Our primary program is structured to meet the needs of students in kindergarten through third grades through direct instruction and a multi-sensory approach to learning. Instruction is based on the NC Standard Course of Study; teachers differentiate their instruction to meet the needs of their students. Primary students take the following classes: reading, English, math, language arts, science, social studies, and specialists.
Reading, English and Language Arts
Reading is taught using Wilson Reading System and Fundations, a method that teaches phonics using direct instruction. Students’ reading abilities are assessed at the beginning of the school year so that they may be placed into the appropriate reading class based on their academic needs. Writing is taught using a Writer’s Workshop approach. Teachers use a multisensory approach to teach parts of speech. Reading classes are kept at six students or smaller. Language arts classes focus on reading and listening comprehension with teacher read alouds and vocabulary activities. Language arts games are played to reinforce skills.
Math
Math is taught using a multi-sensory approach. Class begins with a review of previously taught skills through class discussion, dictation, and daily facts practice. Saxon Math is the primary text used, however, teachers use other materials when appropriate. There is a focus on learning math facts, and students are assigned flash cards each night to aid in their memorization. Hands-on activities are used whenever possible.
Specialists
The specialist rotation offerings vary from year to year but may include: PE, art, music, drama, creative movement and/or healthy living.
Science and Social Studies
Students rotate through science and social studies classes. The science and social studies curriculums have as their basis grades 1-3 curriculum from the NC Standard Course of Study.
Guidance
There are two guidance counselors at Noble Academy. Students are assigned to one counselor who is available for many different needs. The counselor meets with all students several times each semester as a class to cover the guidance curriculum. She is also available for one-on-one or small group counseling sessions. Please see the “Guidance” tab under the “Academics” menu for more information on our guidance program.
Technology
Primary students have many opportunities during the day to interact with technology. Each class is equipped with a SmartBoard, which presents many opportunities for student participation. The primary division also has a SmartTable, which is more accessible to the students due to its height and multi-touch ability. English classes frequently use the Neo2 wireless keyboards to compose stories and practice their keyboarding skills.
Other key features of our primary school are organization, ORB, the advisor/advisee relationship, and the Academic Plan.
Organization
Since disorganization often goes hand in hand with ADHD and other learning disabilities, we have many strategies to address this problem. Primary school students carry the “Perfect Notebook” to all of their classes. The Perfect Notebook is a strategy that is enforced across the board, as all teachers make sure that all handouts are hole-punched, and they leave time at the end of class for students to file their papers before leaving class. Another key part of the Perfect Notebook is the assignment book. At the end of each class, students are responsible for writing down their assignment. Teachers come to each student and initial that the assignment is written down correctly. At the end of the day, all students attend checkpoint, a seven-minute period with their advisor. The advisor’s job at checkpoint is to make sure that students have been signed off in each of their classes and that they have all the materials packed that they need to get their homework done.
Outside Reading Book (ORB)
Every night, students are assigned 15 minutes of ORB, during which time students read a book of their choosing. The rationale behind ORB is that the more exposure students get to text that they are interested in, the better readers they will become, with higher rates of fluency and increased vocabulary. Parents are encouraged to be involved with students’ ORB, by reading together and talking to their child about what they have read.
Advisor/Advisee
All students are placed into an advisee group for the year. In most cases, the advisor teaches his/her advisees in at least one other class. Students see their advisors at the beginning of the day and return to them at the end of the day for checkpoint. Since advisors see their students so many times during the day, they get to know them very well and can often identify and address global emotional and organizational needs. Advisors usually act as advocates for their advisees and are also often the teacher who is in closest contact with the family.
Academic Plan
Each student at Noble Academy has an Academic Plan. The Academic Plan includes a list of accommodations and modifications that we use at Noble Academy, the Steps to Academic Success that the team is focusing on for the year, and the student's most recent MAP score. Parent-teacher conferences are held twice per school year to review the Academic Plan, receive the updated MAP scores, and discuss the student's progress in each class.
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