Curriculum

Language Arts

At Indian Hill Primary, our English Language Arts program is dedicated to providing our young learners with a strong foundation in language and literacy. Literacy is essential for students' success across all subjects and grade levels, and our program focuses on developing reading, writing, and oral language skills.

We believe an effective English Language Arts curriculum is more than just reading books. It involves engaging experiences that help students appreciate and create text as readers, authors, and critics. Our curriculum is designed to progress from early literacy to more advanced skills, ensuring students develop a deep understanding and love for language.

Our Beliefs

Students, as emergent readers, will demonstrate the application of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension because these skills are highly correlated to later literacy success;

Students will be exposed to a variety of genres of text and other literary mediums as well as have voice and choice within literacy instruction to promote independence and be self-directed;

Students will use and apply strategic academic vocabulary terms to communicate ideas within literacy;

Students will write purposefully to persuade, explain, and convey real or imagined experiences.

Students will participate in a literacy curriculum within English Language Arts classes and other content areas, with a focus on the 21st-century classroom and future workplace settings, which represent a wide range of expected competencies.

Indian Hill Exempted Village Schools welcomes the science of reading as part of early literacy instruction. To learn more about our District's strong literacy foundation, see a summary here.

Mathematics

At Indian Hill Primary, we adhere to the Ohio Learning Standards for our Kindergarten through 2nd-grade students, focusing on hands-on, interactive learning experiences. Our approach emphasizes developing critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative learning through engaging activities. Students explore key mathematical concepts using a variety of visual representations and tactile experiences, which help them gain a deep and intuitive understanding. This method promotes active exploration and discussion, ensuring a thorough comprehension of mathematics that lays a strong foundation for future academic success.

Social Studies

At Indian Hill Primary School, our Social Studies curriculum aligns with the Ohio Learning Standards for kindergarten through second grade. It covers history, government, geography, and economics through hands-on activities. The focus includes citizenship, personal history, community roles, and various cultures. Students explore U.S. landforms, geographic features, natural resources, and human activities, enhancing their understanding and preparing them to be informed members of society.

Science

Indian Hill Primary School's Science curriculum is thoughtfully aligned with the Ohio State Standards, addressing the three core strands of Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, and Life Science at each grade level. We offer a diverse curriculum that provides engaging, hands-on learning experiences and opportunities for students to explore scientific concepts within and beyond the classroom setting.

Social Curriculum

The Primary School uses the Responsive Classroom approach. “The Responsive Classroom approach to teaching emphasizes academic, social, and emotional growth in a strong school community. How children learn is as important as what they learn. Independent research has found that the Responsive Classroom approach is associated with higher academic achievement in math and reading, improved school climate, and higher-quality instruction.