Curriculum Overview

The curriculum used by Chandler Unified School District and Rice Elementary is aligned to the Arizona State Standards and Journey to Excellence Strategic Plan. These standards provide the framework for K-12 education, designed to provide students the knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary to succeed in introductory college courses, in postsecondary workforce education, or directly in a job.

Rice offers both Classic and CTA (Chandler Traditional Academy) programs which provide families a choice, based on each student's needs.

Students also participate in physical education, general music, technology, and library education. Students in grade 5 and 6 have the option of choosing general music, band or orchestra as an elective.

Additional information regarding our curriculum is available.

Our Mission

To provide students with knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to be lifelong learners and responsible citizens.

The Arizona Department of Education provides the academic standards that we teach. CUSD has broken those standards into performance objectives so that students can demonstrate benchmark competencies. This progress is monitored quarterly. In addition to language arts and mathematics objectives, science and social studies are regular parts of the curriculum. Students receive physical education weekly and participate in general music, library and technology classes. Fifth and sixth grade students may take band or orchestra in lieu of general music.

View CUSD Curriculum and State Standards by content area

Arizona Department of Education Academic Standards

Elementary Grading Guidelines

Elementary Student Handbook

Curriculum by Subject

English Language Arts (ELA)

HMH Into Reading is designed to enhance literacy skills and foster a love for reading among students in kindergarten through grade 5. This curriculum covers a wide range of reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. It includes both fiction and non-fiction texts, providing students to various genres and text types.

“My Perspectives” is the ELA program developed by Savvas Learning Company used in 6th grade to foster reading writing, listening and speaking skills while also promoting critical thinking and analytical abilities. It incorporates a wide range of literary genres, including classic and contemporary fiction, poetry, drama, and non-fiction text. It aims to expose students to diverse perspectives and engaging literature.

Spalding Education is an approach to teaching phonics and language arts that was developed by Romaldo Bishop Spalding. It is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in phonics, spelling, and handwriting, enabling them to become proficient readers, writers, and communicators. The method emphasizes explicit and systematic instruction to help students understand the structure and patterns of the English Language.

Thinking Maps is a visual learning and teaching tool developed by Dr. David Hyerle. The program provides a set of eight specific graphic organizers, known as “Thinking Maps” that are designed to help students organize their thoughts, make connections, and improve their understanding of various concepts and subjects. These maps serve as visual frameworks that support critical thinking and encourage students to engage in meaningful learning.

CUSD’s ELA Curriculum Information

Math

My Math

McGraw-Hill My Math is the program adopted for math instruction in grades 1- 5 to align with the Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards. My Math utilizes rigor, student engagement, and personalization to develop students’ understanding of math concepts. Specifically, My Math utilizes three components of rigor for math instruction: conceptual understanding, procedural skill and fluency, and application. Mathematical practices are taught in every lesson. Students use a wide-range of resources to interact with math in a meaningful way.

Parents and students can access My Math materials on the Student Portal. These materials include additional practice, the digital student book, virtual manipulatives, personal tutors, lesson animations with modeled examples and eHelp.

$Glencoe math logo$

Glencoe Math

Students in 6th grade work with the Glencoe Math Course I text to assist in developing full and rich math abilities as a preparation for junior high math. Rigor is built-in and supported throughout the program. The three components of rigor — conceptual understanding, application, and procedural fluency — are embedded in resources, lessons, and practice state assessments.

Glencoe Math meets students wherever they are in their learning. Assessments help you determine proficiency before, during, and after lessons. Differentiated instruction resources ensure approaching-level students master concepts before moving on, while beyond-level students are continually challenged. Glencoe Math supports higher-order thinking skills, real-world applications of math, problem solving, and a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Glencoe engages every student to help them develop necessary critical thinking skills.

The goal of Glencoe Math is to make math relevant and rigorous, so all students can achieve math proficiency. Glencoe Math is structured to help students grasp an entire concept and understand each step of it before moving on to the next one. Students are challenged with numerous practice problems and problems with real-world application. Each lesson includes higher-order thinking problems and spiral review.

Parents and students can access Glencoe Math materials on the Student Portal. These materials include additional practice, the digital student book, virtual manipulatives, personal tutors, lesson animations with modeled examples and eHelp.

CUSD’s Math Curriculum Information

Science

Chandler is proud to offer a rigorous hands-on approach to science for every student. Chandler students experience the adventure of discovering science through inquiry-based activities, project-based learning assignments, laboratory investigations, STEM projects, current literary analysis, and relevant technology that brings content to life.

Students in grades 5-12 design their own experiments for the district science fair, and many earn top awards at the state and international levels.

Chandler offers extracurricular activities such as science club, Engineering is Elementary, Environmental Club, Lego Robotics and opportunities to compete in STEM competitions with students across the country.

CUSD's Science Curriculum

Social Studies

Chandler Unified School District Social Studies is dedicated to helping young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world. Through integrated explorations of American history, world history, government, geography, and economics, students are given authentic opportunities to think critically, to develop an informed opinion, to research a topic effectively, to express their ideas both orally and in writing, and to listen to others who believe differently than themselves.

K-12 social studies students will engage in rigorous, intellectual work that encourages historical thinking skills, inquiry, depth, and relevance. CUSD social studies teachers also integrate the Arizona Literacy Standards in History/Social Studies to ensure all students are college and career ready.

There are numerous social studies related clubs and activities that encourage engagement in the study of social studies. Our K-6 students are actively involved Junior Achievement’s Biz Town, News Club, and in the Arizona Centennial Celebration. Our K-6 teachers work closely with the City of Chandler and the Chandler Museum to provide our elementary students with quality, relevant field trip opportunities to the city courts and Tumbleweed Park to experience “Daily Life in Chandler 1910-1920”. Our 7-12 students also have multiple opportunities to be involved social studies related clubs, including Model United Nations, Teen Court, and Academic Decathlon.

CUSD's Social Studies Curriculum