Dogwood Elementary

Learning Philosophy

At Dogwood Elementary, curriculum is a roadmap that lets every child put down deep roots and branch out toward new discoveries. All core and encore subjects are built on the Missouri Learning Standards, the statewide expectations that describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Teachers backwards-design units from those standards, then layer in research-based instructional frameworks, hands-on investigations, and purposeful technology so learning feels both rigorous and relevant.

Core Instructional Program

Content Area	What Students Experience	How We Measure Success
English-Language Arts	• Structured Literacy in K-2 for strong phonics & phonemic awareness • Reading & Writing Workshop in grades 3-5 to build voice, stamina, and higher-order comprehension	Dogwood earned 100% of available ELA academic-achievement points (“Target” tier) on the 2024 MSIP6 report

Mathematics	• Concept-first math block that blends visual models, math talk, and real-life problem solving • Daily number-sense routines and math fact fluency practice	Scored 75% of math status points (“On Track”) in 2024

Science	• Inquiry labs driven by essential questions • Outdoor learning spaces & project-based units that connect to local ecology	Also 75% of science status points (“On Track”) in 2024

Social Studies	• Integrated reading of primary sources, civic simulations, and Missouri history projects	Assessed via standards-referenced rubrics and performance tasks

Fine Arts, PE & Health, Library/Media	• Weekly encore rotations cultivate creativity, wellness, and digital citizenship	Growth tracked through district rubrics & showcase events

Standards-Referenced Grading & Feedback

Kearney School District uses standards-referenced report cards in K-5. Rather than averaging points, students receive proficiency marks tied to specific learning targets so families know exactly where their child is excelling and where support is needed. Progress reports go home each trimester and PowerSchool gives families real-time access.

Continuous Improvement Culture

Teachers meet in grade-level PLCs every week to unpack student evidence, calibrate scoring, and plan next steps. The results show up in the data: three-year MSIP6 trend lines place Dogwood in or above the “On Track” band for every tested content area, with ELA leading the way at the highest benchmark level.

Bottom line: Dogwood Elementary’s curriculum balances the what (state standards) with the how (engaging, evidence-based teaching), producing steady gains and joyful learning environments where Bulldogs thrive.

Curriculum Overview