Curriculum & Programs
Curriculum taught at Robert S. Payne Elementary School is founded on the Virginia Standards of Learning and extends outward. Students in grades PreK-5 are served in small groups within each classroom.
Pre-Kindergarten
R. S. Payne Elementary has three full-day pre-kindergarten classes on site which is a division assigned program.
Gifted Opportunities Center
This division-sponsored program is housed at R. S. Payne and serves students from the entire school division. This is an accelerated and enrichment program for students in grades 3, 4, and 5 for which students must be selected based on teacher recommendation, academic achievement, and a variety of assessments. The G.O. Center offers a differentiated, expanded curriculum, and instructional methodology that promotes self-direction through the use of divergent thinking skills, higher levels of questioning, interpretive study of literature, and independent projects.
- Third Grade
Carpe Diem-Students learn Roman culture
Red Rover Project-Students learn real-life ways that science can be used for practical purposes utilizing Lego-built rover that roams. - Fourth Grade
Carpe Diem-Students learn Latin vocabulary
VA Mock General Assembly program - Fifth Grade
Carpe Diem-Students learn Latin vocabulary
Mock Judiciary Program
Pride of Payne Choral Group - POP
Popsicle Stick Players-Theatre club that produces plays throughout the year
All subject areas follow a 6 week timeline that were established by Lynchburg City Schools in correlation with the Standards of Learning. These objectives from the timelines are assessed at the end of each six weeks grades 1-5. Click on this link to go to the Standards of Learning: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/go/Sols/home.shtml
Reading and Language Arts
The Harcourt Trophy series is the main resource for instruction in reading and language arts. Trade books are used to both remediate and accelerate, according to what is needed. At R. S. Payne, students are taught at the level on which they are working-accelerated learners are encouraged to move onward, fragile learners are given remediation opportunities. Student reading levels are assessed with the S.T.A.R. (Standardized Test for Assessment of Reading) computerized testing program at least three times per year and Stanford Reading Diagnostics Test for our 5th graders. The Accelerated Reader program is also an important part of reading instruction. In Accelerated Reader, students take computerized quizzes on books they have read and accumulate points with the scores they earn. PALS and running records are also used to assess student’s reading level.
Math
There is an emphasis on mastering the basic facts in math by using a manipulative-based math program. Basic math concepts are stressed and opportunities are given for students to move on to a higher-level curriculum. The Harcourt textbooks adopted in 2005-06, the Harcourt web site, Compass Math, Harcourt Math Center, Study Island, and Math Keys are used as resources for instruction.
Science
The Science Standards of Learning are taught with many “hands-on” activities found in kits developed by the division for each unit of study. McGraw-Hill texts were adopted in 2004-05 as a resource to teach the science concepts in the Standards of Learning.
History/Social Studies
The social studies units are founded on the Virginia Standards of Learning with a variety of technology opportunities available to complement the curriculum. A new social studies text developed by Scott Foresman Company was adopted in 2003-04 to provide an additional resource to teachers and students. Students enjoy teacher-developed PowerPoint presentations that present concepts and facts at each grade level.
Character Education
Our school focuses on the six elements/pillars of good character: respect, responsibility, honesty, citizenship, caring, and fairness. Every morning during our WRSP news show a “Character Matters” segment is done to teach our students the importance of these six pillars/elements of character. A “Caught Being Good” piece highlights students who have demonstrated one of these pillars during the week. Staff members turn in those students who have been “caught” displaying one of these pillars and the situation is read on the show.
Mentoring Program
Through the Big Brother/Big Sister Organization, adults from the community spend an hour a week with a little buddy. Tutoring, counseling, and social skills are some of the activities the buddies share.
Lunch Buddies
Adults come for an hour once or twice a month and mentor a little buddy during lunch and recess.
Technology
Technology is integrated into the curriculum with computer experiences designed to help students learn. We have two networked computer labs with 25 computers each with grade specific software and all accessible to the Internet and a wireless mobile laptop lab. All grades are scheduled in the computer labs at least twice a week. Each classroom is equipped with at least two networked multimedia computer accessible to the Internet. Large screen monitors, video projection units, Airliners, SmartBoards, laptops, digital cameras and camcorders, Computer Response Systems, digital microscopes, digital recorders, and two flex cams are available to be checked out for the classroom.
Resource Subjects
Students enjoy music, art, and movement education once a week. Music enrichment activities are also provided by the music instructor each week. Weekly sessions in the media center are closely correlated to the Virginia Standards of Learning.