Our school is an inclusive school.  Students involved in general education; students with mild, moderate, and significant disabilities; and students considered talented and gifted learn together and from each other.   Therefore, we use and adapt Massachusetts Mathematical and English Language Arts Curriculum Frameworks to help all students learn and succeed. 

These standards are available on the website of the Boston Public Schools www.boston.k12.ma.us/teach/curriculum.asp. 
Classroom teachers will also share the standards for their grade and the curriculum that they use.  Our goal is that students will be working at or above grade level or that they will achieve objectives listed in Individual Education Programs. 

Like other Boston schools, the Henderson uses a workshop approach.  The workshop approach means that students start most lessons as a large group for a short presentation or “mini-lesson”.  Then they spend most of the lesson doing activities (reading, writing, problem-solving, computing, investigating, creating, etc.).  Then they finish the lesson with a little sharing. The workshop approach provides many opportunities for teachers to support and challenge students individually and in small groups at appropriate skill levels.

Our reading program, used by all Boston Public Schools, is called Reading Streets and is used in all of our K2 through Grade 5 classrooms.  We will continue to use 6 Traits Writing rubrics as we implement new writing curriculum maps created by BPS for writing instruction.  Our math program continues to be TERC2 for Mathematics.  Teachers will describe these programs and other instructional materials that are used with your child during Orientation on Thursday, September 15 from 5:30-7:30.

Our students also receive instruction in visual arts, music, movement, and drama. Technology is integrated into classroom  instruction at all grade levels.  This year, students will use iPads to increase access to the curriculum.  Students participate in hands-on activities in Science, Music, Art and Movement at all grade levels.  We also collaborate with many cultural agencies and universities to enrich the curriculum and support students' development.