Pine Grove School, home of the Panthers, is moving ahead in
math, science,and technology.We are pleased to provide
advanced and challenging curricula for our students.
We are in the process of implementing the Accelerated Reader program in our elementary grades. This is a comprehensive, computerized reading program where students read the books of their choice and then test on the computer to earn points. The program was fully implemented in the junior high grades this year. The junior high reading scores on the IOWA test improved considerably this year, and we feel that this program contributed to the increase substantially. Technology is changing the way reading will be taught in the future, and we are proud to be getting a jump on this technique.
Math at Pine Grove is changing, also. This year we implemented a new math curriculum that follows the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards. Beginning with the 1995-96 ninth graders, the number of required math credits has changed from two to three credits. Algebra I and geometry are two of the required courses. To better prepare our Students to meet these requirements, we began teaching pre--algebra to our eighth graders last year. We used the Saxon Algebra 1/2 book. On the IOWA test this year the ninth grade math scores were higher. We believe the Saxon math was the main contributor to this increase.
The Physical Science Department at Pine Grove High School is busily becoming acquainted with new software that was purchased for use with the CDROM in the laboratory. The students are enjoying Interactive Physics I and Interactive Chemistry by Stanford Studyware. This multimedia software provides excellent illustrations, comprehensive reviews, practice problems, and music the kids really like. The chemistry students have also been able to work inside the "Electric Chemistry Building." This is a set of three computer simulations. Each allows students to prepare for and understand better what they do in their real lab exercises. It also provides many labs that are too expensive, dangerous, or time-consuming to complete in the regular laboratory setting.
Pine Grove is privileged to have two computer labs. Local fund raisers and local monies have also afforded us the opportunity to place at least one computer and printer in each of our classrooms at Pine Grove School. We also have Computers in our library that allow students to do research for such things as research papers. The school office also has computers which enable us to do many of the daily tasks using databases. In order that our teachers will be better able to utilize the computers in the classrooms, our staff will be participating in computer workshops during the Summer of 1996.