Our primary purpose as educators is to cultivate and develop each person’s personality and talents within the limits of their potential as well as their capacity for learning. Being cognizant of the unique attributes and capabilities of each person, we endeavor to guide their total growth and development so each may become a competent, productive, and fulfilled member of society; aware of both their attributes and shortcomings, and capable of communicating their needs and desires. We share with the parent, therefore, a concern for all aspects of the person; their mental, physical, social, emotional, and moral growth and development.

We believe in and encourage the acceptance of people of diverse socioeconomic levels, ethnic groups, and religious and political affiliations. This appreciation, understanding and respect among individuals can greatly assist in our primary objective - the development of an able and useful citizen.

Mantua Township utilizes a balanced Literacy Approach to learning to read and write.  Our students receive reading instruction in whole group lessons with grade level material as well as in guided reading groups where students are reading material at their independent level.  During guided reading, students meet in small groups and receive targeted skill instruction to promote independence. Our students are encouraged to read independently for pleasure and silent reading is promoted at all grade levels.  Students also enjoy participating in Literature Circles, working in shared paired reading activities as well as small and large group learning activities.  The students are reading to make text connections to themselves, each other and the world.

Writing is an important form of communication and Mantua believes that all students need to learn to write well.  Writer’s Workshop and Writer’s Notebooks are critical components of the writing program that is integrated across the curriculum.  We utilize the John Hopkins RACE model to help our students focus on writing short constructed responses to questions posed in all content areas.

Learning to read is one of the most important and challenging steps in the education of a child.  Using a balanced Literacy Program with a reading anthology, leveled readers, authentic literature and writing strategies helps to ensure that we are meeting the needs of all of our students and providing them with learning opportunities to help them become independent readers and writers.

The Scott Forsman Reading Street Anthology program in first through fifth grade provides a balance Literacy Program that focuses on reading comprehension, analyzing text, writing, grammar and spelling. The students read a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres.  As a result, the students develop the ability to read, interpret and use information from multiple resources.  Our sixth graders have a middle school anthology that aligns with the anthology program currently used at Clearview.   Students are exposed to a variety of classic and modern day literature and research writing is a major component of the literacy block as we prepare our students for junior high school.

Students in kindergarten through sixth grade participate in small group reading lessons.  In kindergarten the students receive instruction in phonics through the Fundations program and guided reading using Rigby leveled readers.   Students in first through fifth grade utilize leveled readers that are part of the Reading Street Anthology series.  The leveled readers follow the themes of the reading units and reinforce the story vocabulary.  The leveled readers meet the needs of each child and fosters their growth as independent readers.  Our sixth graders meet in small groups to discuss their anthology stories and reinforce reading related skills.

Guided reading provides the opportunity for the students to work directly with their teacher on mastering reading skills.  Teachers work closely with their small groups and model reading and support children as they read.  Teachers work in small groups with students of similar ability.

Assessment and monitoring of student progress determines when a student may move to a higher leveled group.  The ultimate goal in guided reading is to help students learn how to use independent reading strategies successfully.

To complement the previous grades mathematics instruction, sixth graders utilize the Connected Math program which is also standards-based. Students continue to apply the open-ended, hands-on exploration with their peers to apply concepts to real life situations. This program is continued as they move to the middle school setting.

The Science curriculum has recently been updated to align to the 2009 New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and follows a discovery based model approach to learning key concepts in science. Students are involved in inquiry based lessons and utilize the scientific method to learn about topics in Earth Science, Life Science and Physical Science.   Each grade level has units in all three areas of science. Students learn about scientific concepts through reading a variety of text resources such as textbooks, articles, current news releases as well as library books and research texts.  The students are actively involved in project based learning activities.  Our Science curriculum includes mathematical and language arts based activities that help students explore and report on science concepts.

Our Social Studies curriculum promotes the exploration of past events and the connection to current events.  Students read a variety of resource texts such as textbooks, primary source documents and current event articles to learn more about our community, state, nation and world.  The Social Studies curriculum provides students with opportunities to read, write, interview and discuss human relationships over time and evaluate the effect of past events as they relate to our lives today. 

We are proud to be able to offer all of our students a comprehensive special area curriculum.   All students receive a full year of computer classes where they learn to type, explore the internet, research topics as well as create online projects such as movies, PowerPoints, interactive books and much more! All students attend gym classes twice a week.

 Our physical education program combines skill training with team based activities to promote a lifelong love of physical activity.  Students receive health lessons in their regular classrooms with their teachers. Health lessons are aligned to science and reading themes.

 Students visit the library each week.  They have library class every other week and select books during the week that they do not have a formal class.  Students are discussing and meeting authors, learning how to use a library automated catalog system and explore reading for research and pleasure.

Students in first through sixth grade have a World Language class that focuses on the Spanish language. Students explore culture, history, and current events while learning about Hispanic communities in our country and around the world. Students learn to speak Spanish quickly and are involved in exciting speaking and writing activities.

Students receive a half year of both art and music. In their music and art classes our students explore a theme that promotes an understanding of history and events that shaped the art and music of the times. They learn basic concepts and terminology and apply them to their activities and projects.  We are pleased to offer instrumental lessons for our students at J. Mason Tomlin where we have an elementary band program.  Students may also join the choir at J. Mason Tomlin.  Our upper elementary students perform for the school and community.