The curriculum in Milwaukee Public Schools is based on the Common Core State Standards. The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce.
The standards are informed by the highest, most effective models from states across the country and countries around the world, and provide teachers and parents with a common understanding of what students are expected to learn. Consistent standards will provide appropriate benchmarks for all students, regardless of where they live.
These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs. The standards:
- Are aligned with college and work expectations;
- Are clear, understandable and consistent;
- Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills;
- Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards;
- Are informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society; and
- Are evidence-based.
Library/Media Center
All scholars, staff and families are encouraged to use the Carver Library/Media Center to locate, gather and retrieve information by using our computers or browsing our extensive collection of reading materials.
Language Arts/Writing
Scholars write across the curriculum using a variety of formats and genres. Children’s literature, mentor text, Write Source, and MY Access engage and support scholars in the writing process. School wide monthly writing prompts allow for data collection, examination, planning and feedback to move scholars to the next level. The Learning Team and Professional Learning Communities use the data to make decisions about staff development.
Reading
Scholars learn to read across the curriculum using 21st Century skills and Common Core State Standards. Through explicit instruction and rigorous tasks, foundational skills of reading are mastered and a higher level of thinking is attained. Scholars engage in 90 minutes of uninterrupted reading instruction which includes whole group, small group, and workstation instruction. Carver Academy is committed to improving all scholars reading abilities. Targeted scholars receive additional support using online and individual/small group teacher intervention.
Mathematics
Scholars at Carver Academy have a daily 60 minute block of Math instruction. In addition, scholars engage in the daily Math Board activity for review of important skills across all domains. Scholars in grades K5-5 use the Math Expressions textbook series. Middle school Scholars in grades 6-8 use Glencoe Math Applications. Scholars in need of Tier 2 (RTI) interventions receive licenses for ST Math, an online math program.
Carver Academy is committed to implementing the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
The Common Core Standards were designed around 3 principles: Focus, Coherence, and Understanding. Focus provides the opportunity to study unifying themes critical to grade levels and guidance on “ways of knowing” the mathematics Coherence is developed through Progressions within grade levels and across grade bands based on the development of mathematical ideas and student learning. The end goal of both of these principles is a deep genuine Understanding of mathematics and ability to use mathematical knowledge in real-world situations. The Standards were designed this way to support the development of critical mathematic ideas within and across grade levels.
Scholars will be engaged during the 60-minute math block each day using the “LESA model” of instruction in accordance with the MPS Comprehensive Math and Science Plan. LESA stands for Launch, Explore, Summarize and Apply. Math classes at Carver are active and hands on learning experiences with the teacher acting as a facilitator to question scholars and help develop their thinking.
Science
The Science curriculum integrates skills and content that excels scholars in their Mathematical and Scientific thinking. Scholars are encouraged to ask and answer questions using scientific methods and vocabulary. Hands on activities/experiments spark the interest in our scholars to pursue STEM careers.
Social Studies
The Social Studies program includes five areas of study: Geography, History, Civics, Economics and Behavioral Sciences. Throughout their time at Carver, scholars explore how families and social studies are related, learn about diversity in neighborhoods and discuss the connection between the larger world and their lives in Milwaukee. By focusing on states and regions, scholars learn to identify differences in groups. They spend a good deal of time studying the United States, with additional time spent learning about ancient, medieval and modern civilizations.
Physical Education
The overall goal of Physical Education in K4 through Grade 8 is to develop the importance of physical activity. Regular physical activity and physical fitness are associated with higher levels of academic performance, and physical activity is beneficial to general cognitive functioning. At Carver, scholars are encouraged to develop an interest in physical activity at an early age. As children grow and increase their athletic abilities, physical education teaches them not only how to participate in both team and individual sports, but how to build lifelong healthy habits so that as individuals enter their adult years they will continue to enjoy being physically active and will derive all of the benefits- physical, emotional, and social- that come to those who have been physically active throughout their lifetimes. Physical Education classes encourage them to meet new physical challenges. Scholars learn good sportsmanship and develop their personal skills in both individual and cooperative activities.
Art
The Carver staff believes that art education is as essential to the basic education of all children as Reading, Writing and Mathematics. As an area of study, art education covers understanding how things are presented visually, knowing what makes beautiful art and creative problem solving. In their early years, scholars learn simple words to describe art and practice working with different materials. As they develop more skills, scholars explore different types of art and learn about artistic design. Through experiments with perspective and a variety of art projects, scholars deepen their understanding of the role art plays in society today.
Health
Health education in K5 through 8th Grade includes both a personal and community approach to health care. At Carver, scholars explore health and safety topics and connect their own actions and health habits with others in the community, analyzing messages the community gives and receives about health. They also learn how diseases can be passed from one person to the next. As scholars progress in school, they learn the importance of healthy relationships and self-respect.
Music
Carver Academy’s Music Program offers the opportunity for scholars to participate in wind instrument lessons as well as piano and drum lessons.