Curriculum
Thornhill Elementary School provides a rigorous instructional program utilizing California State Standards, OUSD core curriculum materials, and teacher professional development:
Note: the following website links are offered for informational purposes only. The Oakland Unified School District accepts no responsibility for the content of these sites.
Reading/Language Arts Websites: Science Websites:
Social Studies Websites:
- Reading/Language Arts: OUSD has adopted a balanced approach to literacy. This balanced literacy program will support each child at their individual reading level and includes a daily reading and writing workshop. While all students must be exposed to grade-level text, not all students progress at the same pace. Reading assessments will be given during the first two weeks of school to help ensure each child is instructed at the level which is right for them.
- Math: The OUSD math team has created a Core Curriculum guide with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Math Expressions that is the blueprint for our math work. Most lessons include a number/math talk, direct instruction, followed by independent work time/workshop.
- Science: OUSD implements the Full Option Science System (FOSS) science program, including science kits.
- Behavioral Health (Be Safe, Be Mindful, Be Responsible): Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a nationally recognized framework for shifting school culture from punitive to culturally responsive and positively reinforcing. Students and staff work to collaborate in targeted school-wide positive behavioral expectations which are culturally informed and positively reinforced throughout the school day. Minor and major disciplinary infractions are clearly specified as well as associated interventions designed to teach, re-teach, and reinforce the skills needed to meet positive expectations. Nationwide data on schools implementing PBIS indicate an average of 50% reduction in disciplinary events. For more information about PBIS, check out the OUSD PBIS site and the national PBIS website.
- Social Studies, Technology, Visual and Performing Arts, Leadership, Ecoliteracy, Physical Education, and Library
Note: the following website links are offered for informational purposes only. The Oakland Unified School District accepts no responsibility for the content of these sites.
Reading/Language Arts Websites: Science Websites:
- NASA’s Kids' Club
- Dinosaur Data for Kids
- Howard Hughes’ Medical Institute: Biointeractive
- Astronomy for Kids
- Conservation International: Plant and Animal Diversity
- Gorilla Foundation: Koko4KIDS
- Save the Redwoods: Learning Center
- Mystery Doug: Science Videos
- Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids by American Public Media
- Tumble | A Science Podcast for Kids
- Houston, We Have a Podcast - A Podcast from the Johnson Space Center
- Additional Kid-Oriented Science Websites
- FunBrain Math Games
- AAA Math (Math explanations and practice for all levels)
- The Math Forum
- Harcourt School Publishers' Math Glossary
- Aunty Math: Math Challenges for K-5 Learners
- Khan Academy Math
- Additional Kid-Oriented Math Websites
Social Studies Websites:
- Smithsonian Learning Lab
- BBC’s History Page for Kids
- PBS’ Democracy Project
- National Geographic for Kids
- World Almanac for Kids’ U.S. History Timeline
- Flags and Maps of the World
- Born on this Day in History
- #metkids (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
- SFS Kids: Fun & Games with Music (SF Symphony)
- Additional Kid-Oriented History Websites
