American elementary education

Elementary education or primary education is a compulsory program in US education, is a priority investment of the US Government, and is a field that archives many achievements. To begin elementary education, American students are required to finish 1 to 2 years program at preschool or nursery school. Elementary program requires specific requirements for each student after completing each level. Let's with Maple find out about the American elementary education system - the world's top quality.

1. American elementary education system introduction
The primary education system in the United States is typically from kindergarten to fifth or sixth grade. That is, students will go to school from 5 to 7 years old, depending on the difference in state policy, especially the compulsory requirement of kindergarten. The primary education program will end when children finish grade 5 as they are 11 years old.

Traditional kindergarten is structured as a “pre-primary” program, but it is often set in elementary schools. Public kindergartens are free. However, some kindergartens are independent programs and there are several other facilities that offer different forms of early childhood education, including daycare centers and kindergartens. Students may enroll in some preschool programs at age 3, but they typically begin kindergarten at age 5. Programs may last a full day or a half day.

Students receive full-time academic instruction from grade 1. Typically, elementary students have received instruction in core subjects by one teacher throughout the year. However, subjects such as art, music, physical education, and computer science are instructed by specialist teachers.

States decide the curriculum and school districts, schools while individual teachers decide how to implement it. The core subjects of elementary education in the United States are English Literature (reading, writing, grammar, and spelling in English), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies (geography, state history, American history, world history). Students may also receive instruction from regular or specialist teachers in art, music, drama, physical education, computer science, and other subjects. They also often visit the library weekly to supplement their knowledge.

As of 2001, there were 92,858 elementary schools in the US, of which 68,173 were public schools and 24,685 were private schools. As of fall 2009, there were about 3.5 million students enrolled in public elementary schools, according to the National Center for Education Statics.

2. Characteristics of American elementary education
2.1. Target
Elementary education in the US requires specific graduation requirements on each student. As follows:

Graduation from Kindergarten
Specific requirements for kindergarten students in the US are:

• Can recognize and distinguish numbers, can express abstract mathematical concepts by concrete objects such as pebbles, pieces of paper, sticks...
• Recognize 26 English letters, distinguish vowels and consonants
• Distinguish the different professions and know what these occupations will do then.
• Understand the evolution of biological life.
• Learn geography from globe, map, understand that there are many inhabitants, many countries and different skin colors on earth.
• Understand everyone's obligations and responsibilities: the elderly need to stay at home, children need to go to school, adults need to work...

Grade 1
Students graduating from grade 1 need to meet the following basic requirements:

• Can count from 1 to 100, can count two-digit numbers or multiples of 5, knows odd and even numbers, knows simple addition and subtraction.
• Learn to observe, classify and classify different things and items.
• Can take evidence on the evolution of life, understand the mutual relationship between plants and animals in nature
• Learn to use pictures to express ideas.
• Understand the inevitability of clothing, food, shelter and home.
• Understand the relationship between family members, neighbors.

Grade 2
After finishing the 2nd grade program, American elementary school students need to know the following contents:

• Know how to read and write three-digit numbers, can count forward or count down from five arbitrary numbers.
• Proficiently apply addition and subtraction for two-digit numbers, know how to use units of measurement such as inches (inches) or centimeters to measure lengths, know how to read clocks.
• Read books, maintain regular writing (comment) after reading books, learn to write summaries, understand and distinguish different literary forms such as poetry, prose, novel, story sign… Also, know the difference between works of fiction and non-fiction.
• Start studying independent animal research, such as the ecology of insects…

Grade 3
3rd grade students in the US will be trained and required to achieve the following contents:

• Learn how to turn documents into charts, compare large and small and add and subtract within 100,000, master addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with three-digit numbers.
• Can get local documents in the surrounding environment, collect and organize documents, understand how to maintain human health, understand the life process of small animals such as frogs, butterflies, chicks, guinea pigs…
• Understand how to use a dictionary.
• Understand the thoughts of works and their favorite writers and artists express, understand literary works in different cultural contexts.

Grade 4
The goals of American elementary education after the end of the 4th grade program are:

• Use a calculator to calculate very large numbers, compare large and small within 1,000,000, learn decimals and fractions, draw graphs.
• Can explain the difference in climate between regions of the world by using maps, pictures, charts.
• Understand a step further different genres of literature, such as sci-fi works, stories, etc by reading.

Grade 5
Students will complete elementary school in grade 5 with the following basic requirements:

• Know how to fill in, read all kinds of tables, proficient in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions.
• Can use the library system and documents to conduct research.
• Compare and synthesize different types of news through writing
• Start writing your own factual (non-fiction) and five-paragraph paragraphs.
• Learn formal and informal writing and how to write letters to friends.
• Understand the division of different categories of publications.
• Grasp the main content of a book, and comment on the structure, context, character building, expression methods, and language arts.

2.2. General management 
At public elementary schools in the US from 4 or 5 years old (depending on the state) to the end of grade 5 will be free of main tuition fees. In some places, parents can pay a little for the school for books, school supplies, the cost ranges from a few dozen to a few hundred dollars depending on the school. Primary school hours usually start at 8am and end around 2:50pm, with no naps.

Each school often has a different curriculum even in the same city, but a common state standard for assessment and curriculum design. School ratings are also different on a 10-point scale, so parents often choose to buy/rent houses in areas with high-scoring schools.

2.3. Academic score
The US elementary school students are only really assessed by the score from grade 3 to rank the school compared to other schools. In kindergarten and grade 1, grade 2, the teacher assets students' levels by a short test on the computer thereby putting them in groups from low to high. From there, adjusting the learning speed to fast, slow and difficult levels, easy in each group, helping children learn quickly without getting bored and slow learners without drowning. Therefore, the knowledge equipment of math and reading for students before grade 1 in the US is more complex compared to Vietnam. Schools often use the A-F scale to assess students' academic performance in each subject.

2.4. Emphasising Practical knowledge of social sciences and natural sciences
Since kindergarten, the social science curriculum has taught children to distinguish between what they want and what they need, how to use and circulate money in society, how to be a good citizen, how professions serve society, how to work in groups...

With natural science subjects, children go out to the garden to look deeply, plant seeds in the soil to see how plants grow, pick up leaves to see the changing seasons, sometimes get in the car to farms, museums, claws that make friends with rabbits, turtles, dogs, cats,...

2.5. Various teaching methods
Primary education in the US always focuses on flexibly changing in the diversity of educational methods to suit each specific student.

Elementary education in the United States empowers children with great freedom of choice and respects individual freedoms within the limits allowed. This is demonstrated in many ways. For example, in most American public schools, students are free to choose their school clothes because the school does not require uniforms, as long as it is clean and polite. Besides, elementary school students in the US are often mastered the spirit of not being afraid to make mistakes to learn or discover new things. Therefore, American students are always active and free in expressing their opinions, contributing to lessons or giving suggestions to teachers.

In the US, primary education always focuses on combining theoretical knowledge with practical content. In each lesson, teachers will direct students to practical knowledge content of life. At the same time, teachers will create the best conditions for students to conduct many experiments to deeply memorize the theory. Therefore, after finishing primary school, students can completely apply the knowledge they have learned to solving practical problems.

In elementary school classrooms in the United States, teachers do not compare children with each other. When she finished the homework in class, teacher only write "great job" or drew a smiley face or a star, but there was no score or error correction, so every child was confident that he was good. Only when children take the computer-based reading comprehension test four times a school year will their scores be sent back to parents for reference.

In addition, American primary education also flexibly applies other educational methods such as applying modern science and technology, focusing on skills education for students...

3. Subjects in American Primary Education
3.1. Compulsory subject
The annual elementary school curriculum consists of four core subjects: Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. These are the 4 compulsory subjects ranked by level from K to Grade 5, with a summary of subjects and levels as follows:

Math: Elementary math begins in kindergarten with students learning basic concepts such as sorting, repeating sequences, and learning to count. In grades one and two, students will learn the basics of math concepts as they become fluent in addition and subtraction, as well as describe and analyze geometric shapes, relationships, and relationships. numbers and linear measurements. Grade 3 and Grade 4 Math courses teach multiplication and division up to 100, fractions, and basic geometry. Students also learn multi-digit multiplication and division, estimation, and more. The 5th Grade Math course focuses on introducing algebraic and geometric concepts. After fifth grade, students have a strong math foundation that helps them achieve success in future math courses.

Reading Comprehension and Language Arts: The language arts and reading curriculum provides students with a strong foundation for English literacy. Kindergarten children learn the basics of the English language such as the alphabet, upper and lower case letters, pronunciation, and the basics of speech and sentence structure. By first grade, Acellus students can form basic sentences while developing their spelling and pronunciation skills. In grades two through five, students develop knowledge of sentence structure, grammar, reading, and writing. Students practice writing personal narratives, poems, and plays, as well as explanatory, opinionated, explanatory, and comparative texts. By the time Acellus students enroll in middle school classes, they already have a strong understanding of the English language.

Science: Basic science teaches students to see and interpret the world. Beginning in kindergarten, students are introduced to the earth and the physical sciences, including plants, animals, and weather. Throughout elementary school, students learn about the different habitats, ecosystems, life cycles, resources, spaces of the Earth, etc. After students complete Science Grade 5, they will know about the physical world and is set for success in future science courses. Each science course includes lab videos that explain the lessons and demonstrate science concepts through experimentation. These videos bring concepts to life for students in a fun and engaging way.

Sociology: The study of society that provides the basis for how people interact with each other. Kindergarten students learn about basic social interactions, needs and wants, geography, countries, holidays and traditions, and technology. In grades one through three, students learn about different communities and their celebrations, environments, and histories. Social Studies Grades 4 and 5 focus on the history, government, and regions of the United States and introduce students to the wars, industrialization, civil rights of the United States, and more. These courses help students achieve success in future history and social studies classes.

3.2. Elective subject by block
Block electives allow students to experiment with interests outside of core subjects. In the American elementary education program, some elective subjects can be mentioned as follows:

Art: Students will develop fine motor skills, critical thinking skills, and creative skills. Using art elements and design principles as the main foundation, students will create their own artistic style. Students explore a variety of materials and learn artistic techniques in the creative process; develop the skills of observation and criticism to reflect on and analyze works of art. The Arts Department allows students to connect with all subjects, from Mathematics, to music and Languages.

Physical Education: Basic Physical Education courses integrate healthy lifestyle habits and activities, helping students stay physically healthy. Lessons are designed to help provide developmentally appropriate activities and build on the skills learned at each grade level. They also learn how to have a healthy diet, develop teamwork and sport in 60 minutes of daily activity. Students also learn how to set goals and how to achieve those physical goals.

Computer Science/Technology: Courses help students develop basic computer science skills through age-appropriate content. Students learn concepts such as algorithms, security, privacy, copyright, computer programming basics, and keyboarding skills. In addition to computer skills, Technology integrates standards from the Social Sciences, Health and Language Arts with topics at each level on safety and health, bullying/intimidation. online and be a responsible citizen. Large classes will complete research projects focusing on adaptive technology, social media, or robotics. Research projects require students to assess the credibility of websites, organize research, receive and implement feedback, and create a final product.

Spanish: Students learn the language through stories that provide a fun and positive learning experience. Each lesson is taught through an engaging, authentic story, giving students the opportunity to see and hear the language in context. Students will learn listening and speaking skills along with Spanish literacy skills. Courses provide audio and visuals for all types of learning so children have ample opportunities to listen, speak, read, write and record the language. Courses are built on connections to Hispanic culture through arts, celebrations and cultural traditions, orienting students to global citizenship.

Above is some information about the US primary education system. Hope the article is useful for parents and students.

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