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Language
Arts • Mathematics • Science
• Social Studies
Media Center • Technology
• Physical Fitness • Art
• Music
Foreign Language • Special
Education • Extracurricular Activities
Media
Center (top
of page)
At the
heart of each UCS elementary school is a technology–rich center in which
students can seek, access, summarize, organize, analyze and evaluate
information. Media center teachers guide students in independent and
classroom–related projects using:
- a literature–
and information–rich library collection featuring a wide range of
authors, writing styles and formats;
- media center
technology, including computers networked with classroom computers;
and
- video equipment.
Technology
(top
of page)
Technology
plays a key role in UCS' elementary classroom instruction, including
art and music, to familiarize students with the tools and skills necessary
to succeed throughout high school and beyond. UCS has established authorization
and usage policies to guarantee technology is only used to support students'
educational goals.
Physical
Fitness (top
of page)
Helping
students develop positive lifelong habits is the primary goal of UCS'
elementary school physical fitness program. Students are introduced
to healthy lifestyle choices through games and activities that highlight:
- physical activity;
- fitness and
wellness knowledge;
- motor skills;
and
- positive personal/health
attitudes.
Art
(top
of page)
UCS'
art curriculum celebrates each student's individuality by exploring
the many creative approaches to a given situation. Beginning with basic
color and shape recognition in kindergarten, the elementary program
introduces students to:
- drawing;
- painting;
- print making;
- 3–D crafts;
- art history;
and
- the influence
of art on world culture.
Music
(top
of page)
Budding
young artists can realize their music potential through:
- Vocal Music
– Grade–appropriate song and rhythm instruction creates a framework
for all students to learn different styles of music, "grow"
their talents and develop a lifelong interest in musical activities.
- Instrumental
Music – Upper elementary students can climb the music scale by opting
for string instrument instruction in fourth grade and/or string or
band instrument instruction in fifth and sixth grades. Students are
responsible for renting or purchasing their own instruments.
Foreign
Language (top
of page)
The
newly adopted elementary foreign language program provides students
with early exposure to a language, such as German, Japanese, French
or Spanish. The emphasis on building readiness for language learning
and cultural awareness. Instruction is aligned with the district learning
standards at each grade level. Research indicates that early language
exposure facilitates proficiency in future foreign language acquisition
and gives children additional tools to meet the needs of a global society.
Elementary foreign language instruction is provided bi-weekly by a foreign
language specialist.
Special
Education (top
of page)
Every
UCS elementary school houses a team of experts – special education teachers,
speech and language therapists, social workers, reading and bilingual
specialists and psychologists – to identify students' difficulties,
consult with parents and teachers about children's special needs and
to help students succeed.
Michigan law requires
all individuals with disabilities to receive special education assistance
through age 25. UCS provides special education for students in preschool
through high school and additional services are available through the
Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD).
The MISD Parent
Advisory Committee publishes a directory of special education programs
and services, available through MISD or UCS' Special Services Department
by calling 810–795–2300.
Extracurricular
Activities (top
of page)
UCS elementary
schools are the site of many before-, after–school and evening enrichment,
scouting, sports, recreation, special event and other programs. Elementary
students with special talents or interests can challenge their creativity
and problem–solving skills by taking part in a variety of programs such
as:
- Academically
Talented
- Geography Bee
- Destination
Imagination
- Quiz Bowl
- Saturday Scholars
- Science and
Social Study Olympiads
Regularly produced
school and district flyers and newsletters provide registration details.
The safety patrol and crossing guards are not on duty after–hours to
guide students attending after–school functions. Parents are responsible
for their children's transportation to and from before– and after–school
activities, apart from the regular school program.
(top
of page)
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