Ohio's Learning Standards can be found online through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Development. To find the standards that affect your child, select the topic of interest in the Learning Standards by Content Area of this page. Once on that subject page, you will find the Ohio Standards for that specific topic as a downloadable PDF.
Testing
MAP® testing is used to show what your child knows and the next steps in learning. Your child will take this test three times throughout the year, so be sure to visit the Testing & Assessment section of this page for more information about these assessments.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA)
Our ELA curriculum reflects the current emphasis on the Science of Reading and provides both the skill development needed for success in decoding words, and the experiences and strategies necessary for comprehending and interacting with connected text.
In our classrooms, we use Wit & Wisdom as our core English Language Arts curriculum. Unlike traditional textbooks that simply teach "reading skills" in isolation, Wit & Wisdom is a knowledge-building curriculum. This means students learn to read, write, and speak by exploring fascinating topics like marine biology, the American Revolution, space exploration, and Greek mythology.
We believe that the best way to become a strong reader is to read about the world.
What will my child be doing?
Instead of reading short passages from a generic textbook, your child will read authentic texts. These are real, award-winning novels, biographies, and picture books that you might find in a library or bookstore.
Throughout the year, students will dive deep into four distinct modules (topics), spending roughly 9 weeks on each. In every module, they will:
Read Complex Books: They will engage with texts that are slightly above their grade level to challenge their thinking and build resilience.
Analyze Art: Every module uses famous paintings and photography to teach students how to observe details—a critical skill for reading and writing.
Discuss Ideas: Students engage in "Socratic Seminars," which are student-led conversations where they practice listening, debating respectfully, and supporting their opinions with evidence.
Write with Purpose: Writing isn't separate from reading. Students write daily to explain what they’ve learned, compose narratives, or argue a point based on the texts they are reading.
Why do we choose this approach?
Research shows that when students have background knowledge on a topic, their reading comprehension soars. By sticking with one topic for several weeks, students become "experts" on that subject, which builds the confidence and vocabulary necessary to tackle complex reading and writing tasks.
How can I help at home?
Because Wit & Wisdom uses real books, you can follow along!
Ask about the topic: Instead of asking "What did you read today?", ask "What are you learning about [Current Topic, e.g., The Heart]?"
Read the "Family Tip Sheets": At the start of each module, we will send home a letter explaining the books we are reading and questions you can ask at the dinner table.
Be patient: This curriculum is rigorous. If your child says the reading is difficult, encourage them! We call this "productive struggle"—it’s how their brain grows stronger.
Follows the Ohio Learning Standards for Math using the Everyday Math curriculum.
What is Everyday Mathematics? Our district uses Everyday Mathematics (developed by the University of Chicago) as our core math curriculum for grades K–5. This is a research-based program designed to give students a deep, conceptual understanding of math, rather than just memorizing formulas they might forget later.
If you grew up learning math in a traditional way, Everyday Math might look a little different. It relies on a few core philosophies to help your child succeed.
The "Spiral" Approach (Distributed Practice) You might notice that your child works on fractions for a few days, moves to geometry, and then returns to fractions a few weeks later. This is intentional!
Traditional Math uses "massed practice" (learning one topic for a month and then moving on forever).
Everyday Math uses "distributed practice" (the Spiral). We introduce a concept, let it sink in, and then revisit it repeatedly throughout the year with increasing difficulty. This method is scientifically proven to help students retain information in their long-term memory.
Understanding "Why" Before "How" In the past, many of us were taught how to solve a problem (like "carrying the one") without understanding why it works. Everyday Math focuses on Number Sense.
We teach students multiple ways to solve a problem (like "Partial Sums" or "Lattice Multiplication").
Once students understand the concept of what the numbers are doing, they are introduced to the traditional shortcuts you are familiar with.
Math Games Over Drills Instead of endless worksheets of "drill and kill" problems, your child will frequently play math games like Top-It, Name That Number, or Fact Triangles. Research shows that games effectively build "Fact Power" (fluency) because they are engaging and encourage students to calculate quickly and accurately without the anxiety of a timed test.
How can I help at home? We know "New Math" can be intimidating. Here is how you can support your child:
Use the "Home Links": These are homework assignments specifically designed to be done with a parent. They often include a "Family Note" explaining the lesson.
Don't say "That's the wrong way": If your child is using a method you haven't seen before (like drawing a box to multiply), ask them to "Teach me how this works." This reinforces their learning and builds their confidence.
Play the games: If your child brings home a card game, play a few rounds with them! It’s the best way to practice facts without tears.
SCIENCE
Follows the Ohio Learning Standards for Science using:
