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Elmont Union Free School District

Cultivating Scholars and Global Citizens

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Curriculum and Instruction

Curriculum and Instruction

Robert Cavaliere - Interim Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Address: 135 Elmont Road, Elmont, NY 11003
Phone: (516) 326-5500 ext. 42022
Fax: (516) 355-2244

New York State Educational Resources

  • A group of six women, identified as Instructional Coaches, pose for a photo.

    Carroll Anne Lombino
    Carroll Anne Lombino received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Manhattan College and her Master's Degree in Literacy from Adelphi University.  Mrs. Lombino has been teaching in the Elmont School District since 2007.  Mrs. Lombino began her teaching career in 4th grade, followed by 6th grade and finally as a reading (AIS) teacher in 5th Grade.  Mrs. Lombino is proud to have called Clara H. Carlson home for many years and is extremely honored to be serving as an Instructional Coach for a second year.  Mrs. Lombino specializes in working with teachers in the area of literacy, most specifically our Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI) Program for AIS/Reading Teachers and our Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading Program for Classroom Teachers.  These two programs, along with the dedication of our teachers, have worked wonders for the young readers in Elmont.

     

    Gina Colica
    Gina Colica grew up in the Elmont Community. Mrs. Colica graduated from Clara H. Carlson in 1984 and from Sewanhaka High School in 1990. Mrs. Colica went on to receive her Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Adelphi University.  After 5 years of teaching in Queens, Mrs. Colica returned to the Elmont Community in 2000 and began teaching 1st grade at Alden Terrace. After 27 years in the classroom, Mrs. Colica transitioned to one of Elmont’s Instructional Coaches. As a Coach, Mrs. Colica has been collaborating with the teachers of Elmont to help meet and exceed expectations of the new district initiatives. Mrs. Colica works primarily with the Pre-K to 2nd grade teachers in literacy, focusing on the Wilson Fundations and Fountas & Pinnell Interactive Read Aloud programs. Mrs. Colica is looking forward to another successful school year!

     

    Kate DeRuvo
    Kate DeRuvo has been a part of the Elmont Union Free School District for the last 12 years.  Mrs. DeRuvo received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Cortland and her Master's Degree in Literacy from CUNY Queens.  Mrs. DeRuvo completed her student teaching experience at the Clara H. Carlson School and was fortunate enough to work as a 1st grade teacher at Clara H. Carlson for ten years.  Mrs. DeRuvo likes to consider herself “Elmont Made.”  As an Instructional Coach, Mrs. DeRuvo's passion is to support and guide the primary teachers within the district, especially with our Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading and the Wilson Fundations programs.

     

    Rose Foster
    Rose Foster holds a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in Childhood Education, as well as a second Master's Degree in Literacy  from Adelphi University.  Mrs. Foster has been a Literacy Specialist in the Elmont school district since 2005.  During her tenure, Mrs. Foster has worked as an AIS teacher at Clara H. Carlson and Stewart Manor Schools.  Most recently, she was appointed as a district-wide Instructional Coach.   As an Instructional Coach, Mrs. Foster has been assisting classroom teachers with implementing the Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading program and AIS teachers with implementing Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI).  Mrs. Foster has a passion not only for educating students but also for guiding other educators to grow their instructional capacity and skill.

     

    Elissa Racioppo
    Elissa Racioppo, affectionally known as “Raz,” has 25 years of passion and experience as an elementary school educator. Mrs. Racioppo received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Reading from Adelphi University. Mrs. Racioppo started her teaching career at PS 160Q, then joined the Elmont community in 2001. Mrs. Racioppo taught 4th and 6th grade at the Clara H. Carlson School. Now, Mrs. Racioppo is a devoted mentor to other teachers as one of Elmont’s Instructional Coaches. As an Instructional Coach, Mrs. Racioppo will use her expertise in small group instruction to support our upper-grade teachers as they implement small group math instruction and our Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading Program.  Throughout her career, Mrs. Racioppo has served the district of Elmont with loyalty and love.

     

    Maribel Hernandez
    Maribel Hernandez is beginning her 23rd year in education.  Mrs. Hernandez received her Bachelor's Degree in Education from CUNY Baruch College and her Master's Degree from Touro College.  Mrs. Hernandez's career began in Queens, where she taught 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade.  In 2006, Mrs. Hernandez began working at Clara H. Carlson as a 5th grade teacher and shortly after transitioned to 6th grade.  Mrs. Hernandez specializes in teaching math and will use those skills to help teachers across the district implement small group instruction.  As a Coach, she plans on helping teachers develop innovative instructional strategies for students across the district.

  • English Language Arts

    Wilson Fundations (Pre-K-2)
    Students in grades Pre-K-2 receive a systematic program in critical foundational skills, emphasizing, phonemic awareness, Phonics/ word study, High frequency word study, Handwriting and spelling. The instruction aligns with states’ rigorous college- and career-ready standards. Wilson Fundations serves as a prevention program to help reduce reading and spelling failure. It is integral to a Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) or Response to Intervention (RTI) framework, providing research-based instruction in Tier 1 as well as early intervention (Tier 2) for students at risk for reading difficulties. Click here to visit the official Wilson Fundation website.

     

    F&P Reading and Writing Minilessons (K-2)
    Reading and Writing Minilessons are short, concise, explicit inquiry-based whole-group lessons about a principal that students can apply in their independent reading and writing.   Our primary grade teachers are being trained to utilize this resource as a part of our Balance Literacy approach to English Language Arts (ELA) instruction.  Teachers engage students in inquiry that leads to the discovery of the general principals of reading and writing.  In turn, teachers are expanding and refining our children's writing and reading powers.  

     

    F&P Interactive Read Aloud (K-6)
    F&P Interactive Read Aloud program exposes students with text sets that reflect a global perspective with a diversity of characters, settings, and topics. The texts has been carefully curated around a connecting idea, central theme, or study of a particular author, illustrator, or genre. During interactive read-aloud, the teacher reads aloud a selected text to children, occasionally pausing for conversation. The texts are beyond the instructional reading level of most children. The children are listening to the text and viewing the illustrations. The text-based discussion helps children to construct meaning and make connections between books in the text set. Additionally, F&P Interactive Read-Aloud promotes the joy of reading, expands children’s vocabulary, and increases their ability to think, talk, and write about texts that fully engage their interest.

     

    ReadyGEN (grades 1-5)
    A comprehensive ELA curriculum aligned to the complexity requirements of Common Core Standards. At the heart of ReadyGEN is an exchange between reading and writing to promote student thinking and understanding through citation and text-based evidence. Students are expected to analyze and synthesize sources, write to sources, and defend claims.

    ReadyGEN is organized into unit modules containing Text Sets aligned to the Essential Question and Enduring Understandings of each unit. Text Sets contain authentic pieces of literary and informational trade books. Texts are designed to build core knowledge for sustained periods of time. Embedded support at point-of-use allows all students – ELLs, struggling readers, and accelerated learners – to successfully participate. Additionally, Academic Specialists provided guidance through supplementary support materials.

    The ReadyGEN Program features:

    • 12 Full-Length Authentic Trade Books for every student.
    • LEVELED TEXT COLLECTION: A collection of topic-related texts spanning multiple genres
    • SLEUTH – A magazine style reader of short texts to develop close reading strategies.
    • a comprehensive student assessment system featuring:
      • Baseline Assessment to determine students’ instructional needs in foundational skills, comprehension, vocabulary, and writing.
      • Regular Formative Assessments to measure student reading, vocabulary analysis and writing progress to adjust instruction.
      • Performance-Based Assessments embedded in each unit to measure students’ core understandings in integrating reading, writing, speaking and listening.
      • Summative, End-of-Unit Assessments are designed to measure mastery of the Common Core Standards.

     

    Pearson: Common Core Literature (grade 6)
    Pearson: Common Core Literature Edition motivates students to use critical thinking, enhance language, and cognitive development. The program features five units of quality-complex text. Each unit begins with The Big Question. Text selections take students beyond their own lives, broadening their backgrounds, enabling students to grow in understanding. Such affective responses to literature provide opportunities for students to become personally involved in reading and learning. Each PCCL Unit emphasizes a Four-Part Instructional Model to respond to The Big Question:

    • PART 1: SETTING EXPECTATIONS - The Big Question is introduced and provides a central focus for gathering evidence and information through a variety of genres. Close Reading is applied. Academic Vocabulary in text selections prepare students for the challenge of college and careers.
    • PART 2: TEXT ANALYSIS: The students focus on a specific genre focus. Specific skills are developed and implemented through direct instruction.
    • PART 3: TEXT SET: DEVELOPING INSIGHT - The emphasis is about answering The Big Question using content knowledge through comparing multi-genre Text Sets. Students are given the opportunity to encounter complex texts that mirror college textbooks and workplace documents.
    • PART 4: DEMONSTRATING INDEPENDENCE – Students read extended texts independently to apply what they have learned. Teachers pre-plan with students. Online Student e Textsets enable students to build stamina as they practice reading.

    PCCL student assessments:

    • Regular Formative Assessments measures student reading, vocabulary analysis and writing progress to adjust instruction.
    • Summative, End-of-Unit Assessments measures students’ mastery of the Common Core Standards.

     

    Science

    Project Based Learning with a Focus on Literacy Through Science A-Z
    The Elmont Union Free School District has taken a hands-on approach to science education. Our scholars will learn science by “doing science” through project-based learning (PBL) units aligned to key “phenomena” in the New York State Science Learning Standards (New York’s version of the Next Generation Science Standards). Each PBL unit incorporates content from across the core sciences (Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering), incorporates cross-cutting concepts, and key engineering skills that will promote higher-order thinking and a world view toward sustainability. Additionally, each unit of study is built on a foundation of literacy instruction through high-quality material from Science A-Z, a component of our Reading A-Z program.

     

    Social Studies

    Integrated Social Studies/ELA Curriculum (K-6)
    The Integrated Social Studies/ELA Curriculum is based on the New York State Social Studies Framework adopted by the Board of Regents in 2014, integrates the Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards, and uses an Understanding by Design (UBD) template. Each grade level contains complete lessons for informational texts, technology links, and a C3 inquiry.

     

    Mathematics

    Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: GO MATH! (grades K-6)
    Harcourt: GO MATH! promotes comprehensive understanding of mathematical practices through an engaging and interactive approach correlated to the NY State Core Curriculum for Mathematics. Student Write-in Editions provide appropriate levels of depth and rigor. By teaching real-world problem-solving skills, GO MATH! Helps students master math challenges both in school and throughout life. Visit the official GO MATH! website here.

  • Saturday Language Arts & Math Enrichment Academy

    Students in Kindergarten through Grade 6 attend fourteen two hour Enrichment sessions every Saturday and develop vocabulary, reading, math, and science skills through their participation in gardening, nutrition, literature circles, robotics, art, music, science, and finance courses designed to provide real world application of the New York State Common Core Standards.

     

    Saturday World Language Academy

    Students enrolled in kindergarten through sixth grade attend fourteen sessions of World Language instruction every Saturday. Students receive instruction from master teachers and develop their French, Spanish , or Italian vocabulary and language skills through state of the art technology and software. Students enjoy three international cuisines prepared by a professional chef. For the first time this year, the program provided a fifth grade student the opportunity to enter the Long Island Teacher’s Student Competition and win the International Vocal Music Award: Honorable Mention in French and Spanish.

     

    The ELMONT Accelerated Summer Program

    The Elmont Accelerated Summer Program is a 4-week program designed for our Pre-Kindergarten (Stepping Up Program) through Grade 5 scholars. The program will focus on academic (Reading, Writing, Math, Sciences and Social Studies) enrichment, STEAM, arts, recreation, and social-emotional learning opportunities for all participants. Throughout the program, teachers will target student-specific skills and concepts that will best prepare our scholars for their next grade-levels. Each child’s daily schedule consists of 80-minutes of ELA instruction, 80-minutes of Math instruction, a 60-minute Enrichment block, and a 30-minute enrichment push-in with our Special Area teachers. In conjunction with the daily academic instruction, scholars will also partake in diverse and creative exploration of the Arts, hands-on interactive Physical Education activities, learn and explore the history of music and instruments as well as readers theater and puppetry. Additionally, our scholars will have opportunities to engage in STEM/STEAM concepts through literature, hands-on experiments and virtual field trips to extend the learning process by way of NASA and the Long Island Cradle of Aviation.

     

    ELA & Math Academies

    Students in grades three through six attend the English Language Arts and Mathematics Academy in the Spring prior to the administration of the New York State Assessments. Four two hour sessions are scheduled at each school and are designed to prepare students for the rigor of the New York state Common Core Assessments in Literacy and Mathematics.

     

    NYSESLAT Academy

    The District English language Learners attend the New York State English as a Second language Academy in early spring to prepare for the New York State NYSESLAT Assessment. The students participate in five two hour sessions lessons that include lessons and activities that foster English language listening, speaking, reading, and writing proficiency. This year fifty three of our English language learners achieved proficiency and no longer required ESL services.
    Download the NYSESLAT Student Application (English)
    Download the NYSESLAT Parent Letter (English)
    Download the NYSESLAT Parent Guide (English)
    Download the NYSESLAT Parent Guide (Spanish)
    ​​​​​​​Download the NYSESLAT Parent Guide (Haitian Creole)

     

    Model United Nations Program

    The Elmont Model United Nations Program provides students a forum for addressing global concern in a “real world” context. The annual conference addresses important issues including, literacy, regional conflicts, peacekeeping, human rights, economic and social development, and the environment. Model United Nations provides student participants with a better understanding of the United Nations as they build skills in diplomacy and compromise. Each year our student ambassador’s culminate the experience by visiting the United Nations in June.

     

    Science Research

    The goal of the Elmont UFSD Science Research Program is to develop an early interest and love for the sciences and other related STEM fields.  Early exposure to STEM instruction develops the foundation necessary to make the content relevant to students’ lives, as well as prepare them for entrance into STEM careers. Through this program, students will have an opportunity to investigate areas of interest and conduct real, authentic, scientific investigations, while building analytical, problem solving and communication skills.  This program will also prepare our students for the rigorous high school research programs, while increasing articulation with the high schools through mentoring relationships with our students.

     

    Elmont Elementary School District-wide Music Programs

    The Elmont Elementary program has something for every musician. The Elmont Jazz Masters program has been turning musically talented students in the Elmont Union Free School District on to blues and jazz for more than 10 years. Roy Haynes, a legendary jazz drummer and recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, made a special appearance at the annual JazzMasters concert in March. Elmont students have the opportunity to participate in three District wide music programs: Through their participation in the Elmont JazzMasters Program, Elmont students have unprecedented access world class professional musicians The students participate in weekly hands on performance based workshops. Student musicians are provided with an apprenticeship approach to learning and develop a wide range of learning skills that are integrated throughout all subjects.

    The Elmont Strings Ensemble perform in Albany at the Empire State Plaza Concourse for "Music in Our Schools Week" sponsored by NYSSMA annually. The Elmont Strings Ensemble performed at the NYSSMA Festival at Hofstra University in May for the first time in many years. The District wide Marching Band performs in the Elmont Veteran’s and Memorial Day parades. Elmont student musicians perform community service throughout the year and add an air of patriotism and celebration to all Elmont events.

  • The word 'foundations' is displayed with the letters 'fun' highlighted.

    Wilson Fundations (K-2)
    In Elmont Schools, we use the Wilson Fundations program in grades K–2 to build strong foundational literacy skills. This research-based program provides systematic instruction in key areas such as phonemic awareness, phonics and word study, high-frequency word recognition, handwriting, and spelling.

    Wilson Fundations is designed to support all learners and serves as a prevention program to help reduce reading and spelling failure. As part of our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Response to Intervention (RTI) approach, Wilson Fundations is used in the classroom (Tier 1) and as an early intervention (Tier 2) for students who may be at risk for reading difficulties.

     
     

    Fundations Curriculum Maps by Grade

  • Kindergarten (A-D)

    Grade 1 (D-J)

    Grade 2 (J-M)

    Grade 3 (M-P)

    Grade 4 (P-S)

    Grade 5 (S-V)

  • Students in grades K through 6 will participate in the Measures of Academic Progress Assessment (MAP) by Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). The MAP is a standardized adaptive assessment which measures student achievement in reading and math. The test is administered in the fall and spring of each year. Following the administration, MAP reports are generated to identify students' strengths and areas in need of growth. This data is used tomonitor student progress and make decisions when planning the most appropriate learning experiences for students. Targeted instruction is provided to support student growth and achievement. Following the administration, parents receive individual student reports indicating progress in the areas of reading and math. Visit the NWEA official website for additional information.

  • As we navigate these uncharted waters, we appreciate your patience and understanding as we develop a distance learning plan that not only responds to the needs of each student but is sensitive to the unique demands of learning and teaching from home.

    Each family will be receiving communication from their child’s teacher in order to share personal Home Learning Codes for each student in their classes. After receiving your student's individualized Home Learning Code, please use the resources below to log your student into the Seesaw platform. This will create an opportunity for our teachers and students to communicate by enabling teachers the ability to assign specific tasks that students will be able to submit or respond to through SeeSaw (APP Version). SeeSaw will also allow teachers to provide feedback to support student learning while they are at home.

  • Our mission in the Elmont Elementary School District is to help students achieve academic success, develop an understanding of college and career opportunities, and develop social-emotional skills in response to life experiences through social-emotional learning! In our schools we incorporate, monthly themes (respect, emotions, problem solving, etc.), weekly classroom SEL lessons, implementation of the Second Step (SEL) Program, and daily mindfulness practices!

     

  • Please click the link below to review the District's suggested selections for our Winter Break Book Tasting

  • A colorful graphic promoting summer reading, featuring a book and sun.

    Almost 1st Grade Reading List
    Almost 2nd Grade Reading List
    Almost 3rd Grade Reading List
    Almost 4th Grade Reading List
    Almost 5th Grade Reading List
    Almost 6th Grade Reading List

  • A collage showcasing Elmont UFSD's Foundation State Aid Appropriations for 2022-2023, featuring school buildings and student activities.