Academics at Rising Star

Advanced Learning Opportunity Program (ALO)

Advanced Learning Opportunity Program (ALOs) are District-supported individual school-based programs for students identified as needing more academic challenges. All students who are District-identified for Highly Capable Services or Spectrum, as well as teacher-identified students at ALO schools, may participate. These students are typically clustered in classrooms to provide appropriate differentiation and acceleration.

Reading and Writing

Rising Star uses the Center for the Collaborative Classroom (CCC) K-5 literacy curriculum. This includes Making Meaning, Being a Reader, and Being a Writer. Adopted in 2017 by Seattle Public Schools, CCC integrates social and emotional learning with literacy.

At Rising Star, our teachers also use SIPPs (Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Sight Words) as a reading intervention program and Caring Schools Curriculum as an additional curriculum support for our students’ social-emotional development. Our school is fortunate to have partnerships with the community-based organizations,& City Year and Reading Partners, who support literacy instruction (small groups and 1-1) for some of our students as well.

Math

Ensuring all students attain math proficiency also receives high priority at Rising Star. Students receive a balanced program of instruction in computation skills and problem solving. We use the Everyday Mathematics curriculum along with number sense and problem solving strategies from Singapore Math. Progress is monitored frequently through classroom observation and written tests as well as the MAP test. 

We differentiate for all students’ needs.  Bilingual teachers support math vocabulary and processes.  Students who need extra help receive small group instruction from support teachers or instructional assistants.  Advanced students in grades 2-5 participate in the Online Math League and Math Olympiad. Enrichment activities like our after school math and chess clubs give students an opportunity to explore mathematical concepts in a fun, hands-on way. Our school-wide Explorations in Math puzzle challenges are another way that we encourage math problem solving.

Our Math Coach works with teachers to refine instructional strategies as well as taking small groups for differentiation or individual assessments.

Science

Vision: All students become scientifically literate.

Mission: All students are able to investigate scientifically in order to construct and acquire conceptual understanding of their world, develop positive scientific attitudes, and become scientifically literate. This is accomplished through a collaborative, interactive, rigorous science program responsive to the needs of diverse learners.

Our teachers have continual training in “hands-on,” inquiry-based science education. Our students explore a wide variety of topics from organisms, weather, sound, electrical circuitry and food chemistry to ecosystems (including raising baby salmon!). Students also get a chance to explore local, urban nature on our own school grounds in the Finding Urban Nature program. 

Physical Education

At Rising Star Elementary, we value physical education. Our program provides quality skill development and unique opportunities for all students. This year we will offer many different avenues for students to succeed. There will be live online classes, exciting videos that provide physical activities for all ages, and other hands-on possibilities. We are committed to ensuring that your child will be physically active and growing in their education.

Music

Music at Rising Star celebrates the many talents of our students and staff. From Kindergarten to 5th grade, Firebirds will experience CREATING, PERFORMING, RESPONDING and MAKING CONNECTIONS as developing musicians. Our community represents many cultures, and our musical adventures and performances will always reflect this diversity.

Visit Mr. E’s Rising Star Music Website

New to Rising Star, our music teacher Mr. Edgbert (Mr. E) has taught thousands of students as a music teacher in Boise, Idaho, Western Washington (Vancouver, Sumner-Bonney Lake and Tukwila). Mr. E. loves to sing – especially as member of the Seattle Men’s Chorus. He plays the piano, attends sporting events (Huskies! Seahawks! Mariners! Sounders!) and enjoys traveling with his family (his partner Chris and their kids, Camille and Pieran).