Classroom instruction is based on the expectations identified in the Florida Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T) Standards.
According to the Department of Education, Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards promote Douglass's noble view of education. The implementation of these standards will encourage schools, districts, and educators to adopt and build a rich, deep, and meaningful curriculum that “uplifts the soul.” To view the benchmarks for English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics, please visit the following website: https://www.cpalms.org/Standards/BEST_Standards.aspx.
South Ocala Elementary faculty and staff are proud to deliver a quality education designed to meet the needs of all students and ensure our students become self-sufficient, responsible citizens. By using the resources available at SOE, students will be able to continue to grow academically, as demonstrated by data. Our school-wide focus has been to improve our planning of effective instruction, whole group, and small group instruction, and teaching to the depth of the benchmark. Twice a week, teachers work together in collaborative planning, focusing on math and reading instruction. During these sessions under the guidance of our Leadership Team, teachers plan to the rigor of the standard, and review student data for mastery. Informed decisions regarding instruction are determined by student data..
English Language Arts (ELA): For reading instruction, we use the my View Literacy series from the SAVVAS Learning Company. Through this curriculum, students learn phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing through whole group and small group instruction. Through this curriculum, each student is exposed to rigorous texts that prepare them for a multitude of content areas. Teachers also use the i-Ready toolbox to differentiate their instruction to meet the different skill levels of students in their classroom. In addition, our K-2 students receive instruction to build reading development through the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI), a research-based and evidence-based program. Students are provided instruction with an in-depth understanding of decoding words and learning how to read. Three times a year, students in K-2nd grade will complete the STAR test and 3rd-5th grade will complete the FAST test. This provides information about the strengths and weaknesses of every student, providing us with crucial data to inform our instruction. At the end of each quarter, 3rd-5th grade students take a District Progress Monitoring Assessment (DPMA). We use the data to determine the standards of focus that students have mastered, but more importantly, which standards we must revisit to ensure that all students have understood and mastered skills needed to be successful. The multi-tired system of supports (MTSS) is integrated throughout the school day called Buzz Up. During Buzz Up the teachers focus on the reading needs of our students. Various reading programs are completed with students based on student data.
Math: We use the SAVVAS enVision series for math instruction, as well as the i-Ready toolbox. In addition, teachers use hands-on instruction in small groups to help students master the skills and rigor of the standards. Three times a year, students take the FAST Assessment. This provides information about the strengths and weaknesses of every student, providing us with crucial data to inform our instruction. At the end of each quarter, 3rd-5th grade students take a DPMA. We use the data to determine the standards of focus that students have mastered, but more importantly, which standards we must revisit to ensure that all students have understood and mastered skills needed to be successful on the FAST.