Curriculum
Carmody School Curriculum
High-Quality, Specialized Education. Designed for students in Grades 2-8, the Carmody School prides itself on using a research based curriculum that is aligned with the Science of Reading. We deliver explicit multisensory instruction targeting phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and language comprehension.
Using a structured language approach to teaching reading and writing, we differentiate our instruction to meet the needs of all learners, each with unique learning styles.
The Science of Reading is ever evolving and so is our practice. We are deeply committed to delivering quality instruction and equipping every child with the ability to read. We are keeping up with and learning about what research says about how children with and without learning differences, learn to read.
Overview
Lower School Carmody Curriculum Overview
Lower School Carmody instructional methods are designed to teach children academic skill so that they "learn how to learn".
Skills are directly and systematically taught, reinforced, and retaught throughout the program and at grade level. These children learn best through direct, systematic teaching using a multi-sensory approach. All subjects reflect the importance of the kinesthetic and tactile modalities to reinforce and bond the visual and auditory pathways for learning. Teachers meet regularly between divisions (RCDS and JSCS) to plan, develop, coordinate, and evaluate curriculum.
All JSCS Lower School students have a daily reading class, math, Wilson Reading classes 5x/cycle, and regular written expression classes. In addition to the content built into these courses, they are designed to teach and practice reading, writing, and study skills. Students have an opportunity to apply what they are learning in each of these classes to their science and social studies classes in a general education setting.
- Wilson Reading System
- Reading
- Lexia Core 5
- Visualizing and Verbalizing (Lindamood-Bell)
- Bridge the Gap (Heggerty)
- Equipped for Reading Success (Kilpatrick PhD)
- Writing
- Framing Your Thoughts
- Mathematics
- Executive Function/Study Skills
Wilson Reading System
Wilson Reading Program directly and systematically teaches students how to fluently and accurately decode (read). The program is very interactive and multi-sensory and teaches using total word construction, not just phonics, so students learn to encode (spell) as they learn to read.
If your child has never received Wilson instruction before they will be administered the Wilson Assessment of Decoding and Encoding (WADE) to determine placement.
Reading
Decodable books and decodable passages will be used during 1-1 or small group reading instruction in class. Skills will be taught and students will be grouped by skill rather than by “level”. Skills taught follow a scope and sequence starting with simple cvc words increasing complexity to multisyllabic words. This allows for carry over and application of skills from Wilson to the classroom during their daily reading. Novels will also be used to expose students to higher level vocabulary and to enhance comprehension skills throughout the year.
Lexia Core 5
iPad/computer based program that uses a systematic and structured approach for 6 critical areas of reading, that is aligned with the Science of Reading. This highly engaging program creates personalized learning paths for students and targets instruction to develop phonological awareness, phonics, structure analysis, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. This will be done in class and assigned for homework.
Visualizing and Verbalizing (Lindamood-Bell)
The Visualizing and Verbalizing program develops concept imagery - the ability to create an imagined gestalt from language - as a basis for comprehension and higher order thinking. The development of concept imagery improves reading and listening comprehension, memory, oral vocabulary, critical thinking, and writing.
Bridge the Gap (Heggerty)
Equipped for Reading Success (Kilpatrick PhD)
Writing
Writing is a complex combination of skills which is best taught by breaking down the process. The writing process involves a series of steps to follow in producing a finished piece of writing. JSCS teachers have found that by focusing on the process of writing, almost everyone learns to write successfully. By breaking down writing step-by-step, the mystery is removed and writer’s block is reduced. Most importantly, students discover the benefits of constructive feedback on their writing, and they progressively master, and even enjoy, writing.
Paragraphology®: Paragraphology® is a multisensory, comprehensive, scaffolded approach to writing and note-taking that can be easily utilized by children. Students are systematically taught a formula that guides them through the process of writing a basic paragraph to a comprehensive understanding of the five-paragraph essay. Through scaffolding, repetition, and practice of reading quality examples, producing work of their own, coding and unlocking writing prompts, and dissecting expository text, students learn the writing process inside and out.
The Writing Revolution: The Writing Revolution provides teachers with an evidence-based and proven instructional methodology, the Hochman Method®. The methodology rests on explicit, carefully sequenced instruction, building from sentences to compositions. The Hochman Method is not a separate writing curriculum but rather an approach designed to be adapted to and embedded in the content being taught in any subject area and at any grade level.
Framing Your Thoughts
Mathematics
Executive Function/Study Skills
Upper School Carmody Curriculum Overview
In Upper School students are faced with an increased amount of work to accomplish and, thus must learn to work more efficiently to be successful. Students in JSCS are explicitly taught executive functioning skills in addition to their academic subjects.
All Upper School JSCS students have one JSCS teacher who is their language arts, literature and study skills teacher and one math teacher. In this way, teachers are able to develop close relationships with students and guide them as needed.
Upper School JSCS students have learned how to read, but often struggle with reading fluency and integrating the study skills necessary to complete multi-step and long term assignments. The goal of our Upper School program is for students to succeed in a challenging independent school curriculum, while simultaneously strengthening their component reading, writing, math, and study skills. Students must understand those areas where they are weaker and advocate for themselves with their teachers.
- Language Arts
- Literature
- Math
- Executive Function/Study Skills
- Social Studies and Science Focus Periods
- Latin
- Spellography: Grade 5 (Book B)
- Orton Gillingham Grammar (5th grade)
- The Writing Revolution (5th and 6th grade)
- Grammar Revolution Classroom: Grammar Through Sentence Diagramming - The Get Smart Grammar Program: (6th-8th grade)
- Lexia Power Up (Grades 6th-8th)
Language Arts
Literature
Math
The goal for mathematics is to develop each student’s number concept, strengthen and solidify each student’s number sense and have students work through all levels of mathematics with fluidity. During the introduction stages of new mathematical concepts, the use of physical manipulatives is important to develop understanding. Students work towards being able to pictorially represent the concept at hand. With this firm understanding in place, students work on traditional mathematical algorithms in order to solve problems with accuracy and efficiency.
Students must have a strong mathematical number sense to build on as they move through the curriculum. The Jayne S. Carmody School teachers meet the individual student’s needs by tailoring grade level curriculum and spiraling back to basic number concepts as needed.
Executive Function/Study Skills
Social Studies and Science Focus Periods
Latin
Spellography: Grade 5 (Book B)
This program teaches spelling concepts explicitly, systematically, cumulatively, and enjoyably! Through this structured language approach, students learn:
• Phoneme awareness and syllable stress patterns (phonology)
• Sound-spelling associations (phoneme-grapheme correspondence)
• Syllable spelling patterns and combinations
• Prefix, root, and suffix constructions (morphology)
• Sentence structure (syntax)
• Parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs)
• Idioms, figures of speech, and more
Orton Gillingham Grammar (5th grade)
Developing Essential Grammar Skills : A Multi-sensory Approach teaches one part of speech at a time (beginning with nouns), while applying the same structured, sequential, and cumulative nature of the Orton Gillingham Approach, allowing students to master the various grammatical concepts.
Teaching grammar to students with learning differences explicitly is important because:
• It assists with comprehension skills
• It improves written expression
• It helps with cognitive organization & structure
The Writing Revolution (5th and 6th grade)
Grammar Revolution Classroom: Grammar Through Sentence Diagramming - The Get Smart Grammar Program: (6th-8th grade)
The Get Smart Grammar Program teaches grammar in an approachable, interesting, fun, and visual way. Grammar concepts are taught in a specific order and paired with hands-on practice diagramming sentences. Each lesson consists of an introductory video, written notes and templates for notes, guided practice diagramming, independent practice diagramming, and periodic quizzes.
Lexia Power Up (Grades 6th-8th)
Lexia Power Up is a computer based program that uses a systematic and structured approach for six critical areas of reading that is aligned with the Science of Reading. This highly engaging program creates personalized learning paths for students and targets instruction to develop phonological awareness, phonics, structure analysis, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. This will be done in class and assigned for homework.
“The positive transformation in our child is stunning. He is proud of his work and knows deep down that he is intelligent and a worthwhile student. He now enjoys learning. This change will stay with him for the rest of his life. The Carmody program works! It is deeply transformative on so many levels, not just academically. The teachers in The Carmody School have significantly changed the trajectory of our son’s life. RCDS is a very special place, and we are so very grateful to be a part of it."Erica and Scott Smith
Carmody School Parents
Supplemental Programs
Learning Ally Membership
Read Naturally Live
Read Naturally Live is a web-based intervention that accelerates reading achievement. Visual and auditory prompts guide students through the motivating steps to develop fluency and phonics skills, support comprehension, and improve vocabulary. Students in grades 2-8 will be required to complete at least two hours of Read Live each week. Read Live will be assigned for homework, but can be done during Conference, Study Hall, or other independent learning times.
IXL
Xtra Math
Xtramath.org is a free web program that teaches addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts which are critical to success in mathematics. Speed and accuracy are both important to fluency, and XtraMath will help kids build up both.
Additional Services
Occupational and Speech Therapy
The Jayne S. Carmody School offers Occupational and Speech therapy for students who qualify for such services. Students are assessed and interventions are determined based on the individual child’s specific needs, small group, one to one or a push-in model. Therapists are contracted through Shore Kids Pediatric Therapies. Students outside of the JSCS may receive services during the school day if therapy is warranted.
The JSCS Occupational Therapists have specific knowledge and expertise to help children perform school-related activities and daily routines to fulfill their roles as students. They use a comprehensive approach when assessing student's performance across a broad range of skills through participation in individually designed activities and supported work on classroom assignments. They also assists our students with many tasks, including executive functioning skills, written work, number sense, visual spatial skills, and use of assistive technology. Please contact Natalie Diehl, Head of the Carmody School and Director of Student Services, ndiehl@rcds.org, for more information.