Voluntary Pre-K- The Pre-Kindergarten experience at Cherry Street School embraces children four years of age. This program has become an integral part of Cherry Street's total educational program. It is planned specifically to meet individual needs and to help develop optimum potential; physically, socially, emotionally, mentally, and aesthetically. Pre-kindergarten allows the child to live as fully as possible at each stage of his/her growth without undue pressure. We believe that Pre-Kindergarten children should be provided a developmental program with activities that promote exploring, problem solving, thinking critically, and experimenting. These areas emphasize creative methods of learning. The High Scope Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum is utilized in our learning environment. This curriculum promotes an active learning classroom environment with the teacher as a facilitator of learning. Another component in our curriculum is an active parent involvement approach to learning. Research states that the more involved parents become in their child's education, the better the student will become. We believe that starting this involvement in Pre-K, will make an everlasting impression and affect on our children's lives.
Kindergarten - Merriam Cherry Street School Kindergarten bases their philosophy of teaching on a developmental approach. Various teaching techniques and strategies are employed in a positive learning environment. A variety of activities which include cooperative groups, manipulatives, direct instruction and computers are presented through hands-on experiences. The kindergarten teachers work closely with parents to help make their child's first educational experience a positive one.
First Grade - Getting our children started on a road to success in the basic skills of reading, writing, and math are our main focuses in first grade. We believe in teaching reading and writing through a systematic approach including explicit phonics instruction, authentic literacy experiences and relevant practice. Our math program centers around real life experiences, hands-on activities, and plenty of drill to ensure mastery.
Second Grade - Second grade at Merriam Cherry Street believes in "back to the basics". We use the Saxon Phonics program because of its strong phonics program that teaches the development of sound and spelling knowledge. Furthermore, Saxon Phonics enables students to become fluent and independent readers through concept boards that are easily developed into thematic units. Our math program is Saxon Math. The focus of our math program is solving problems and understanding the meaning of math. We also use manipulatives to give our students hands-on, concrete experiences. The handwriting program is D'Nealian. We have noticed a great improvement in the children's handwriting with this easy-to-teach program. It also prepares a smooth transition into cursive writing. Teaching our unit work is fun for us, and we are making a big effort to connect health, social studies, and science to our basic curriculum. We presently have four integrated units. These include seeds, fossils, nutrition, and the solar system. These units are taught under larger themes. Because our school improvement goal is writing, we are trained in Creative Writers. Through the six traits of writing and the writing process, we emphasize Cherry Street Writes with assessment through rubrics. In conclusion, we are excited that second grade has been selected to pilot a creative writing magazine that will be written by the students.
Third Grade -
Fourth Grade- The fourth grade at Merriam Cherry Street focuses on building upon the students background knowledge as well as introducing them to new skills in all content areas. The math program focuses on simple reviews as well as more in-depth studies of addition and subtraction using several regroupings and word problems. In addition, division, fractions, decimals, and geometry are introduced to the students. The reading program focuses on comprehension for both informational and recreational purposes. Students learn strategies and models for how to predict, clarify and organize information in reading. A great emphasis is placed in the writing process. Fourth grade teachers hold a workshop at the beginning of the year to inform parents of the writing process so that they can effectly assist their child at home. The Florida Writes test is given in February; therefore, students spend a great deal of time refining their writing skills to prepare for the test. Fourth grade students also focus on Florida history. An in-depth study is designed to instruct students on history, geography and government sections within our state. The fourth grade students take a field trip to the state capital to tour first hand the governmental buildings and museums.
Fifth Grade - The fifth grade at Merriam Cherry Street provides students an opportunity to expand their knowledge of many subject areas. Students work to sharpen their math skills to be ready to take the new FCAT. Writing is an integral part of the curriculum. Students work on creative as well as expository pieces. States and capitals are tested in Social Studies and awards are given to students who master all 50. The D.A.R.E. program is taught by the Panama City Police Department one day a week to all fifth graders. The fifth grade wing has been completely renovated with each room being modernized and connected to the school server and the internet. Our fifth grade students are exposed to many speakers. Career Day is held annually. Community members are invited to come speak to the students about their chosen profession. Field trips are taken to various locations. Each year, as a farewell to elementary school, the students spend a day at Shipwreck Island Water Park. This gives the students an opportunity to develop good, lasting memories of their elementary years.
Music - The music program at Merriam Cherry Street endeavors to bring knowledge, understanding and appreciation of music into the lives of our students, thereby demonstrating its importance as a part of our culture and way of life. This year our students have new books, CDs, software, computer and video resources that we have not had in the past. Karen Stovall, the music teacher, tries to collaborate with classroom teachers to enhance and reinforce learning taking place in the regular classrooms.
Art- In the art program at Merriam Cherry Street students will learn about art history and art appreciation while making a variety of art projects. The art teacher, Mrs. Wise, is looking forward to teaching a plethora of art activities this year including some lessons which will correlate with the newly adopted reading textbooks. Additionally, there will be an emphasis on showcasing student art even more than ever before. Whenever Cherry Street has an evening musical performance featuring students in a particular grade level, artwork by those students will be on display in the cafetorium. This will provide parents with a double treat as they see their student’s musical and artistic achievement. These are exciting times at our school as our students enjoy creative expression in the new music and art rooms.
Physical Education- A "Welcome Back" letter from the Physical Education Department will provide all the information you will need on how to dress your child for class, what to do if your child is sick. Included will be a health form that must be filled out and returned.
Media- The Library-Media Center is the hub of the school. Mrs. Gipson, our media specialist, help teachers, staff and students with accessing and using information. The school media center is a place that will give everyone "information power" by using print and non print, electronic and human resources. This is a place where students can grow and learn. We plan to have an exciting year! effective intervention strategies when a student is struggling with a language based difficulty including reading and writing. When interventions in the classroom are not enough to facilitate success, then the speech language pathologist may screen/evaluate. If a student qualifies for speech or language therapy, an individual education plan (IEP) is developed by the team and services are provided through small group therapy sessions. For speech therapy, we use a phonologic process approach. A multi-linguistic approach is used for language therapy which means that we address the students' needs at various levels including phonological processing (the ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds within a word), vocabulary, sentence structure & grammar, and organization of ideas for speaking and writing. A reward system of stamps and trips to the treasure box are used to help motivate children to do their very best. We strive to keep speech and language learning both fun and exciting!
Guidance- Mrs. Rawson extends to you a warm and enthusiastic hello and invites you to become an active participant in your child's success. By working together we will have a fantastic year. Please call or stop by at your earliest convenience.
Speech and Language – The speech and language therapy program is dedicated to prevention, screening, assessment, and treatment of speech and language disorders. The speech and language pathologist is available to help teachers and families determine most
The third grade year at Cherry Street Elementary refines skills learned in first and second grade as well as introducing many new skills. Our math program is Saxon Math. One new skill is introduced daily with guided practice in the classroom. This is followed by nightly homework to reinforce the new concept as well as previously taught skills. A math meeting is held daily in which students participate in a review of money, time, number patterns, number sentences, temperature, calendar concepts and a word problem. We use a variety of math manipulatives which enhance the learning experience by giving concrete learning opportunities.
Our language arts program is anchored by the Scott Foresman reading program and includes many other supplemental reading materials. These incorporate phonics, writing, reading, grammar and a variety of literature genres. We also focus on the five components of reading: fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, phonemic awareness and phonics. The Accelerated Reader program is strongly encouraged to create life long readers. A series of cold reading tests and FCAT review materials are utilized throughout the year. We also participate in the Bay Writes program and write across the curriculum daily to improve writing skills. Cursive writing is taught using the Zanier-Bloser program. Science, social studies and health are taught throughout the year. Hands on activities are used as often as possible in each of these areas. Field trips are scheduled several times a year to enhance curricular instruction as well as social development. In addition to physical education, students are involved in movement activities daily.