Curriculum


  • Freedom Falcons

     

    Spalding

     

    Spalding is the basis for an integrated language arts program at the CTA schools. Spalding is a method or style of teaching that allows the teacher to observe the students, plan appropriate instruction and adjust instruction to meet student needs. Spalding uses direct, sequential, and multi-sensory instruction.  Active participation of the students is an important part of the program.

    There are 3 curriculum components to Spalding:  Spelling, Reading and Written Composition.  The Spalding philosophy is child-centered with high expectations for quality work.  There is a purpose and a meaning for every lesson and the children are encouraged to develop higher-level thinking skills as they learn to spell, read and write.

    Spelling involves phonemic awareness, Phonograms with handwriting, development of high-frequency vocabulary and learning the rules and concepts of English.

    Written Composition develops an understanding of sentence structures starting at the simplest and moving to the complex.  Children learn to apply and use spelling and language rules. Using the writing process, children write stories, reports, essays and more.

    Reading is an essential element in which the children learn literary appreciation, discuss the elements of literature, read quality literature, learn about the text structures and author’s purpose and, most importantly, learn to comprehend the different types of text they read.

     Spalding Link

    HMH Journeys Reading 

    HMH Journeys is the adopted reading text of the Chandler Unified School District as of 2014. HMH Journeys is an excellent companion to the Spalding Program.  It is sequential, rooted in building strong reading skills, and utilizes high quality literature and non-fiction for instruction.  In addition, it is aligned to the new Arizona College and Career Ready Standards. Teachers also take advantage of CTA-Freedom's extensive collection of children’s trade books to meet individual needs in reading.
     
     
     
     

    Accelerated Reader and Independent Reading

    AR is in place at CTA-Freedom.  Although our emphasis is from grades 2 on up, K and 1 students who are reading independently are able to take advantage of the AR program of testing comprehension.  Personal goals are developed with the children with consideration to their reading rate and level.

    At all of the CTA schools, independent reading at home and in school is a requirement.  Students track their number of pages read throughout the term and are graded on their progress toward meeting the requirement.  Independent reading becomes a part of their overall Reading grade.  Students in grades 1 and 2 have a book requirement.

    Saxon Math

    The CTA schools follow an advanced curriculum at each grade level.  We use Saxon Math to teach, review and extend the students’ understanding of math concepts and to teach and strengthen arithmetic skills or fact knowledge. Saxon Math is structured to help students become more successful at math through structured, focused lessons.  Each lesson has built in fact practice, a review of the prior lesson, a review of earlier skills that need to be maintained, teaching of new material, guided practice on the new skill, and a homework assignment to practice new skills and maintain old ones.

    An important part of the CTA program is helping students to meet math fact mastery goals.  Being able to perform math facts efficiently and accurately is an integral component of a successful math program and is supported by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). 

    Students also use manipulatives to help them learn and develop math concepts.  Classrooms are equipped with age-appropriate materials ranging from teddy bear counters, to protractors, to clocks, scales and balances, yard and meter sticks, pattern blocks and the like.

     
     
    Glencoe Math by McGraw-Hill
     
    Glencoe math is the adopted curriculum for 5th and 6th grade. Since all students are working a year ahead at a CTA school, 5th grade completes the Course 1 program and 6th grade completes the Course 2 program. This program is aligned with the curriculum that is being taught at the junior high levels.
     
    Glencoe math is structured to help the students grasp an entire concept and understand each step of it before moving on to the next one. Students are not only challenged with practice problems to help them grasp the concept, but also with problems that show them how what they are learning is applied in to the real world. Glencoe math also aligns with the mathematical practices that students are learning to help them understand how to solve every type of math problem.
     
    Each lesson starts with a hands-on activity to introduce the lesson to the students. After working through the introduction, students learn the main topic of the lesson and are given examples. After going through examples of each problem, students try problems on their own to show their understanding of the lesson. After students complete the lesson, they are able to complete guided practice problems and then move on to independent practice. The independent practice allows the students to complete the problems independently, along with higher order thinking problems and a spiral review.
     

    Science

    CTA schools follow the same curriculum and use the same materials as all of the other Chandler schools.  Harcourt Science was implemented in 2006.  The science program is rooted in inquiry and exploration at all levels.  The series is designed to help student master the Arizona standards in Science.  An important part of the science program is participation in the school science fair held in January/February.  Students display individual, group, and class-produced projects at the fair.

    Special Subject Areas

    Students in K—6 have 2 physical education, 2 music, 1 library and 1 technology/computer classes during the school week.  CTA-Freedom also offers 5th and 6th graders band and orchestra.  Currently, these run for 45 minutes either before or after school.

    Student Activities

    CTA-Freedom offers a variety of clubs both before and after school. The list of clubs does vary somewhat each year.  Here are some of the offerings from past years:  Running Club, Battle of the Books Club, Chorus, and Student Council.

    Special Education

    CTA schools offer services similar to other Chandler Unified Schools.  We currently have a Resource Room for students with learning disabilities, speech and language therapy.