GUGCS will use a combination of direct skills instruction and exploration based projects to help its students achieve to their highest scholastic potential. Our morning literacy and math blocks will follow a standard, progressive model of education. Reading Reform Foundation will serve as our direct phonics instruction curriculum so that all of our students, from Kindergarten onward, are equipped with the fundamental tools to be successful readers. These skills will be put to great use with Reading A to Z, our primary reading curriculum, that exposes students to a multitude of texts, both fiction and non-fiction. Reading A to Z lets students read at their current reading level so they can practice critical reading strategies. As comprehension strengthens and readers become more confident, they move up reading levels so they are continually challenged.

A strong reading foundation is an excellent companion for a strong writing foundation. GUGCS will employ the Teacher’s College Writing Project to help students tell their stories with a clear and sincere voice. Students will maintain a portfolio of their work, to be showcased at Publishing Parties throughout the year.

Math Instruction will also take place in the morning, as research shows that elementary age children retain the most material from morning instruction. GUGCS will use Everyday Math as its primary math curriculum, with supplements from TERC Investigations and the Marilyn Burns Library.

GUGCS will use the EIC model, which invests students in an interdisciplinary, project-based curriculum, and provides rich context for skills learned in traditional lessons. Afternoons at GUGCS are known as “Explore and Discover” time. During “ED” time, students will work on projects that incorporate skills from all subjects. GUGCS teachers will design the projects, and they will ultimately meet NYS Social Studies standards. In meeting these standards, however, students will utilize their reading, writing, and conceptual math skills.

“ED” time is unique to GUGCS and it also where many our Green themes will emerge. Green means more than a respect for the environment and conscious conservationism. Green principles are those of sustainability, of creating a lifestyle or community that does not exceed usage of anything it cannot be responsible for. With help from our partner organization, Solar One, GUGCS “ED” time will demonstrate the importance of community with group work, class, and school wide shares and projects.

The Science Coordinator will deliver both hands and instructional science. Basic instruction will follow a traditional textbook model, but this will be in tandem with twice-weekly visits to the Science Lab. Students will learn through their experiences, actually witnessing the very phenomenon they learn about in class. Science is a powerful discipline and it is as important as reading and writing and GUGCS.