Elementary School

At ASB our fundamental goal in Language Arts is for students to develop a solid foundation in essential literacy skills and a true life-long passion for reading and writing. We offer a balanced literacy program which promotes reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Reading

Our balanced literacy approach to reading begins with a readers’ workshop model which comes from Columbia University’s Teachers College. The workshop approach begins with a specific mini lesson and then allows students time to deeply engage in reading books at their independent level while the classroom teacher focuses on small group instruction and one-on-one conferencing with students. Through detailed assessments and conferencing with students, teachers are able to help each student to become a more skilled reader. In the workshop model, resources such as classroom libraries, guided reading books and online reading resources are used in harmony with interactive teacher “read-alouds”, shared reading, word study, and guided reading lessons to help students improve their reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Teachers promote a love of reading in every child through exposing children to inspiring, interesting and thought-provoking literature from a variety of genres while guiding students to ask and answer deeper level questions about the texts they are reading. Our goal is for students to become independent and avid readers.

Writing

ASB uses Units of Study for Teaching Writing to guide our writer’s workshop lessons and unit plans. Students receive direct instruction in the form of a mini lesson where the teacher models a writing skill that many of the students are working on with guided practice in how to use the skill. Students are then given time to write, applying the skills and strategies they have learned to their own writing. Students then work through the stages of the writing process: generating ideas, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing different genres of texts. As students write, the teacher provides feedback through small group instruction and one-on-one conferences. Using the writer’s workshop model, teachers help students develop their skills and their voice as writers.

Speaking and Listening

Effective communication is a central focus throughout our elementary school. Students learn to speak confidently in front of small and large groups by having frequent opportunities to work collaboratively on small group reports, and to do presentations. Encouraging students to listen attentively and actively is also a goal that is promoted by teachers in every subject area.

The Math program encourages students to make real world connections which not only teach and reinforce math concepts but also demonstrate the importance of math in every day life. Computation and numeration skills are supported with opportunities for regular practice and review. Problem solving and reasoning skills are continually emphasized. Students are encouraged to explain their thinking and share their process of deduction when finding the solution to a problem. Manipulatives are used to help students link concrete experiences to pictorial representation and then to abstract symbols. Teachers use math games and technology to help make learning and practicing concepts fun and interactive. Extension activities are provided when more challenge is needed. 

Our math curriculum modules, aligned to the US Common Core Math standards, allow for an in-depth focus on fewer topics. They integrate rigorous classroom reasoning, extended classroom time devoted to practice and reflection and high expectations for mastery. When you walk into a classroom during math time, you will see kinds interacting with mathematics in a variety of ways using many strategies to solve a problem. Students learn to think critically, analyze their thinking and the thinking of others, and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways. Today’s mathematics curricula require children to demonstrate understanding and competence far beyond basic computational skills and you will see this demonstrated in our elementary classrooms.

Elementary students engage with at least four science units per year focused in the areas of life science, earth science, and physical science. Additionally, students in grades 2nd - 5th participate in a LEGO Robotics unit for the development of engineering skills. The pedagogy and lessons of our science program are based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).  We use an approach connecting hands-on experiences with reading, writing and inquiry. Building upon curiosity, exploration and experimentation, ASB students learn to observe, ask questions, test their theories and explain their findings following the scientific inquiry cycle.

The purpose of the Spanish curriculum at ASB is to develop the necessary literacy skills for effective oral and written communication. Students are developing reading, writing and speaking skills in Spanish which align to the skills and strategies they are learning in English. This knowledge is acquired through a variety of teaching methods that allow students to communicate effectively in Spanish. 

The ASB Catalan program allows Spanish students to meet requirements set out by the Generalitat de Catalunya. It gives all students the opportunity to learn the language and customs of our host society through a combination of communicative and content-based teaching methods and appreciation of the unique culture of Catalunya. Classes are offered 2-3 times per week. International children who have not yet mastered the Spanish language or who need English language support may be exempt from Catalan. Support in Catalan language (CLL) is also offered.

Social Studies is woven into our Spanish program as a part of sociales, as well as integrated into the language arts curriculum. Students read historical fiction and non fiction and discuss issues of local and international history, culture, government, and geography. Students learn in-depth about their school community, their local community and their global community through interactive projects, readings and field trips. Barcelona is a wonderful place to explore history, geography and cultures past and present. Students take field trips to explore their local community and participate in projects with the local government. Students can also participate in elementary student council elections. Our student council is responsible for being the voice of the student body as well as organizing spirit days, school events and fundraisers.

The elementary visual art curriculum is currently based on the NAEA standards. Students explore sequential hands-on learning experiences that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics and production. Art concepts are reinforced through projects based on the elements of art and principles of design. Children develop critical and creative thinking skills as they express themselves and experiment with varied media and techniques. The program strives to give each child the opportunity to develop a lifelong appreciation for art in general.  Students in 1st through 5th grade attend art once per week.

In Elementary School, students have access to a wide range of Performing Arts activities. Students have curriculum music lessons where their skills and knowledge are developed and extended. Students further develop performance skills on tuned and untuned percussion, ukuleles, recorders and voice and learn how to compose with increasing awareness of the musical elements. Students learn how to describe music using the correct vocabulary and place music within its culture, time or place. Students are assessed using the National Core Arts Standards. Grade 4 and 5 follow an instrumental curriculum, with every child learning to play an instrument in a band or in an orchestra. There are many times to perform throughout the year, with each grade having at least one "big" performance a year. Students have access to instrument lessons and a variety of Performing Arts after school clubs including the popular ES Musical Theater group, which perform two Musicals a year. ASB has developed many local and international links and students are able to watch live music and theater performances at the school. For more information, please visit our Performing Arts page.

An integrated technology program is offered to our elementary school students. We believe that the use of technology is fundamental in the education of our 21st century students. We seek to provide a seamless integration with curriculum by following the National Education Technology Standards and applying these in the various subject areas. Value is given to developing technology skills in authentic, inquiry or discovery based projects which allow students to communicate, create, research, and collaborate with peers near and far. We aim to put technology in the hands of the students and empower them to use it effectively for their studies and be creators of content. We see that every child’s device has the potential to be a studio, a library, a laboratory, and a publishing house. Scope and sequence of technology skills is tracked through our curriculum. To prepare students to be responsible digital citizens, the homeroom teachers, technology coordinator and counselor plan classes based on the Common Sense Media and Google’s Be Internet Awesome curriculum. 

We are currently implementing a 2:1 iPad program in grades 1-3, and a 1:1 program in the upper elementary, in grades 4 and 5. In addition, students also have access to use a chromebook if the task is better suited for a laptop.  We currently have 2 Chromebook carts available for students and teachers. We have high speed Wi-Fi connection throughout the facility. Software and subscription sites are purchased in consultation with the faculty and are reviewed annually. Our teachers have access to their own iPad and a Macbook for creating digital lessons. Each classroom is equipped for projection in order to enhance teaching and learning through the multi-media offered by multiple virtual resources.

Our physical education curriculum focuses on developing motor skills, promoting physical fitness and wellness, emphasize building a classroom community, sportsmanship, and creating a learning environment that allows every child to improve his/her level of success in sport. Students interact in a variety of interactive and collaborative games focusing on working together as well as developing fine and gross motor skills. Students learn the basic skills of many sports including volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, and soccer.  Students in 1st through 5th grade attend PE twice per week.

English Language Learning:

English Language Learning (ELL) Support services are provided for English learners with the goal being to move students from one English language proficiency level to the next. Students learn the social and academic language that will enable them to fully participate in their mainstream classrooms. ELL teachers work closely with their students in the classroom or in small groups outside the classroom to support listening, speaking, reading, and writing needs.

Spanish Language learning:

Spanish Language Learners (SLL) Support is provided for students whose first language is not Spanish. Lessons are taught in separate small classrooms and when appropriate in-class support is also provided. Children learn the social and academic language that will enable them to fully participate in school life.

Social Emotional Learning:

Children need to learn respect, empathy, responsible behavior, and other social and emotional competencies that help them succeed in school and life. Research shows that social and emotional skills, attitudes, and behaviors can be taught and fostered throughout the day. Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

SEL in the ES classroom takes shape in a variety of ways. It is promoted through explicit instruction provided by the ES Counselor (see Counseling Program description below), using an evidence-based program, Second Step, that covers the following areas: Skills for Learning; Empathy; Emotion Management; Problem-Solving; Bullying Prevention; and Child Protection. It is also integrated across classroom instruction and academic curriculum. SEL plays an important role in classroom climate—for example, how teachers build relationships with students, how students build relationships with each other, and how conflict and discipline are addressed.

Academic Learning Support:

At ASB we provide academic learning support for students in a variety of ways. We first meet as a student support team to review student assessment data  to identify students who could benefit from additional academic or behavioral support. Based on a response to intervention (RTI) model, we provide interventions for students in reading and provide consultation to teachers in implementing classroom based interventions for math, writing, attention, language and behavior. Specific to reading, we have specialists trained in the Orton-Gilligham approach who work closely with students with identified reading disabilities. We believe that all students have the potential to learn and that this happens at different rates for all children. We work as a team to provide students with the support they need to be successful inside and outside of the classroom.

Anchored in the framework of the American School Counseling Association’s (ASCA) National Model and the International School Counseling Association ́s (ISCA) International Model, it is multi-dimensional in scope, merging collaboration, consultation, leadership, and advocacy to provide comprehensive and developmentally appropriate services to all ES students and their families. The ASB counseling program seeks to prepare students to become active, compassionate, and responsible members of their school and community; cultivate a school culture of empathy and respect; and assist students in acquiring knowledge, skills, and awareness in the areas of academic, and personal/social development.

Services Provided 

The ES counseling program at ASB aims to provide services that are comprehensive, proactive, developmentally appropriate and collaborative. The school counselor works with students, parents, faculty, and community organizations to offer the following services: 

• SEL curriculum delivery: Developmental and comprehensive by design, the SEL curriculum is implemented at all grade levels and focuses on academic, social/emotional development (see SEL description above). 
• Individual student planning: The school counselor helps students set personal and academic goals, both individually and in small and large group formats. 
• Responsive services: The school counselor works to address the immediate needs of all students, including through individual counseling or in small group settings. As members of the Crisis Management Team, they collaborate with other school personnel to ensure the safety of students in crisis situations. 
• Indirect student services: The school counselor collaborates with school personnel, parents, community organizations and other stakeholders to help meet the needs of all students, including making referrals to outside agencies when students require additional assistance. also provide regular workshops for parents on a variety of developmentally relevant topics.