Traditional Education

Our Grade School Philosophy

Abilgail Adams
John Adams
traditional elementary school educatio
Woodrow Wilson
Abraham Lincoln traditional elementary school

OUR APPROACH

Overall Philosophy

Adams Traditional Academy is an accredited public charter school located in north Phoenix. ATA provides a better choice for families to help their children excel during their grade school years. A child’s success in high school and college is directly related to the foundation of his/her education. 

ATA provides curriculum and education objectives that go beyond the state standards. The curriculum is presented in a teacher-led, whole-classroom, direct instruction approach that inspires individual learning.

We utilize the Core Knowledge Scope and Sequence in addition to the Spalding Integrated Language Arts, Singapore Math, Open Court Reading, Excellence in Writing and Latin programs. We also provide a strong science lab component in order to develop well-rounded, competent grade school students.  

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The Excitement of Learning at Adams Traditional Academy

Keys to Academic Success

Charter Grade School

Personal Responsibility

Because of the high academic standards at Adams Traditional Academy, personal accountability and responsibility is a focus for all grade levels. Regular testing, assignment grading and long-term reports and projects are required so students may grow academically and in self-esteem. These items are also used to determine intervention needs at the individual level. Homework is integral for student success. Regular review and reinforcement of classroom instruction is vital for drill and practice.

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Good Citizenship

Good citizenship involves respecting the staff and the other students at school. We have high behavioral standards. Being respectful of teachers, staff and other students is key to learning to be a good citizen. Arriving to class on time and striving to have consistent attendance teaches responsibility and accountability that are essential to success in college and career. The grade school years are formative and will be the students’ foundation for higher learning and leadership.

ADAMS TRADITIONAL ACADEMY CURRICULUM

TRADITIONAL EDUCATION

PENMANSHIP

Both manuscript and cursive penmanship is taught. Why is this important? There are many cognitive benefits to learning good penmanship. Some of the benefits are that handwriting helps with memory, improves expression, and supports fine motor skill development.

Research illustrates that learning handwriting as early as preschool is better than learning letters on the computer.  Handwriting in print—not keyboarding—leads to adult-like neural processing in the visual system of the preschool child’s developing reading brain (Stevenson & Just, 2014). In one study, researchers found gray matter volume and density correlating with higher handwriting quality, which signals more efficient neural processing and higher skills and ability (Gimenez et al., 2014). Furthermore, when older students lack fluency in their writing, composition skills suffer along with self-esteem, grades, and test scores 

MATH

Singapore Math is enriched with additional practice of basic math facts. Math is taught with an emphasis on facts and concept application.  A traditional approach to math is based on direct instruction of a standard method of performing a function, and in a standard sequence.   This method enhances students' logical thinking processes.

Singapore math programs raise U.S. student performance on standardized and state assessments.  Singapore Math focuses on mastery, which is achieved through intentional sequencing of concepts. Students learn to think mathematically and rely on the depth of knowledge gained in previous lessons.

An attitude that math is important and approachable is also essential. Students perform at a higher level when their potential for understanding and success is assumed.

READING

We use the Spalding Language Arts Program which is phonics based. Students learn to read correctly by teaching individual sounds and phonograms.  As a result, students will be able to decipher new words independently as opposed to memorizing what words look like.  Proper phonologic process increases language fluency and comprehension.

Reading instruction begins with decoding and fluency.  It incorporates comprehension even at the lower grades by exploring quality classical literature.  Requirements for reading pages and book reports will spiral* through the grades.  Students will also develop an increased ability to think critically. The ability to analyze and critique literature will become increasingly more important as the student progresses through the grade levels.

SPELLING

Spelling, the art of correctly assembling words from their letters, is one of the essential components of successful writing. Being confident at spelling leads to confidence in all aspects of literacy.
Spelling, reading, writing and comprehension skills are all closely linked. Effective spelling instruction improves reading ability, building knowledge of the alphabetic system.

LATIN

Latin is foundational in various subjects such as foreign languages, science, music, art, vocabulary, grammar and spelling. Learning Latin in the lower grade levels improves students’ performance, understanding and demonstration of the English language and facilitates the learning of other languages such as Spanish in the higher-grade levels.  Latin has also been shown to improve academic performance in other subject areas as well.

HISTORY
& GEOGRAPHY

History is taught starting from kindergarten. It is presented in a student-friendly format to ensure comprehensive knowledge of both the world and the United States, and how the two relate to each other. Geography is taught in conjunction with history. Both the Economics of Government and personal spending are taught in line with national standards, utilizing age appropriate curriculum.

 

MUSIC & ART

Music and art are an essential part of the learning process. Research has shown that music and art stimulate the right brain. This stimulation enhances the learning process for all students.

Art displays, music productions, memory pieces of prose and poetry and public presentation skills will be required.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical education (with recess!) is important. There is a growing body of research that demonstrates that “positive associations exist between physical activity, cognition, and academic performance in children and adolescents."

Physical education classes introduce a variety of sports with their history, rules, application, and sportsmanship. P.E. includes a personal fitness and health component.

SCIENCE

Hands-on, exploratory technology and science are vital to the implementation of the full-scope of learning to create a well-rounded child. Science is taught starting from kindergarten.  Science Lab methodologies and concepts are reinforced with a strong laboratory component, supported by additional expertise within a laboratory rotation.

Special Education – Students with special education needs receive high quality support and instruction.  At Adams Traditional Academy, our special needs support meets or exceeds all state standards.

Current Events – We are training students to be leaders in future generations. We want them to learn to think critically about the world around them.  As such, current events are included in all curriculum areas as appropriate.