Elementary Curriculum (K-5)

Columbia Heights Public Schools focuses on the mission of “Creating worlds of opportunity for each and every learner.” Instruction is aligned with the Minnesota State Standards.

CHPS Elementary Schools include:

Highland Elementary - 763.528.4400
North Park School for Innovation - 763.528.4300
Valley View Elementary - 763.528.4200

Arts

Elementary art students have opportunities to learn about different types of visual and performing arts within Music and Art class. Elementary students have both Music and Art class at least weekly. Grade 5 students also have the opportunity to participate in Band.
Art instruction is aligned to the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Arts Education. Classes focus on the four fundamental processes of art: Creating, Responding, Performing/Presenting, and Connecting.

ELA

English Language Arts (ELA) are all of the communication and language skills and processes people use every day to receive and send information. Students in ELA classrooms and across the content areas take in information through reading, listening, and viewing from both literary and informational sources. Students also write, speak, and exchange ideas to express themselves and communicate with others. The ability to use and understand language is critical to every aspect of students’ lives and their future career and college readiness. (MDE English Language Arts)
Elementary students have frequent opportunities to read, write, view, listen, and speak in all content areas. During the Literacy block, teachers utilize a combination of whole group and small group instruction, as well as individual conferencing with students.
English Language Arts (ELA) instruction is aligned to the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in English Language Art, The curricular resources used to support literacy instruction are Wonders for grades K-2 and Wit & Wisdom for grades 3-5.

Math

Mathematics is a discipline whose basic ingredients are numbers, shapes, and algebraic relationships. Logical reasoning is used to study the properties of these objects and develop connections between them. The results can be used to understand and analyze a vast array of phenomena arising in all of the sciences, engineering and everyday life. For this reason, mathematics is often called the "language of science.” We support mathematics achievement for all learners by providing guidance and technical assistance on implementation of academic standards, current best practices, and multi-tiered systems of intervention. (MDE Mathematics)
Elementary students receive daily mathematics instruction and opportunities to engage in mathematical problem solving. During the Math block, students will experience both whole group and small group instruction, as well as independent practice of skills.
Mathematics instruction is aligned to the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Mathematics. Math in Focus curriculum is used to support mathematics instruction for students in grades K-5.

Phy Ed. & Health

The goal of physical education is to develop physically literate individuals who have the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of physical activity. To fulfill a lifetime of physical activity, a physically literate individual:
- Has learned the skills necessary to participate in a variety of physical activities.
- Knows the implications and the benefits of involvement in various types of activities.
- Participates in regular physical activity.
- Is physically fit.
- Values physical activity and its contribution to a healthful lifestyle.

(MDE Physical Education)
- Elementary students have Physical Education at least once per week. Physical Education instruction is aligned to the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Physical Education.
- Health Education is taught by the classroom teacher. Instruction is aligned to the Minnesota Academic Standards in Health Education. HealthSmart curriculum is used to support health instruction.

Science

Science is the process of exploring and explaining the processes, structures, designs, and systems that make up our natural and human-made world. In Science, all students engage in practices including making observations, developing and revising models, and recording and analyzing data to answer scientific questions and design solutions to problems. Scientifically literate classroom communities make observations of the world around them, design investigations to answer questions, make connections between ideas across the science disciplines, and solve problems using technologies for an ever-changing world. (MDE Science)
Science is taught by the classroom teacher. Students have opportunities to learn about science concepts and engage in hands-on activities and investigations. At the Elementary level, FOSS is used to support science instruction. At North Park School for Innovation, science instruction is also supplemented by Project Lead the Way and has a focus on STEM and sustainability. Science instruction is aligned to the Minnesota Academic Standards in Science.

Social Emotional

Social Emotional learning is guided by the Collaborative for Academic and Social Emotional Learning’s (CASEL) framework that includes five Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies that are important for students to possess: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. The CASEL framework is recommended by the Minnesota Department of Education’s SEL Implementation Guidance
Social Emotional learning is embedded in all other learning and interactions that occur throughout a student’s day. Our elementary staff implement the Responsive Classroom approach to provide engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmentally responsive teaching, as well as to build students’ SEL competencies.

Social Studies

Social Studies is the interdisciplinary study of citizenship and government, economics, geography, history and other disciplines in the social sciences and humanities. Social Studies empowers learners to become inquisitive, informed, and engaged members of society who use critical thinking, inquiry, and literacy to prepare for college, careers and civic life. (MDE Social Studies)
Social Studies is embedded within the English Language Arts instruction and supplemented with books, magazines, and current events. Instruction is aligned to the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Social Studies.