Duveneck's instructional program is based on what we know about children's developmental levels and the knowledge and processes students will need to be successful in the 21st century. Our students experience a broad-based curriculum that includes the core academic subjects as well as art, music, physical education, and health education. Teachers use a wide variety of instructional strategies: direct instruction, cooperative learning, discussion groups, hands-on experiences, individual projects, as well as independent work. Duveneck is implementing class size reduction in grades K-3, with 20 students per classroom. In 2002-03, class size reduction will also include grades 4 and 5.

Curricular and instructional improvement is a continual process in the Palo Alto Unified School District. We follow the California State Department of Education's curriculum review cycle and use the State Frameworks and standards as the basis for our instruction. Duveneck teachers serve on PAUSD subject area curriculum committees which hold meetings to discuss district standards, adopt materials, and plan evaluation procedures.

All of our teachers use a balanced approach in our Language Arts program, combining both phonics and whole language. We engage students in a wide variety of reading materials, both fiction and non-fiction. Students both "learn to read" and "read to learn" with core literature, leveled books, and numerous supplementary books. We teach phonics, punctuation, spelling, and grammar through reading and writing in order to provide useful applications for these skills. Children approach writing as a process in which they brainstorm, write a draft, revise, edit, and finally "publish" a piece of writing. Writing instruction focuses on the development of the "6-traits" of effective written expression.

Under the leadership of a parent volunteer, we publish a monthly newspaper of student writing. Using our school mail system, students can write letters to other students and teachers and have them delivered weekly.

Our History/Social Science program focuses on the study of history as a "story well told." We use textbooks, primary source documents, biographies, children's literature, and artifacts to make history come alive for children. This is also an area in which we integrate the use of technology such as using materials on CD-ROM for research and making Hypercards that can be shared with other students. In the library, students also have access to a modem that allows them to do further research using the Public Library.

In Science, Duveneck teachers use PAUSD's adopted program, FOSS (Full Option Science System). Students learn essential concepts and content knowledge along with the process skills of the scientific method. Science is a hands-on experience in which students engage in inquiry and experiments. Students enhance their reading comprehension skills through literature related to the science units. They strengthen their writing skills by using science notebooks. Additionally, many teachers supplement the teaching of science with field trips and in-class demonstrations either by parents or other experts in the field. All Duveneck students are encouraged to participate in a PTA-sponsored Science Fair.

Our Math program reflects a balanced instructional approach that focuses on conceptual development, basic skills, and problem-solving ability. All classrooms implement the PAUSD math program and a range of supplementary units. Students use concrete manipulatives, graphic representations, and abstract symbols to develop their mathematical knowledge and understanding, as well as their problem-solving and communication skills. Children are encouraged to use technology (such as calculators and computers) to practice arithmetic and increase their problem solving ability.

Children use technology for a variety of purposes. They have access to CD-ROMs and the internet for research projects, presenting their work not only via word-processed documents, but also using media such as hyperstudio and videotape. Students work on math skills and problem solving with graphing programs and educational games. A schoolwide computer lab ensures that all students acquire the skills necessary to use technology as a tool for lifelong learning. In the classrooms, students apply these skills to the curriculum. An upper-grade traveling laptop mini-lab enhances our capacity to integrate technology with the curriculum.

In addition to the basic curriculum, the staff and parents provide many enrichment opportunities for the Duveneck students. Duveneck's SPECTRA Art program enables all classrooms to receive this extra art instruction. Our SPECTRA Art program includes directed lessons, based on the principles of art and the work of masters, which encourage children to learn new techniques and experiment with a variety of art materials. P.E. and vocal and instrumental music, taught by district specialists, are weekly programs.