Academics

Literacy

At Tunbridge PCS, we want our students to become confident readers and writers.  Our goal is to demystify the art of making meaning from texts and to empower students with the strength of words. To this end, our literacy curriculum will not only include Reader’s Workshop and Writer’s Workshop but will also feature components to develop speaking, listening, and viewing skills so students will learn to participate artfully in conversation, give effective and engaging presentations, and become critical consumers of media.   Although Reader’s Workshop and Writer’s Workshop will occur in distinct class periods, literacy is at the heart of all subjects, thereby strengthening exposure and fluency to a variety of texts and purposes of reading.  At Tunbridge, every teacher is a literacy teacher.

Mathematics

Instructional Delivery
Key elements  of math instruction based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) standards:

• Fewer skills are taught with deeper intensity allowing for a more intense focus on understanding and an aim for students to develop a deep conceptual grasp of mathematical concepts.
• An understanding of the connections between math concepts as opposed to learning and memorizing skills in isolation is essential.
• Emphasis on problem solving and reasoning skills, requiring students to focus on the process versus just simply getting the answer.
• Solving problems in real-world contexts and applying mathematical knowledge to actual math problems within our daily lives.
• Student practice in providing a viable argument and proof, as well as, determining if another strategy would work, including why or why not.

Learning Environment

• Flexible desk arrangements to allow transition among large group, small group and independent activities
• Student work displayed
• Manipulatives readily available and used – much more time is spent exploring with manipulatives, creating visual representations as a form of evidence to support students’ thinking, and engaging in quality talk to explain multiple ways of solving problems and the justification why certain methods work and others do not.
• Assessments – students will be assessed through teacher observation rubrics, math journals, concept assessments, and unit assessments. The types of questions on assessments will require more reasoning and critical thinking, as compared to demonstrating a process or the standard algorithm.
• Expectations for homework – focus on more real-world applications, engaging in conversation about math, and projects that involve hands-on learning

Science & Social Studies

Teaching of these content areas at Tunbridge will help students to understand the past while preparing for the future. Instruction will provide students with opportunities to investigate real-world issues; then based on their gained understandings, create plans and make choices. Becoming active members of their communities is a goal of the content instruction at Tunbridge.

The Arts

Experiences with The Arts are a key way to extend student thinking about staying active and fit while incorporating content knowledge including Literacy and Math.  Within the Tunbridge school year, students may participate in Dance, Rhythmic Movement & Song, Demonstrated & Visual Art, or Performing Art & Screenwriting.