Challenge
Arbor View Elementary
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
What is Challenge?
STEM
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Students in this program will be in the Challenge classroom three hours a week for STEM instruction, during their classroom math block. They will integrate their math learning into various projects and units including algebra, geometry, robotics, coding and problem solving.
LAH
LAH stands for Language Arts and Humanities. Students in this program will be in the Challenge classroom three hours a week for LAH instruction, during their classroom reading block. They will read literature, ranging from classics to novels in verse, informational text with a focus on current events and connecting to the global community, and poetry. Students will learn Latin as a form of word study and at each grade level there is a heavy emphasis on vocabulary. Throughout their time in LAH, students will engage in various writing projects from responding to reading to research. Many projects will include connecting to the outside community.
Contests
Beginning in grade three, all LAH students will participate in WordMasters. This is a cumulative vocabulary contest that engages students in word study (to a total of 75 words) and analogies. This contest is open to all students in grades 3 - 5, but there is a tryout that occurs in September. Beginning in grade two, all STEM students will participate in Continental Mathematics. This contest requires serious problem-solving skills and perseverance is the name of the game. Students will explore many areas of math and logic while preparing for the contests. Grades 4 and 5 STEM students will also participate in a Coding contest that challenges their problem-solving and algorithmic thinking skills. All contests take place during the school day.
