The learning environment at Carman encompasses a wide variety of developmentally-appropriate activities, teaching methods, and technologies. From our PreK/K students working in their outdoor classroom and garden to our 5th-8th grade students creating videos with green screens and operating a 3-D printer, we utilize unique and creative methodologies for learning.

 

• Our curriculum capitalizes on the God-given curiosity of students stimulated by teacher-led instruction. Teachers love to use student-centered activities such as hands-on exploration, labs, music, art, and technology to guide students in exploring the world around them.

• Carman’s curriculum is in harmony with the philosophy of the North American Division (NAD) of Seventh-day Adventists and is based on the NAD Elementary Standards and recommended curricula.

• Standards, what learners should know (content) and be able to do (skills), serve as the framework for curricula. Standards in NAD Seventh-day Adventist schools reflect the Adventist worldview across the K-12 curricula as well as the integration of national and provincial/state standards

• Teachers regularly use a variety of both formative and summative assessments to adapt instructional content and practices. This allows the teachers to ensure that they are providing effective instruction and that students are acquiring skills and mastering standards.

 

Three times a year Carman also administers the nationally-normed Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) to grades 3-8 and MAP Fluency to grades K-2. MAP is a computerized adaptive test that helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to ensure students’ academic achievement.

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• Due to the adaptive nature of the MAP assessment, the data is only accurate when students understand the necessity to do their best. Teachers and parents must work together to encourage students to perform at their best at all times.