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EXPLORE Differentiation Barnesville's small class sizes allow teachers to meet the needs of students at varying levels of academic ability in reading and math. We take time to make sure students understand the content as opposed to just memoriz- ing it. We challenge each student on an individual level, with multiple reading groups in the classroom. We also have a reading specialist to provide early intervention and suppor t. Our teaching encourages students to EXPLORE how subjects relate to one another, helping them to make CONNECTIONS that spark inquiry and deepen understanding. LANGUAGE ARTS Students are exposed to a variety of books and stories. ey learn to summarize what they hear and read, sequence events, predict and infer, describe the characters and setting, and discuss cause and effect. "Alphafriends" teach letter sounds and blending sounds. Students become familiar with high frequency words and how to use a dictionary. We use the Handwriting Without Tears program to teach the formation of letters and the Houghton Mifflin Reading Curriculum for sight words and phonics. Students write in journals daily. MATH Barnesville uses the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Go Math Curriculum, which focuses equally on understanding, procedural skills, and mathematical fluency. Students practice skills using manipulatives and multiple models to move through a carefully-sequenced arc of learning, developing problem-solving strategies and becoming critical thinkers. Inquiry-based learning is at the heart of Barnesville's kindergarten curriculum. Students explore language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music, and Spanish through hands-on activities, large- and small-group instruction, and with individualized teacher support.