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Curriculum

PROGRAMS AND CURRICULUM

PROGRAMS AND CURRICULUM

Each classroom at Gratton has an average of 15 students. Although classrooms are self-contained through sixth grade, many subjects such as physical education, fine arts, reading buddies, gardening, leadership, competitive sports, and special projects are taught in a multi-graded setting. All students participate in the fine arts program of chorus and drama with fifth through eighth grade students additionally participating in band. All students in fifth through eighth grade also participate in competitive sports. Students in seventh and eighth grades rotate between two junior high teachers for different subjects. For students who struggle, the district implements a Response to Intervention program. With the average classroom size of 15, teachers are able to effectively identify and assess students who need intervention and apply targeted strategies effectively and more readily.

Gratton is making steady progress consistently implementing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities throughout the year to promote critical thinking. The key focus is integration of all subjects while working in groups as well as individually to complete a task or solve a problem. Providing trial and error experiences are essential to exercise and improve critical thinking skills. Equally important is systematic direct instruction to provide the foundational skills that can then be applied to problem solving and critical thinking. Full STEAM ahead!
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Gratton students take the computer-based state testing (SBAC Assessment) each spring. Gratton students far exceeded the state and county with the number of students meeting or exceeding the standard for both language arts and math. In addition to basic skills, task performance, problem solving, and critical thinking skills have been integrated into the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. The integration of these elements brings challenges that are addressed in the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

Gratton School District's progress can be found on the California School Dashboard's website by clicking here https://www.caschooldashboard.org.

Evidence of a strong core program as well as benefits from our STEAM enrichment and the performing arts can be seen with the confidence and achievement of the students. Students at Gratton have won regional and state awards in many areas, including the "Imagine this..." writing contest sponsored by California Agriculture in the Classroom.  Also, the seventh and eighth grade team have won the Northern California section of  the "Future City" Competition and have gone on to represent the nation in Washington DC for a number of consecutive years.  Throughout the year, students also compete in the local "Literary Conference," as well as the Parent Teacher Club sponsored Annual Spelling Bee and Speech Meet. Gratton is a small school but is large in its achievements!
STEAM ENRICHMENT program
(science, technology, engineering, arts, math)

STEAM ENRICHMENT program
(science, technology, engineering, arts, math)

All students in kindergarten through eighth grade participate in our STEAM Enrichment Program. Through collaboration with the classroom teacher, our certificated STEAM teacher provides engaging, standards-based projects that are grade level appropriate. Students design both individual and team projects by following the foundation of the STEAM learning model which include:
  • Observation
  • Creativity
  • Innovation
  • Planning
  • Revision
  • Collaboration
  • Presentation
This learning model teaches our students to think critically, problem-solve, and explore, in solving the driving question. This foundation provides our students with the grit and skills necessary to solve real-world problems and challenges they will be faced with in the future. 
SPORTS PROGRAM

SPORTS PROGRAM

The mission of the Competitive Sports Program is to expose students to a variety of the skills necessary to work as a team to accomplish a common goal.   Cooperation and functioning within group dynamics are skills that are necessary to be productive in today’s work force as well as the self-confidence that is gained through mastering these skills.  Participation in team sports is an excellent way to obtain these skills while having fun.