Caughman Road Elementary School is helping all students develop World Class Skills consistent with the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by engaging them in meaningful activities that promote creativity, critical thinking/problem solving, collaboration, and communication.
Our primary commitment this year has been establishing a robust educational foundation for every student. We are helping them develop the critical thinking skills necessary for all future learning. In mathematics, our students develop numeracy skills. Fluently constructing and deconstructing numbers builds students' conceptual knowledge of numbers. This allows students to learn the concepts of multiplication, division, decimals, and fractions more efficiently and with a greater level of understanding. In conjunction with the school's initiative of Half Day / Math Day and the Math Movement Lab, instructional resources such as Hands-on Standards have allowed students to continue to develop that much-needed math fluency. In Reading, we expanded our back to basics approach, by expanding word study and phonemic awareness to support reading fluency and comprehension in 1st and 2nd grades. Our students are learning to use their critical thinking skills to question what they are reading. They are learning to understand what they are reading and make connections from the text to other texts, what is happening in the world, and what is happening in their lives. These connections allow the students to figure out why the author makes their literary choices when writing. When students are thinking critically, they are engaged in meaningful learning.
Collaboration and communication skills form the cornerstone of our educational approach at Caughman Road Elementary. These skills are part of our daily instruction and integral to our partner and group work. Our goal is to involve all our students in collaborative activities, which serve as a platform for them to enhance their communication skills and learn from each other by sharing thoughts, ideas, and problem-solving strategies. We believe that students learn as much from each other as they do from their teachers. This collaborative approach is crucial for our students' academic, social, and emotional development.
Our commitment to Visible Learning concepts has deepened throughout this school year as both students and teachers have embraced these research-based practices. Based on the work of John Hattie, Visible Learning is designed to have students take a more active role in their education. By setting clear Learning Intentions (what the students are learning) and Success Criteria (how students will know they have learned it), our students can measure their progress toward standard mastery. The students clearly understand what success looks like and can monitor their progress toward reaching that success. Also, as a part of Visible Learning, teachers create a Learning Progression. This progression provides a clear instructional plan to ensure that students master every component of South Carolina State Standards. Our students made huge strides forward this year, tracking their personal growth toward South Carolina Standard mastery.
At Caughman Road Elementary School, our mission centers on developing 'soaring comet learners' who embody the qualities essential for lifelong success. These are naturally inquisitive students who persevere through challenges, collaborate with their peers, and communicate clearly with everyone- their peers, teachers, parents, and community members. We firmly believe in setting high expectations for all our students, and we have seen that when these high expectations are coupled with the teaching of the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, our students rise to the occasion. We are committed to believing that every child can achieve every day.
David Thorpe, Principal
Megan Green, SIC Chair
