Learning at Sunshine Gardens ES

At Sunshine Gardens Elementary, we believe that learning thrives in a supportive and caring community. Together, we empower students to grow academically, socially, and emotionally while building a strong foundation for lifelong success. Explore our programs and resources to see how we foster curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning every day.

Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

Sunshine Gardens Elementary supports families exploring Transitional Kindergarten (TK) as the first step in their child’s educational journey. Learn more about the TK lottery, application process, benefits, and what a typical day looks like at SSFUSD. You can also find tips on preparing your child for TK and what they should wear.

Learn more about the TK program (District page)

Classes

On this page, you can learn more about the programs we offer, including: English Language Arts, English Language Development (ELD), Mathematics, Physical Education, Science, and Social Studies.

Together, these subjects support student achievement and help prepare our scholars for success in school and beyond.

English Language Arts (ELA)

Program Overview

Elementary English Language Arts (ELA) instruction is based on the California Common Core State Standards to ensure students receive rigorous grade-level instruction. In grades K-5, students receive 120 daily minutes of literacy instruction which includes Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Writing.

Curriculum

Grades K-5 use Wonders from McGraw Hill as our adopted curriculum for K-5 ELA instruction, and UFLI for phonics in Grades K-2. In Transitional Kindergarten (TK), SSFUSD uses World of Wonders from McGraw Hill to support early literacy development.

Assessment

In Grades K-5, SSFUSD uses DIBELS mCLASS as a Benchmark Assessment which occurs three times per year: September, January, and May. DIBELS is also used as a Progress Monitoring assessment to measure students’ reading growth between our Benchmark windows. Families are provided with the DIBELS Home Connect Report which informs families of students’ reading progress over the span of the school year.

Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, SSFUSD will begin implementing NWEA Map Growth as K-12 ELA Benchmark Assessment.

English Language Development (ELD)

Program Overview

SSFUSD’s English Language Development (ELD) program supports multilingual learners in building the language skills needed to succeed in grade-level academic content. Students develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through both Integrated and Designated ELD.

In grades K–5, students receive 150 minutes of Designated ELD per week, focused on developing academic language, grammar, and vocabulary aligned to the California ELD Standards. Instruction is tailored to students’ proficiency levels based on the ELPAC and connected to grade-level learning.

Teachers are supported through ongoing professional development, including training in GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design) and CRLP’s linguistically responsive instruction.

Curriculum

Wonders (McGraw Hill): Core Designated ELD curriculum
National Geographic Learning: Look: Supplemental support for newcomer students

Assessment

Students are assessed regularly to monitor progress in English language development.

Initial ELPAC: Identifies English proficiency for newly enrolled students
Summative ELPAC: Administered annually to measure growth in listening, speaking, reading, and writing

Mathematics

Elementary mathematics instruction is based on the California Common Core State Standards. In grades K-5, students develop a strong foundation in number sense, operations, problem solving, reasoning, and mathematical communication as they learn to apply mathematical concepts to real-world situations.

SSFUSD uses Illustrative Mathematics (IM) from Imagine Learning as our adopted curriculum for math instruction and assessment in grades 3-5. IM supports students making meaning about math concepts in real-world contexts, through discourse, sharing of strategies, and a collaborative learning approach.

SSFUSD uses CA Math Expressions as our adopted curriculum for K-2 math; starting next school year (2026-27), we will use IM as our adopted curriculum across grades K-12.

Physical Education (PE)

Science

Elementary science instruction is based on the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). In grades K-5, students explore life science, earth and space science, and physical science every year. Rather than just learning facts, students are encouraged to think and act like scientists by asking questions, investigating real-world phenomena, and solving problems.

SSFUSD uses Twig Science from Imagine Learning as our adopted curriculum for all elementary students. Twig Science is aligned with the CA NGSS and supports students in exploring science through hands-on investigations and real-world connections.

Social Studies

Elementary social studies instruction is based on the California History-Social Science Content Standards. In grades K-5, students explore history, geography, civics, and economics. They build key thinking skills such as understanding cause and effect, connecting the past to the present, and using maps and primary sources like diaries and photographs.

SSFUSD uses CA History-Social Science from Scott Foresman / Pearson as our adopted curriculum for social studies for all elementary students

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In This Section

Learning at Sunshine Gardens ES

Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

Classes

English Language Arts (ELA)

Program Overview

Curriculum

Assessment

English Language Development (ELD)

Program Overview

Curriculum

Assessment

Mathematics

Physical Education (PE)

Science

Social Studies

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Links & Resources