Arendell Parrot Academy

Academics for the first through fifth grader center on developing crucial language, math, science, and social studies skills.  The Open Court reading and language arts program integrates reading with spelling, grammar, vocabulary development, and composition.  Math goes beyond memorizing facts; it encompasses the more complex concepts of fractions, decimals, and percentages.  Student interest is maintained by constant acquisition of new skills through the use of creative manipulative activities and models.  Science, too, stresses the "hands on" interactive approach, with students designing, participating in, and evaluating simple experiments.  Social studies classes move from an understanding of the community and state to the nation and the world at large.  Core studies are enhanced through supplemental instructional services.  Classes in music, art, computer, science, library skills, and physical education broaden each child's total development.

Language skills, to include reading, handwriting, spelling, and composition, are developed through the Open Court Program.  This program emphasizes phonics, comprehension, and independent study.  Language skills are further enhanced through the use of several supplemental programs.  Each grade level has a comprehensive outside reading program.  In addition, the Accelerated Reader Program is used for independent study.  This is a computerized, multilevel program that is highly motivational and that allows students to progress at their own speed.  A supplemental vocabulary program is introduced with the use of the Wordly Wise workbook.  For further enrichment, students participate in a multilevel program of reading, grammar, and spelling through the use of the SRA Reading Laboratory.

Handwriting in manuscript is further developed in the first and second grades while cursive is introduced and mastered in the third grade.

Math skills are developed in numerous areas and then reviewed and taken to a higher level of sophistication at each grade level.  Some of these areas are; addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; money, time, and calendar problems; measurement in both the metric and English systems; geometry; fractions; collecting and recording data; use of charts and graphs; statistics; and probability.  Problem solving skills and reasoning are emphasized through the use of word problems.

Science skills are developed in three major areas - life science, earth science, and physical science.  Basic concepts are introduced in primary grades and increase in complexity through the elementary years.  Areas of study in life science include plants (from plant parts to photosynthesis), animals (which begins with animal classification and habitats and extends to animal behavior and adaptation), and the human body (to include its needs and functions).  Earth science is initiated with the study of rocks and land forms and is followed by the study of oceans and marine life.   Dinosaurs and fossils are introduced as a means of learning about the past to understand the present.  Physical science studies range from such diverse topics as magnetism and simple machines in the first grade to motion and energy in the fifth grade.  Observing, classifying, inferring, predicting, and experimenting are integrated into the learning process through guided instruction, cooperative learning activities, and hands-on labs.

Social studies skills begin with the study of self, family, local community and holidays and advance to the study of the history and the geography of North Carolina and the United States.  Grades one through three draw from the Open Court Program as it addresses factual reports and map skills, and stories about people, national events, multicultural families, and global communities.  In grades four and five students learn to use the atlas, almanac, reference materials, and biographical dictionaries, and to focus on current events with newspaper and Scholastic News.  Field trips enrich the social studies curriculum.

Core studies are enhanced through supplemental instruction.  Weekly resource classes in music, art, computer lab, science lab, and library broaden the scope of student education.  In addition, free play and physical education programs contribute to the total well-being and development of each child.  The Orff-Schulwerk approach to teaching music is used in lower grades.  Children are taught to create and to internalize music through singing, drama, movement, improvisation, and composition with the use of a collection of international instruments.  Students may study the violin, cello, and viola by the Suzuki method through fifth grade. Musical productions are given each year.   Students visit the computer lab for instruction in keyboarding, word processing, and higher level computer skills.  In science lab students find solutions to real life problems.  It is a discovery approach that teaches critical thinking skills.  Exploration, hands-on activities and cooperative learning, as well as open-ended questions encourage investigation and produce solutions.  Art at each grade level allows for self-expression and culminates with a school-wide art show at the end of the school year.  Weekly visits to the library promote a love of reading and give students an opportunity to check out books for home reading.  Library skills are taught in grades three through five.  The physical education program through free play and organized activities emphasizes fair play, social skills, fitness, coordination and the development of gross motor skills.  Overall physical performance is assessed through a program called Physical Best.