The Cass Street School curriculum is based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The Common Core State Standards are a clear set of shared goals and expectations for the knowledge and skills students need in English language arts and mathematics at each grade level so they can be prepared to succeed in college, career, and life. The staff at Cass St. School guides students on their paths to becoming independent, confident learners with strong, real-world skills and critical thinking skills.
Language Arts/Writing
The Language Arts/Writing curriculum at Cass St. School allows children to express themselves using spoken and written language. Instruction aims to improve listening and verbal communication and research skills. Students are given opportunities to write in a variety of genres and on a wide range of topics, practicing skills that are going to be necessary as they progress through school and enter the real world. This includes an emphasis on informational writing.
Reading
Cass St. School’s Reading Program turns young learners into critical readers. PreK-2nd grade uses CKLA, a program that focuses on teaching students specific foundational skills needed to become independent readers, combined with vocabulary rich literature and nonfiction text. Cass St. School teachers focus on guiding children to use reading materials and other resources as sources of information. By using new reading strategies to unlock the meaning of text, students analyze and interpret information, constantly making connections between what is read and what is real life. In their later years, students are able to evaluate a variety of texts, learning to be critical readers by analyzing sources of information for accuracy and value.
As Reading and Writing is integrated with the content areas, science, social studies and health, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate independence.
- Build strong content knowledge.
- Respond to the varying demands of audience, task, purpose, and discipline.
- Comprehend as well as critique.
- Value evidence.
- Use technology and digital media strategically and capably.
- Come to understand other perspectives and cultures
Math
Students at Cass St. School receive Mathematics instruction daily in 60-minute blocks using the Engage NY model. Basic math instruction teaches students to identify shapes, recognize patterns, practice addition and subtraction, and interpret data. Once these concepts are mastered, children learn multiplication and division. After expanding their understanding of the basic math processes, students work with fractions and decimals while studying geometry, algebra and data interpretation. Eventually, students use mathematical processes and data to solve complex problems and predict results. By the time they enter high school, students graduate from Cass St. School with a strong mathematics background. They are able to reason and draw conclusions and have explored many areas of mathematics. Students justify their strategies using appropriate mathematical terms as they prepare for higher level mathematics. Throughout the grades, students regularly use these 8 math practices:
- Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
- Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
- Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
- Model with mathematics.
- Use appropriate tools strategically.
- Attend to precision.
- Look for and make use of structure.
- Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
Science
Cass St. School students conduct scientific investigations using a variety of useful tools and ask and answer questions using scientific methods and vocabulary. In their younger years, students observe the world around them, learning where they fit into the natural world. As they grow, scientific exploration leads to a deeper understanding of research-based principles. By continuing to observe and interpreting what they see, students group and classify living and non-living things. Older students learn basic facts that provide a strong foundation for in-depth study of particular areas of science. Students focus on different themes, continuing to gather information that will help them in high school. Through experimentation and reading, students learn to evaluate scientific ideas and apply facts to better understand scientific processes.
Social Studies
Social Studies at Cass St. School includes five areas of study: Geography, History, Civics, Economics and Behavioral Sciences. Young learners explore how families and social studies are related while studying diversity in neighborhoods. Students eventually begin to learn about the larger world and connect it to their lives in the greater Milwaukee area. Teachers encourage class discussions and always keep their students up to date on current events. By focusing on both historical facts and current events within the United States, students develop their own opinions and become responsible, active citizens. Before they graduate, students also study ancient and medieval civilizations as well as the modern world.
Physical Education
Physical Education (P.E.) classes help all Cass St. School students to develop an awareness of the importance of physical activity. As children grow and increase their physical abilities, P.E. teaches them not only how to participate in physical activities within groups, but to develop lifelong interest in staying physically fit. During P.E. classes, students meet new physical challenges, learn good sportsmanship and improve their individual and team skills.
Art
At Cass St. School, art education is as essential to the basic education of all children as the core academic subjects. As an area of study, art education helps students understand how things are presented visually, what makes beautiful art and how to think creatively. Young students learn new words to describe art and work with different artistic media and materials. As they grow, students explore different types of art, develop new skills using art materials and learn about visual design and famous artists. Once they are comfortable, students experiment with perspectives from which art is created and viewed. In Grades 6-8, students complete a variety of art projects using different materials and deepen their understanding of the role art plays in society.
Health
Health education at Cass St. School includes both a personal and community approach to health care. Students learn basic safety lessons and health topics while building awareness of their own actions and health habits with others in the community. By analyzing messages the community gives and receives about health, students become much more aware of their surroundings. Eventually, students focus on the importance of healthy relationships and self-respect. A community service project requires students to reach out to the city of Milwaukee and give back.
Music
Music education at Cass St. School provides children with musical understanding at a beginning to intermediate level. Children are encouraged to increase their understanding of music and arts and to appreciate musical performances. By working with different songs, students learn basic music notation. They explore different instruments as they acquire knowledge about rhythm, melody and harmony. By the middle grades, many students can read basic music, play instruments and identify different musical styles and elements.
Technology
Cass St. School students receive high-end technology instruction. With three computer labs, school-wide wireless access, Chromebooks, laptops, and desktop computers in every classroom, students have the opportunity to become familiar with different computer software and programs. Through media projects and educational software programs, technology enhances academic instruction at Cass St. School. Students are prepared for success in a globally-connected world.