Curriculum Overview

At Mason Elementary, our curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong academic foundation while fostering curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and a lifelong love of learning. Instruction is aligned with the New Hampshire Department of Education requirements and nationally recognized academic standards. Through engaging instruction, ongoing assessment, and evidence-based instructional practices, we prepare students to become confident learners, effective communicators, critical thinkers, and responsible citizens.

English Language Arts
Instruction in English Language Arts is aligned with the Common Core State Standards and provides comprehensive instruction in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language. Reading instruction includes explicit and systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics (decoding and encoding), fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension, helping students develop strong foundational literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading.

 

Writing instruction develops students' abilities in narrative, informational, and opinion writing while strengthening grammar, mechanics, and written communication skills. Instruction is supported by the Collaborative Scoring framework, a research-based approach developed by educators in the Mason School District. This framework provides students with clear expectations, consistent feedback, and opportunities to strengthen written communication skills across all grade levels.

Mathematics
Mathematics instruction is aligned with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and emphasizes conceptual understanding, mathematical reasoning, procedural fluency, and problem-solving skills. Students develop mathematical thinking through hands-on exploration, mathematical discourse, and real-world application. Students also receive systematic instruction and practice to develop fluency with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts, including mastery of the multiplication tables by the end of Grade 5, providing a strong foundation for future mathematical learning.

Science
Science instruction is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Students engage in inquiry-based learning that promotes scientific thinking, investigation, and problem solving while exploring concepts in life science, physical science, earth and space science, and engineering.

Social Studies
Social Studies instruction is aligned with the New Hampshire Curriculum Frameworks for Social Studies. Students develop an understanding of civics, history, geography, economics, and culture while building the knowledge and skills necessary to become informed, responsible, and engaged members of their communities.

Handwriting
Handwriting instruction supports the development of legible manuscript and cursive writing, fine motor skills, and effective written communication. Students receive instruction in manuscript handwriting in the primary grades and cursive handwriting by the end of Grade 5.

Primary Instructional Programs and Resources
Our curriculum is supported by a variety of evidence-based and research-based instructional programs and resources, including: