Teaching & Learning
At Jackson, our commitment to excellence and high standards touches every aspect of the elementary school experience. Nowhere is this more pronounced than in the academic arena, where we cover the traditional subjects of reading, mathematics, language arts, science, social studies, music, physical education, visual arts, and world language in our classrooms.
Signature Programs
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP)
International Baccalaureate Mission
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments, and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
Visit the Official IB website for more information about the Primary Years ProgrammePYP Parent PackPYP Research Findings
STEAM Program
The Jackson STEAM vision is to provide a challenging learning environment to maximize students’ potential and ensure students are experienced, global learners equipped to meet the needs and challenges of the 21st century. At Jackson, all students have STEAM Lab once a week, with other school-wide opportunities and collaborations throughout the year. In STEAM Lab, we will do activities that enhance the IB PYP program and the Georgia State Standards.
We are excited to have new learning opportunities through our STEAM lab. At main campus, students have the opportunity to raise and monitor rainbow trout from eggs to juveniles through the Small Fry To Go program. When the trout are about 1-2 inches long, students will release the trout into the Chattahoochee River. Students and the entire community are learning the importance of preserving habitats and ecosystems while conserving resources and becoming environmental stewards. At both campuses, students will interact with the community STEAM Truck program that expose and educate as many children as possible the elements of STEAM. These are just a few of our current opportunities and we look forward to more throughout the year.
Academics
- Reading
- Language Arts
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Music
- Physical Edcation
- Visual Arts
- World Language
Reading
In the early grades, the focus is on phonics, phonemic awareness, and guided reading to instill a love for literature and reading habits that will benefit students in their academic journey and beyond.
Early reading in primary grades is introduced through the Science of Reading methodology, emphasizing phonics instruction as the foundation. This equips students with decoding skills, while guided reading provides practice and enhances context comprehension.
Teachers utilize a variety of resources, including authentic literature, to improve students' ability to interpret and appreciate written text.
Intermediate grades shift the focus from learning to read to reading to learn. A multi-text literacy approach supports various learning activities for students from kindergarten to fifth grade. Our reading program incorporates evidence-based materials and techniques essential for a well-rounded reading, spelling, and handwriting curriculum, featuring:
- Phonemic awareness
- Phonics/word study
- High-frequency word study
- Reading fluency
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension strategies
- Handwriting
- Spelling
Language Arts
Writing, grammar, listening, speaking comprise our Language Arts program. These are all designed to help students develop communication skills. Our writing program begins early in kindergarten. We see a strong language arts program playing significantly in the understanding and advancement of all other subjects across the curriculum. At Jackson, students have many opportunities to demonstrate their language arts skills through writing in all subject areas.
Math
Our mathematics program is anchored in a manipulative-based approach that focuses on concepts and problem solving. The Georgia Department of Education publishes standards for all Georgia schools to follow and these standards drive our instruction. We utilize a wide variety of resources to teach these standards and focus our efforts on concept development and application. Students have many opportunities to apply mathematics concepts and solve complex mathematical problems, with real life applications utilized throughout the curriculum. Our students reinforce their learning with appropriate games and competitions that engage and excite learners.
Science
Social Studies
Our social studies curriculum takes students from their own awareness of self to their place in the world around them. It includes history, geography, and economics, as well as current events. Social Studies is integrated throughout our curriculum as we encourage students to expand their understanding to include a true global perspective.
Music
The Arts at Jackson include: General Music, Visual Arts, Chorus and Musical Theatre.
The goal of the fine arts program is to build a strong foundation of skills using a diverse curriculum designed for enjoyable, active learning, creating, and performing. Through these positive experiences, students will grow up to become more confident and well rounded adults who appreciate the arts and incorporate it into their lives.
In General Music, students establish a foundation of musicality through active music making such as singing, playing instruments, movement and listening experiences. Music notation is introduced for rhythm and melody patterns. Social development is fostered as children experience the joy of making music individually and as a part of a group. Children deepen their passion for and knowledge of music through exposure to instruments, music vocabulary, and all genres of music. In music, students learn music theory and appreciation, and history as well as enjoy singing and performing.
- Students in fourth and fifth grades are invited to audition for our chorus, which performs several times throughout the school year.
- Students in fifth graders are invited to audition for our musical theatre production.
Physical Edcation
Visual Arts
The goal of the fine arts program is to build a strong foundation of skills using a diverse curriculum designed for enjoyable, active learning, creating, and performing. Through these positive experiences, students will grow up to become more confident and well rounded adults who appreciate the arts and incorporate it into their lives.
Our visual arts program encompasses multiple mediums, including painting, drawing, clay, ceramics, and mixed media, exposing students to a wide variety of artistic expression. Student work is displayed throughout the year. Students are then invited to display a sample of their work in our annual Art Show!
World Language
Language and communication are at the heart of the human experience. Learning to communicate in another language is critical to our students' ability to succeed in a global society. Our focus is to:
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Ensure students receive quality instruction in the target language through an articulated, sequential program which prepares them for college, career, and life in a global society;
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Provide opportunities for cultural and linguistic enrichment through authentic interactions and engaging instruction.
At Jackson Elementary, we are able to offer World Language instruction in Spanish to students in second through fifth grade. The program focuses on learning a second language through listening, speaking, singing, reading, and writing through developmentally appropriate activities. Instruction includes learning about the many countries and cultures and helps to support our IB global awareness objectives.
Supportive Instruction
- Early Intervention Program
- ESOL
- Exceptional Education
- Gifted and Talented Education
- Media Center
- Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
- Social Emotional Learning
Early Intervention Program
Children start school at a designated chronological age, but differ greatly in their individual development and experience base. The Early Intervention Program (EIP) is designed to serve students who are at risk of not reaching or maintaining academic grade level. The purpose of the Early Intervention Program is to provide additional instructional resources to help students who are performing below grade level obtain the necessary academic skills to reach grade level performance in the shortest possible time.
The EIP Program is a part of the Response to Intervention (RTI) framework for providing support to students. The EIP Program provides a structure for additional instruction to ensure students meet grade level expectations at the elementary level.
ESOL
Students immigrating to the United States often need help with developing English language skills. Our ESOL program provides needed support to students as they acquire those language skills necessary for successful matriculation through school. Services are provided to eligible students based on their individual needs.
Program Goals
- To develop competency in English in all four domains of language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing;
- To integrate language, cognitive, and academic instruction that enables students to develop English language proficiency and content area knowledge;
- To support the curriculum based on the Georgia Standards of Excellence while emphasizing social and academic language proficiency;
- To orient students and parents to the American culture and enable them to participate successfully in school and community life;
- To ensure grade-level appropriate content for all ELs regardless of English proficiency level;
- To ensure a focus on collaboration and shared accountability for the success of all English Learners.
The English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is a federally mandated instructional program for eligible English Learners (ELs) in grades K-12 (Georgia School Law Code 1981, § 20-2-156, enacted in 1985). The purpose of the ESOL instructional program is to provide English language development instruction and language support to eligible K-12 English Learners in Atlanta Public Schools for the purpose of increasing their English language proficiency and academic achievement.
The APS ESOL program is a distinct program designed to provide ESOL language instruction to eligible students from certified ESOL teachers and outreach and engagement activities to all limited English proficient and immigrant families. The responsibility for educating the whole English Learner student is shared by the regular classroom teachers and the ESOL teachers. Classroom teachers, ESOL teachers, and other support staff collaborate to determine the necessary instructional scaffolds and language-focused activities to make language and content as comprehensible as possible for ELs throughout the school day. The WIDA Consortium English Language Development (ELD) standards, integrated with the Georgia Standards of Excellence, guide the work of teachers to ensure the diverse needs of students are met. All APS schools utilize the state-approved ESOL delivery models. ESOL class sizes are limited to the maximum size specified in State Board of Education Rule 160-5-1-.08 Class Size, and all designated ESOL teachers must hold the ESOL endorsement or certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GAPSC).
The APS Multlingual Services team provides ESOL parent and community engagement and outreach and language translation/interpretation services. Per federal law and affirmed in APS Board Policy LEBB, all school – home and district – home communication must be in a language that parents understand. The APS Multilingual Programs & Services team assists in bridging the cultural and linguistic divides that often exist between the school and home through language support services, workshops, classes, trainings, and events that meet the unique linguistic and cultural needs of immigrant and limited English proficient families and enhance their engagement with their child's school and the APS community.
Contact: Katie Copeland, ESOL Teacher
Title III, Part A: Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students
Title III, Part A: Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 as Amended under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) P.L> 115-141, enacted March 2018, is a distinct subgrant to eligible school districts. The Title III federal grant program is designed “to help ensure that English Learners (ELs), including immigrant children and youth, attain English proficiency and develop high levels of academic achievement in English.” [Sec. 3102 (1)]. Title III, Part A EL Language programs provide supplemental services and activities provided to EL students, their teachers, and their families above and beyond the schools’ legal obligations to English Learners and their limited English proficient parents. In Georgia, all federal programs services are provided within the System of Continuous Improvement Framework. (For more information, visit the Georgia Department of Education website.) In Atlanta Public Schools, Title III funds are used to provide evidence-based supplemental resources and programs to support identified ELs and immigrant students, develop staff, and engage EL and immigrant families. Title III, Part A is supplemental to the APS ESOL program, it is administered by the Multlingual Programs & Services department.
After School Tutoring
LaAmistad After School is a multi-dimensional afterschool program that focuses on tutoring and mentoring. Because many first-generation parents face language barriers that prevent them from providing the level of support their children need to successfully complete schoolwork, LaAmistad After School steps in to help these kids learn and grow.
The LaAmistad After School program gives kids time to play and unwind after the school day and then provides instruction in a classroom setting. Students complete reading and math enrichment exercises, do their homework, study for tests, and work on projects. Reading is a very important component, and students are required to read 30 minutes every night. After homework is completed, students can play educational games and chess or do arts and crafts projects until pick-up time.
English for Successful Living is an English as a Second Language program that meets the needs of Latinos who seek to make a better life for themselves, their families, and their community. ESL give students the opportunity to master the English language in a comfortable setting, using a life-skills based curriculum that promotes self-sufficiency and strengthens students’ ability to meet their personal, academic, and employment goals.
Many families are unable to attend English classes because they have young children and lack the resources for childcare while in class. We provide free childcare for our students, removing one of the main barriers to accessing ESL classes.
ESL is now the largest community-based adult English as a Second Language program in Georgia, with excellent test results across levels, hundreds of students enrolled each session, and a pool of new and returning volunteers that keep the program active and vibrant.]\
APS provides bus service during the school week from Jackson Main Campus to the LaAmistad program at Peachtree Presbyterian Church.
Visit www.laamistadfriendship.org to sign up for after school tutoring and other programs.
Exceptional Education
Our Exceptional Education Program provides support for students with specific learning disabilities, or other health impaired concerns, with specialized instruction from specially trained teachers. Those services range from consultative support to small, specialized classrooms with instruction tailored to those learning needs. Individualized Education Plans are developed to meet the specific learning needs of eligible students.
Gifted and Talented Education
This supplemental instructional program inspires students to go beyond the common thresholds of learning and feel comfortable doing so. They strive and they achieve, thanks to an innovative program designed by specially certified GATE teachers. The GATE teachers also collaborate with a child’s primary teacher to ensure each student receives ample support to meet expectations in both arenas.
Jackson Elementary serves its gifted students through the Cluster Grouping Model.
The GATE program serves students in grades 1st - 5th who have been identified as gifted in accordance with the GDOE’s multiple criteria process. All students identified for gifted services will be served using the cluster model. The Cluster Grouping Model serves gifted students daily in a homeroom where the teacher is content certified and gifted endorsed. All elementary schools in the North Atlanta Cluster follow the gifted cluster model.
95% of Jackson Teachers are Gifted Certified, teachers who join our staff and do not have the certification have one year to begin the program. It is our goal to maintain 100% certification.
Elementary gifted content is enrichment based, it is not designed to advance or accelerate the core content areas. Enrichment content supplements the on grade level core curriculum. Enrichment instruction is designed to enhance students' academic experience and challenge them academically by extending their experiences in alignment with the level's current standards. It is not a replacement for the core curriculum, but rather an addition to it.
Contact: Tangie Sprinkel, GATE Coordinator
Please visit the Atlanta Public Schools Gifted and Talented website for more information.
Media Center
Our media center promotes the effective use of ideas, information, and literature to develop a lifelong love of reading.
Our Vision
The Atlanta Public Schools library media program provides collections, programs, and services to foster the development of information literate citizens through open and equitable access to resources in all formats.
Our Mission
The mission of the Atlanta Public Schools library media program is to develop effective users of ideas and information. This mission is achieved by empowering students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skilled researchers, and ethical users of information.
Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
What is MTSS? A Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a “tiered system of supports that integrates assessment and intervention within a school-wide, multi-level prevention system to maximize student achievement and reduce behavioral problems. MTSS promotes systems alignment to increase efficiency and effectiveness of resources” (Adopted from National Center on Response to Intervention, 2010).
Social Emotional Learning
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.