Curriculum  « Ancillary    «    Clubs « SDMC

Our Curriculum

TRADITIONAL
Askew offers Pre-Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. Most Askew students participate in the traditional program which employs the state and district mandated curriculum as well as a variety of enrichment opportunities.

MAGNET
The Askew Vanguard Program for grades K - 5 is a part of HISD's Magnet School System. The program provides for the development and implementation of a curriculum for the gifted and talented children who reflect the racial mix of the entire community. The overall goals of the Askew Vanguard program are to provide gifted students additional opportunities for developing their exceptional talent and pursuing their special interests within an environment that promotes divergent, creative, and critical thinking and reasoning skills.

BILINGUAL
The subject content in a bilingual classroom is identical to that in an all-English classroom except that Spanish speaking students are taught new concepts in their dominant language and are gradually moved into instruction in English as proficiency develops.

ESL
English as a Second Language (ESL) provides specialized instruction for students with limited proficiency in the English language gradually moving them to an all English curriculum in the regular classrooms.

SPECIAL EDUCATION
Behavior Intervention Classes (BIC)
Askew's BIC special education classes serve students who have been identified as autistic and require special services. These classes are very small (6-8 students) and are staffed with a teacher and teacher assistant who have special training. In order to qualify for these classes, students must be referred through their school or by their parents and are placed through the ARD (Admissions, Review and Dismissal) process.  

Askew classroom teachers regularly provide students instructional opportunities in art, music, computer, and physical education. Askew is fortunate to have special teachers in these and other areas where students participate in enriched instruction on a weekly basis.

Library

Students check out over 200 library books each day from the over 9,000 books currently available in the Askew library. The library supports classroom instruction, as well as the recreational and informational reading needs of all of Askew's students.

In open periods available for students to check out books, classes visit the library. Teachers can also visit the library with their classes during designated daily research periods.

Art
Our students are actively involved in a multi-cultural art curriculum. Students are involved in many activities this year such as developing self-portraits, learning of famous paintings and sculpting rain forest animals in clay. Not only are these projects displayed around school and featured at our yearly art shows, but are also displayed at community locations such as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and SYSCO. Art history is spread throughout the curriculum for enrichment.
 

Physical Education
Physical fitness, life long skills, and team work are the highlights of our physical fitness program. The community and students are enjoying our new one-eighth mile track which was funded primarily by the PTO.

Computer
A qualified computer technologist meets with every class weekly to teach computer skills. Students are exposed to a variety of software programs, keyboarding, spreadsheets, and databases. In addition, they have the opportunity to use a scanner, color printer, Macintosh computers, a digital camera, and other computers/multimedia equipment.

Drama
Kindergarten, first and second graders participate in theater arts weekly. They can be seen pantomiming animals, pretending to be fairy tale characters, and working on the stage with lights and plenty of action! Third and fourth graders also have the opportunity to try their thespian skills and get the chance to be the star of the show.

Science
A science specialist instructs students in a well equipped Science Lab, one or more times each week. The focus is a "hands-on" approach, where students can practice experimental methods individually or in small groups. Investigating, hypothesizing, recording and discussing are just a few skills utilized in this lab.

Community and parent volunteers lead small groups of students in experiments and lessons developed by the AMOCO Corporation. A container garden program has been expanded into our attractive and spacious Living Garden, an area that features grade level gardens, animal and plant life, and a small pond.
 

Music

Students participate in music weekly. They learn everything from lyrics and singing, to rhythm and instruments. Students learn vocal and instrumental instruction. Students learn patriotic songs as well as songs from around the world. Students learn to play instruments including recorders, drums and more.  Using a "hands-on" approach, students have the opportunity to see, feel and use many instruments from around the world. 
 

The Shared Decision Making Committee (SDMC) includes teachers, administrators, parents, community, and business representatives and provides advice and perception on planning, budgeting, improvement plans, and curriculum.