Curriculum & Instruction
At Hickam Elementary School, we are committed to providing a comprehensive and rigorous academic program that prepares our students for success. Our curriculum and instruction are deeply rooted in, and rigorously aligned with, the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) Subject Matter Standards. These standards serve as the benchmarks of learning, outlining what students should know and be able to do at each grade level across various subjects. We believe in providing a well-rounded education that empowers every student to reach their fullest potential, grounded in the expectations set for Hawaii's learners.
English Language Arts (ELA)
Our English Language Arts curriculum focuses on developing strong foundational skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, while fostering a deep appreciation for diverse texts and ideas, all aligned with the Hawaii Common Core Standards for English Language Arts.
Beginning SY 2025-26: Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) & Amplify ELA
For Grades K-5, we will implement Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA). CKLA is a knowledge-rich ELA curriculum designed to build reading comprehension and writing skills by systematically developing students' background knowledge and vocabulary. It combines explicit phonics instruction and foundational skills development with engaging content that introduces students to a wide range of topics in history, science, and literature, fostering a deeper understanding across subject areas while aligning with the Hawaii Common Core Standards for ELA.
For Grade 6, students will engage with Amplify ELA. Amplify ELA offers a comprehensive and engaging curriculum that builds literacy skills through diverse texts, collaborative discussions, and argumentative writing, preparing students for the complexities of middle school and beyond.
English Language Arts Standards:
Revised Hawai’i Common Core Standards for English Language Arts (Fully implemented SY 2025-26)
Mathematics
Our mathematics curriculum provides a robust framework for developing strong mathematical understanding, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking skills, all in alignment with the Hawaii Common Core Standards for Mathematics. We focus on building conceptual understanding, computational fluency, and the ability to apply mathematical principles to real-world situations.
Curriculum Used: Into Math Into Math is a comprehensive K-6 mathematics program that emphasizes conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and problem-solving. It is designed to support students in mastering the Hawaii Common Core Standards for Mathematics, providing a balanced approach to learning with interactive lessons, differentiated instruction, and opportunities for students to explore mathematical concepts deeply and apply them in real-world contexts.
Mathematics Standards:
Science
Our science program encourages students to explore the natural world through hands-on investigations, inquiry-based learning, and scientific discovery. We aim to inspire curiosity, develop scientific literacy, and foster an an understanding of key scientific concepts across various disciplines, preparing students to meet the Hawaii Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Curricula Used:
STEMscopes (Grade 5): Stemscopes provides a comprehensive, hands-on, and inquiry-based approach to science education specifically designed to align with the Hawaii NGSS. It engages fifth-grade students through exploration, investigation, and critical thinking, covering core science concepts with practical applications.
Generation Genius & Mystery Science (Other Grade Levels): For other grade levels, we utilize Generation Genius and Mystery Science to deliver engaging and memorable science lessons. These programs offer captivating video content, hands-on activities, and discussion prompts that spark curiosity and make complex scientific ideas accessible and fun for all students, supporting their progression towards the Hawaii NGSS.
Science Standards:
Parent Guides to NGSS:
Social Studies
Hickam Elementary School is integrating the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards. C3 was developed for states to upgrade their state social studies standards and for practitioners — local school districts, schools, teachers and curriculum writers — to strengthen their social studies programs. Its objectives are to: a) enhance the rigor of the social studies disciplines; b) build critical thinking, problem-solving, and participatory skills to become engaged citizens; and c) align academic programs to the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies.
Social Studies Standards:
Hawaiʻi Core Standards for Social Studies (HCSSS)
Hawaiian Studies
Hickam students will receive an education program consisting of Hawaiian language, culture, and history.
Hawaiian Studies Standards:
Physical Education
The ultimate goal of physical education (PE) is to equip our students with the knowledge and skills to live a healthy and fit lifestyle. Our program is an integral part of the total education of every student from Preschool to Sixth Grade. The goal of PE is to improve physical fitness, skills and motor development, teaching self-discipline, stress reduction and experience setting goals. By doing this, we prepare students with the tools to be physically and mentally healthy for life. We hope your child will have a positive experience in this year’s PE program. These skills are aligned with the Hawaiian Content & Performance Standards III.
Physical Education Standards:
Health
All Hickam students are required to participate in health education, which includes a focus on knowledge and skills that support healthy lifestyles and are aligned with the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards for health education.
Health Education Standards:
Choose Love
The Choose Love Formula™ is based on the profound result of practicing the character values inherent in "Nurturing Healing Love," which are:
COURAGE: Courage is the willingness and ability to work through obstacles despite feeling embarrassment, fear, reluctance, or uncertainty.
GRATITUDE: Gratitude is mindful thankfulness and the ability to be thankful even when things in life are challenging.
FORGIVENESS: Forgiveness means choosing to let go of anger and resentment toward yourself or someone else, to surrender thoughts of revenge, and to move forward with your personal power intact.
COMPASSION IN ACTION: Compassion In Action is BOTH the understanding of a problem or the suffering of another and acting to solve the problem or alleviate the suffering.
Music
Our school’s Music program is rooted in the philosophy that the Fine Arts are an integral part of a child’s development. Due to this belief, general music classes are held once a week for all students. The curricular focus is on HCPSIII (Hawai’i Content and Performance Standards- in the area of Fine Arts – Music).
Music Standards:
Computer Science
Hickam Elementary School is integrating the CSTA K-12 Standards. Learning to use technology is essential to prepare our students to become future leaders. At Hickam Elementary, the accessibility to digital learning will be through:
Mobile labs
Computer labs
Web-based curriculum and instruction (Learning.com)
Computer Programs (i.e. Cospaces)
Online productivity tools (i.e. GAFE-Google Apps For Education)
Computer Science Standards:
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
Hickam Elementary School is committed to developing a college readiness culture. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a program that focuses on teaching the philosophies, strategies, as well as skills and behaviors that prepare all students for college readiness and success in a global society. The AVID experience at Hickam Elementary School will include the following four components: Student Success Skills, Organization Skills, WICOR Lessons, Partnerships.
STEAM
STEAM is an acronym referring to the academic disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. STEAM challenges students to learn and apply the content and skills across the board with real-life projects that not only use, but create up-to-date discoveries. At Hickam Elementary, STEAM education incorporates the “A” for the arts – recognizing that to be successful in technical fields, individuals must also be creative and use critical thinking skills which are best developed through exposure to the arts.
Gifted & Talented
At Hickam Elementary School, the personalized approach to learning helps gifted and talented elementary students grow—and thrive. Special gifted and talented classes, combined with a personalized learning plan, enable exceptional students to work above grade level and achieve their highest potential in the elementary gifted and talented program. The HES Gifted and Talented program includes inquiry-based learning and provides opportunities for students to research and problem solve across the curriculum. Our Gifted and Talented (“GT”) program provides pull-out, enrichment classes for identified 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade GT students.
Other Hawaii Department of Education Standards
Below is an overview of additional core subject matter standards that guide our instruction:
Career and Technical Education (CTE)