Our Curriculum

The Shire School draws from a wide variety of educational and therapeutic resources to provide a rich curriculum which emphasizes the whole child. Our curriculum considers each student's academic, cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development. Individualized reading programs are provided within a theme or unit that determines the literature, science and social studies for four to six weeks.  Themes the Shire School explored in the 2009-2010 school year include; the human body, farm and harvest, Space, geography (US and world) and the ocean. Numerous field trips are planned that relate to the unit of study.

Movement is a critical component of the Shire curriculum and students are moving throughout the day.  Students rotate between academic time and sensory motor work each morning.  Each child is evaluated in the areas of large motor, small motor, balance, strength, tactile, and visual perceptual skills.  Our sensory-motor teacher directs exercises and drills to strengthen areas of weakness.  We find tremendous progress is made academically when the children are consistently working on both motor and cognitive areas.

Small class size and intimate student-teacher relationships are foundational to the emotional and social growth of Shire students.  Teachers use a slower classroom pace in order to give the children time to think and express thoughts.  We work to ensure that each child feels comfortable in their class; so anxiety is reduced and confidence is built in relating to others.  Various approaches are used in developing games and activities that challenge students to grow socially.

Reading instruction is individualized using both a phonetic and whole word approach.  We currently use Wilson Reading Fundamentals, Reading A to Z, and Words Their Way. The Shire School uses TouchMath and Right Start Math. Teachers use a variety of multi-sensory tools for teaching math and language arts.

Art and music are a part of each day and reflect the current theme.

Inclusion Opportunities

The Shire School is located on the campus of Rivendell School in the heart of North Arlington.  Rivendell is an independent school serving grades K -8 with approximately 150 students.   Due to this unique setting the Shire students have daily opportunities to form relationships
with Rivendell students and teachers.  Shire students share playground time, participate in art and have a weekly buddy program with Rivendell
5th graders.