Curriculum
In Science at East Side Charter School, science is taught using science kits required by the Delaware Science Coalition. Through these science kits, students are able to explore different aspects of science through hands-on activities. Every grade has three different kits that are taught in the fall, winter and spring.
Delaware Science Coalition Kits
Elementary
|
|
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
K |
Trees |
Senses |
Wood and Paper |
|
1 |
Weather and Me |
Solids and Liquids STC Foss |
Organisms |
|
2 |
Soils |
Balancing and Weighing |
Insects |
|
3 |
Earth Materials |
Human Body |
Chemical Tests |
|
4 |
Structures of Life |
Magnetism and Electricity |
Land and Water |
|
5 |
Mixtures and Solutions |
Motion and Design |
Ecosystems |
Delaware Coalition Science Kits
Middle School
|
6 |
My Body and Me SEPUP |
Earth’s History FOSS |
Simple Machines DSU/DOE |
Forces that Cause Motion DOE |
|
7 |
Properties of Matter STC |
Diversity of Life FOSS |
Genetics SEPUP |
Delaware Watersheds DOE |
|
8 |
Transformation of Energy DSU/DOE |
Weather DSU/DOE |
Planetary Systems FOSS |
Ecosystems |