ACADEMIC CURRICULUM
English Language Arts
Curriculum materials, instruction and assessments are aligned with Common Core State Language Arts Standards, ensuring that learning
objectives are clear and ensure continuity of vertical progression in learning outcomes. A variety of curriculum resources are used to engage students, address diverse learning styles, and meet standards. Curriculum materials include literature anthologies that include a collection of literary works, essays, novels, digital texts and multimedia/online resources of various genres, interactive websites, and educational apps.
Math
Go Math is a focused math curriculum designed to meet the goals of the Common Core Standards for Mathematics. The Standards for Mathematical Practices are integrated throughout the program. Go Math utilizes consumable workbooks which allow students to record, represent, solve problems, and explain their thinking and reasoning as they discover and build new understanding of mathematical concepts. The comprehensiveness and rigor of Go Math provide personalized and adaptive 21st century instruction to ensure student success. Go Math includes a variety of online resources for teachers, students, and parents.
Science
PCHES will implement a new curriculum, Amplify Science. Amplify Science was developed in partnership with UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science Department. Amplify is a comprehensive curriculum that engages students with real-world phenomena, providing them with opportunities to carry out scientists and engineering roles. The curriculum includes detailed lesson plans, formative and summative assessments, hands-on activities, and digital simulations that align with Next Generation Science Standards.
Social Studies
The Hawaiʻi Core Standards in Social Studies (HCSSS) describe the inquiry skills, concepts and content that students will need in order to engage in critical thinking and active civic participation. A combination of resources and materials are implemented to engage students in comprehensive and meaningful social studies education that allow students to apply skills in analyzing, interpreting, and synthesizing information connected to social studies themes and concepts. These resources and materials include:
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Literature and Picture books featuring diverse cultures, historical figures, and social studies concepts and themes
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Visual aids such as maps, globes, atlases and other visual tools to help students understand geography, regions and landforms,
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Primary sources and secondary sources including historical documents, artifacts, photos, articles, books, and videos of historical people, historical events, cultural practices and societal issues.
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Digital resources and interactive websites such as video documentaries, interactive maps, and virtual tours that provide exploration and inquiry
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Community and Guest Speakers are invited to classrooms to provide firsthand perspectives on local histories, career connections and civic responsibilities.
The Arts, Physical Education, and Hawaiian Studies
One of our overriding belief statements here at PCHES is the development of the whole child. We support that belief by offering PE sessions, arts & crafts, performance arts (music & dance), and cultural studies to our students as a part of their regular curriculum.
Computer Science
We offer a one-to-one computer device ratio in grades K-6. We have a technology plan that teaches our youngest learners how to use the computer via various programs, and work our way up to grade six, where they start applying their skills to create projects in Google Classroom, Powerpoint, Google slides, and coding.
Library Science
Students visit the library media center every other week to explore both print and digital media. Lessons in the media center foster students' love of reading and encourage students to think critically. Twice a year, a Scholastic Book Fair is held in the library to promote reading and support library initiatives.
Project-Based Learning
Students aim to complete a PBL (project-based learning) unit per semester. PBL is a teaching method where students gain knowledge and develop soft skills, or career-readiness success skills, by researching and responding to complex questions and real-world problems/challenges. PBL encourages the integration of academic content, often across multiple subject areas, and promotes active learning through peer collaboration, critical thinking, decision making, and problem solving. PBL offers significant opportunities for students to develop career-related skills and make meaningful connections to professionals in careers or industries related to their project based learning topics. Oftentimes, students collaborate with these industry experts who provide their perspective, knowledge and feedback on student projects. PBL units often result in a display of authentic products, presentations, or performances.
Extra Curricular Activities
Because of our belief in providing multi-faceted, well-rounded learning experiences, we offer a variety of clubs and activities in which, students are able to explore different interests and develop various skills in teamwork, leadership, and personal growth, while challenging themselves intellectually, competitively, and creatively. Read more on our student Clubs and Extracurriculars Page.
Nā Hopena A‘o (“HĀ”)
This is a framework of outcomes that reflects the Department of Education’s core values and beliefs in action throughout the public educational system of Hawaii. The Department of Education works together as a system that includes everyone in the broader community to develop the competencies that strengthen a sense of belonging, responsibility, excellence, aloha, total-wellbeing and Hawaii (“BREATH”) in ourselves, students and others. With a foundation in Hawaiian values, language, culture and history, HĀ reflects the uniqueness of Hawaii and is meaningful in all places of learning. HĀ supports a holistic learning process with universal appeal and application to guide learners and leaders in the entire school community.
Common Core State Standards
Hawaii Common Core Standards define the knowledge and skills students need to succeed in college and careers when they graduate. They align with college and workforce expectations, are clear and consistent, include rigorous content and application of knowledge through higher-order skills, are evidence-based, and are informed by standards in top-performing countries.
General Learner Outcomes
These are the over-arching goals of standards-based learning for all students in all grade levels in the HIDOE. Our teachers rely upon rubrics built upon these to inform their assessment of students — going beyond academic achievement to ensure students become engaged, lifelong learners. They are:
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Self-directed Learner (The ability to be responsible for one's own learning)
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Community Contributor (The understanding that it is essential for human beings to work together)
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Complex Thinker (The ability to demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving)
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Quality Producer (The ability to recognize and produce quality performance and quality products)
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Effective Communicator (The ability to communicate effectively)
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Effective and Ethical User of Technology (The ability to use a variety of technologies effectively and ethically)