Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment

Geology lessons at Beavertail State Park, Jamestown RI

The Jamestown Schools provide a challenging and engaging education experience to ensure all our students reach their full potential. Our curriculum is grounded in standards-based instruction in all subjects, focusing on building essential knowledge and skills. We foster a supportive and inclusive school environment where every student can thrive and feel valued. Through hands-on projects and integrated activities, students enhance their creativity and problem-solving skills, applying what they learn to real-world challenges. We also emphasize other key 21st-century skills such as innovation, collaboration and critical thinking, preparing students to positively impact our interconnected world. To learn more about our vision for our students, check out the Jamestown Schools- Portrait of a Graduate

English Language Arts

The Into Reading curriculum was adopted in 2022 for students in grades K-5. It is a comprehensive reading curriculum which offers a responsive and balanced approach to literacy instruction, grounded in the Science of Reading. The foundation of reading instruction in the early grades is phonemic awareness and phonics which ensures all students have a solid foundation to build upon as they learn to read. In all grades, students read a variety of rich grade level texts and respond to what they have read both in writing and through discussions.

In sixth through eighth grade students receive their reading and writing instruction through the EL Education curriculum. This curriculum is also grounded in the Science of Reading and, at the middle school level, aims to build deeper knowledge for our students by using authentic texts and novels connected to real-world topics in the areas of social studies, science, technology and literature.

Structured Literacy Lesson in Kindergarten

The Science of Reading for Parents- Video

Mathematics

iReady Classroom Mathematics 2024 is a robust program which enables our students to become strong, independent mathematical thinkers. The program uses an enhanced and strategic approach to math instruction, focusing on reason, sense making, problem solving, and student-to-student conversations about conceptual mastery. Students have the opportunity to tackle complex concepts, and hone their critical thinking skills about mathematics while building a foundation of number sense and fluency.

Small Group Math Lesson- Grade 1

Check out the JSD iReady Mathematics Family Page

*Please note students enrolled in our 7th Grade Accelerated Math Class learn all of the 7th and 8th grade common core math standards in one year, in preparation for Honors Algebra in 8th grade. Additionally, students who successfully complete the Honors Algebra course in 8th grade are eligible to receive high school credit at North Kingstown High School.

Science

Students building and using "drifters" to measure currents in collaboration with the

Conanicut Island Sailing Foundation

Jamestown Schools Science Curriculum- Grades K-5

In grades 6-8, we are in the first phase of transitioning to OpenSciEd with full implementation expected by the 25/26 School year. It is a comprehensive middle school science curriculum that empowers students to ask questions, design investigations, craft solutions, and figure out our interesting and puzzling world.

OpenSciEd Middle School Overview (Draft)

We also work in close collaboration with GEMS-Net (Guiding Education in Math and Science Network) at the University of Rhode Island. Learn more about GEMS-Net!

Social Studies

Rhode Island Social Studies Content Standards

Rhode Island Social Studies Curriculum Framework

The Jamestown Schools are in the beginning stages reviewing these revised Rhode Island Standards from the Department of Education. We will identify grades requiring shifts in focus and develop a timeline for fully aligning curriculum and instruction to these new standards by the fall of 2026.

Spanish

Lucha Libre Mask Making- 5th grade Spanish

World Readiness Standards for Learning Languages

World Languages Curriculum Framework (2024)

*By the end of 8th grade, students who successfully complete our Spanish coursework and pass the 8th Grade Spanish assessment are eligible for Spanish 1 high school credit at North Kingstown High School. It is important to note only students continuing on to Span 2 in 9th grade receive credit. If students choose to switch languages in grade 9, they will not receive credit for 8th grade Spanish.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)