Curriculum: The Basics
Reading
We believe in the importance of teaching students to "learn to read" so that they can "read to learn." Literacy is not an end point, but a gateway, empowering students to seek, pursue, and discover independently. In addition to allotting ample time for instruction and practice, we incorporate literacy concepts into many aspects of the school day through enriching activities that explore print, phonological awareness, alphabetic principle, letter-sound knowledge, vocabulary, oral language, reading comprehension, understanding of genres, and the enjoyment of engaging with text. Arithmetic and Mathematics We begin with the study of arithmetic (the mechanics of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing) using a combination of workbooks, manipulatives, rote memorization, and games. Once students have mastered these skills, they move on to mathematics, which applies arithmetic to real-world situations and includes geometry, measurement, time, fractions, word problems, and graphing. We teach mathematics using workbooks, hands-on materials, and collaborative groups for problem solving. We do not allow the use of calculators. Handwriting Handwriting fluency is an important academic competency that requires specific, directed instruction--and a lot of practice. Learning to write "longhand" legibly develops fine motor skills, makes proper spelling easier, reinforces curriculum content, and helps children think and express themselves. Following the "Handwriting Without Tears" curriculum, our students typically begin learning to print in kindergarten and master cursive by the end of fifth grade. We do not use computers in the classroom. For more information, please visit Handwriting Without Tears. |
|
