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| HYDE PARK ELEMENTARY: Curriculum Overview |
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HYDE PARK ELEMENTARY ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Reading and Language Arts
Hyde Park Baptist Elementary School teaches reading with a strong phonetic approach to develop successful readers. High-level reading series from Houghton-Mifflin and Abeka publishing companies challenge our students to improve reading skills. Supplementary literature from multiple sources, including exciting classical novels and the Bible, keeps the student’s interest. Classical reading materials which provide a literature-based approach to teaching reading comprehension and writing are motivating to the students. Second through sixth grade students participate in a reading motivation program called Accelerated Reader. Students read a book which has been evaluated for reading level and point value and then take a comprehension test on the computer where they can earn points for recognition. Accelerated Reader has proven successful in enhancing the enjoyment of reading for students. Our fifth and sixth grade students compete annually in the National Language Arts League.
Spelling tests are given to the students weekly from our challenging Abeka spelling texts. Language skills are being taught to students using Harcourt Brace and Prentice-Hall text books. Students learn the parts of speech, grammar rules, and enjoy writing creatively. Our students are taught English objectives that prepare them for Pre-AP English in junior high school.
Handwriting skills stress correct letter formation. The research writing process is taught from rough drafts to the finished product and is enhanced by the use of the Internet. Creative writing lessons are also encouraged. Writing is taught in all subject areas, not only language arts and reading. The students enjoy writing which includes modes of writing, the writing process and writing across the curriculum. Competent writing begins with sentence structure, expands to paragraphs, and results in well-written essays, reports, letters, and general writing enjoyment. Students are taught to write for different purposes: to explain, to describe, to narrate, and to write letters and social notes. After they know the purpose of their writing, students are taught to organize their writing according to its purpose, to keep focused on the topic, to revise and edit their rough drafts, and to write a final paper. Students also study classic and contemporary literature selections, thus being exposed to a variety of excellent writers and their works.
Math
Hyde Park Baptist Elementary has a strong math program with challenging materials from ABEKA Publishing Company. The curriculum extends our students' higher level thinking and problem solving skills. Manipulatives are used to give hands-on experiences that lead naturally from the concrete to the abstract in problem solving. Students participate in speed drills and reviews. Our students’ achievement test scores in math have soared using this curriculum. Hyde Park Elementary students are taught math objectives to prepare them for Pre-AP math in junior high school. Sixth grade students compete in a national contest called Math Olympiad.
Bible and Character Education
Students have daily Bible study using the Bible as the textbook and a Christian School Curriculum. Students memorize Scripture weekly. Chapel services are scheduled with a special character trait highlighted each month. A Spiritual Emphasis Committee of parents and teachers lead special activities in conjunction with Christian holidays. Prayer is an important part of the school day. Students begin the day with prayer in their classrooms and pray together before lunch in the cafeteria. Teachers come together regularly each week to pray. A parent group meets weekly to lift our school in prayer. The students participate in mission projects in the Austin community, as well as the worldwide mission project Operation Christmas Child, which provides gifts to children in underprivileged countries through Franklin Graham's organization, Samaritan's Purse.
Hyde Park Baptist Elementary School incorporates the "Building Character" curriculum, published by Campus Crusade for Christ, into the Bible curriculum. This study emphasizes six basic character traits: Compassion, Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Initiative, and Forgiveness...all taught through a Christian world view.
Our school has in place an anti-bullying curriculum, "Steps to Respect," which defines what bullying is and what teachers and students can do about teasing and bullying behavior. Using respectful behavior toward classmates and others is expected from our students.
A spiritual time for the school family is conducted each week during Chapel services. Praise songs, special speakers, and participation by students enhance the Chapel services. Parents are always invited to join us for this time of worship and praise.
Social Studies
Geography, history, and economics are all a part of the Social Studies Curriculum, which is presented from a Christian point of view. Units of study in social studies encourage cooperative learning skills and emphasize the study of geography and map skills. Field trips related to the social studies curriculum are planned for every grade level. Current events are an important part of our social studies program at Hyde Park Baptist Elementary School. Our fifth and sixth grade students compete in the National Geography Bee, the National Social Studies League, and the National Geography Challenge.
Science and Health
Teachers have developed units of study in science in which higher level thinking skills and a hands-on approach for experiments are encouraged throughout. The hands-on approach is implemented by using activities and experiments that involve the students, including the use of micro-slide viewers, films, exhibits, labs, kits and field trips. The teachers in upper grades use mobile science labs for better viewing during hands-on science experiments. Teachers supplement with videos and laser discs, which help students explore and use the inquiry method of learning about scientific subjects, including earth, life and physical science. Fifth and sixth grade students participate in Science Olympiad, a day of competition between teams of students. Our sixth grade students participate in “Invent Austin”, a citywide event where students submit individual projects that the students have created to solve a problem. We frequently have a top city winner from Hyde Park Baptist Elementary School. Our school competes in the National Science League each year. We also offer an after-school science program for interested students.
The health curriculum concentrates on the teaching of elementary physiology and includes the use of curriculum emphasizing drug abuse prevention. With permission of parents, fifth and sixth grade students view Christian-produced human development films.
THE ELEMENTARY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
Computer
Students work in the computer lab weekly using grade level appropriate software programs, including Kid Pix, Power Point, Microsoft Excel, Publisher and Photo Editor. Keyboarding is a vital part of the upper grade classes. Research using the Internet is an integral part of the program. Every class prepares projects or presentations on the computer each semester which are entered into a portfolio. A cutting-edge PC Computer Lab is available at Hyde Park Baptist Elementary School. Each kindergarten through sixth grade homeroom and all special area classrooms have PC Computers in the classroom. Hyde Park Baptist Elementary is networked throughout the building and is on-line in the classrooms, computer lab and library with the Internet that links our school with extensive collections of educational resources. There are 27-inch TV’s and VCR’s in each classroom which can serve as computer monitors for whole-class computer teaching. In addition, the computer lab and each classroom have networking capabilities that enhance our Accelerated Reading Program and research opportunities with the use of the Internet. Our school uses blocking software to help prevent students from accidentally accessing inappropriate sites on the Internet. The students are able to access their class website called Edline.
Physical Education
An emphasis is placed on encouraging muscle endurance and ball handling skills through applied physical activity. Hyde Park's fifth and sixth grade students participate in the Austin Inter-Parochial League flag football, volleyball, basketball, track, golf, soccer, and tennis programs. All grades participate in the President's Fitness Program and other fitness incentives. The school year is concluded with Track and Field Day activities.
Music
Music is employed as a tool for communication, expression and worship. All students attend music classes on a regular basis. Listening and participating are skills learned through a variety of opportunities. These are experienced in class, in performing musical presentations, and on field trips within the community. Every student in the school participates in musical dramatic presentations each year. Our music teacher plans and leads the music in our weekly Chapel service. Classical studies of famous musicians are a part of our music curriculum. An after-school drama and music class called “King’s Cast” is offered for interested students. King’s Cast students perform in Chapel. Fourth, fifth and sixth grade students have a special choir that presents performances throughout the year. The Sixth Grade Choir joins the seventh through twelfth grade choirs for special performances.
EXCEL (Expanded Curriculum for Enriched Learning)
EXCEL classes are based on gifted and talented curriculum. The classes overtly teach "thinking skills" and include language arts and fine arts activities as well as the study of classical artists each year. Every student in our school attends these gifted and talented classes. The teachers in our school have been trained in using higher-level thinking strategies in the regular classroom also. Most teachers on the Hyde Park Baptist Elementary faculty have earned a gifted/talented certification which has provided us with teaching methods and strategies that fit the learning needs of most of Hyde Park's students. EXCEL students use DESTINATION IMAGINATION curriculum. The DESTINATION IMAGINATION School Program is an educational program that fosters creative thinking and problem-solving skills among participating students from kindergarten through college. It features an annual competition component at local through international levels. Students solve problems in a variety of areas – from building mechanical devices such as spring-driven vehicles to giving their own interpretation of literary classics. Through the DI program, students learn to work with others as a team, evaluating ideas, making decisions and creating solutions while also developing self-confidence from their experiences. Our DI students frequently win local competitions and advance to the state level. Our EXCEL teacher also offers after-school art classes for students who are interested.
Spanish
As we become world citizens, foreign language study and the ability to communicate is becoming more and more important to our students. Spanish classes are taught all or partially in the foreign language, attempting to give students listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills as well as cultural awareness. Learning is enhanced with Spanish workbooks, oral activities, games, music, scripture memorization, and skits. Spanish vocabulary words are sent home regularly in the Friday Folder, and parents are encouraged to review the new words with their students in order to reinforce learning.
Library
Library skills are taught at each grade level and students in grades 2-6 are required to participate in the Accelerated Reader Program, a computerized reading enhancement tool. Using a point system, recognition is given to individual students that earn the most points by reading required books and passing comprehension tests, which are taken on the computer. Our librarian also encourages students to enter the Texas Media Awards, and we usually have state winners each year in the categories of class video projects and photography. Our library is online with the Internet providing a vast amount of educational resources. Our library collection has a fully automated check out system, allowing students to look up books they want to check out on the computer instead of a card catalog. The librarian leads in our classical study of famous authors each year.
Integrated Classical Studies
Hyde Park Baptist Elementary School teachers lead research projects in Classical Studies at all grade levels. Each semester classical authors, artists, musicians, and literature are studied on a schoolwide basis.
Other Information
Please see GRADE LEVEL INFORMATION for more curriculum details, special events, and field trips specific to each grade level, as well as information on EXTRACURRICULAR and AFTER-SCHOOL CLASSES.
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