Curriculum

For the sake of academic excellence, greater equity and higher literacy, elementary and middle schools need to teach a coherent, cumulative, and content-specific core curriculum.

Our society cannot afford a two-tiered system in which the affluent have access to a superior education, while everyone else is subjected to a dull and incoherent classroom experience. Academic excellence, educational equity and fairness demands a strong foundation of knowledge for all learners.

— E. D. Hirsch, Jr.

The Core Knowledge Sequence is based on the realization that what children are able to learn at any given moment depends on what they already know–and, equally important, that what they know is a function of previous experience and teaching. Although current events and technology are constantly changing, there is a body of lasting knowledge and skills that form the core of a strong Preschool - 8th Grade curriculum. Specific identification of what children should learn at each grade level ensures a coherent approach to building knowledge across all grade levels. Every child should learn the fundamentals of science, basic principles of government, important events in world history, essential elements of mathematics, widely acknowledged masterpieces of art and music from around the world, and stories and poems passed down from generation to generation.

Core Knowledge provides a clear outline of content to be learned grade by grade so that knowledge, language, and skills build cumulatively from year to year. This sequential building of knowledge not only helps ensure that children enter each new grade ready to learn, it also helps prevent the repetitions and gaps that so often characterize current education. No more repeated units in multiple years on the rain forest, with little or no attention to the Bill of Rights, world geography, or exposure to other cultures. Core Knowledge sets high expectations for all children that are achievable thanks to the cumulative, sequential way that knowledge and skills builds. Teachers in Core Knowledge schools have assurance that children will emerge well prepared with a shared body of knowledge and skills.

A typical state or district curriculum says, “Students will demonstrate knowledge of people, events, ideas, and movements that contributed to the development of the United States.” But which people and events? Which ideas and movements? The Core Knowledge Sequence is distinguished by its specificity. By clearly specifying important knowledge in language arts, history, geography, math, science, and the fine arts, the Core Knowledge Sequence presents a practical answer to the question, “What do our children need to know?” Teachers are free to devote their energies and efforts to creatively planning how to teach the content to the children in their classrooms.

K-8 Core Knowledge Sequence information from the Core Knowledge® Foundation website.

Students in grades K-4 follow the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) program. This reading series aligns with social studies and science content taught at each grade level and incorporates classic literature. Phonics, spelling, grammar, and writing are all integrated into CKLA.

In grades 5-8, English Language Arts is centered around classic novels, short stories, and poetry. In addition, the Magic Lens grammar program, the Write Tools, Six Plus One Traits, and Write to Learn are used to enhance the development of ideas and voice in a student’s writing.

Reveal Math is a strategic, articulated sequence of topics that develops true mastery of concepts.Reveal Math addresses fewer topics in greater depth. Reveal Math uses manipulatives, visuals, and models that emphasize problem solving while building success and confidence. Math learning thrives on exploration, conversation, reflection and timely differentiation.

The Pearson History series exactly parallels the Core Knowledge history sequence in grades K-6. This along with non-fiction books, primary sources, and other resources support the study of history at all grade levels.

A variety of non-fiction books, hands-on activities, and other resources support the study of science and the scientific methods in grades K-8.

Additionally, all students receive instruction in art, music, technology, foreign language (French, German and Japanese), physical education, library (grades K-4), and character development.

Kagan Cooperative Learning -

Hopefully your children have come home talking about their days.  If you hear them mention “Round Robin”, “Rally Robin”, or other names of cooperative learning structures, or if they talk about working with different people in their classrooms you should ask them to tell you more.  These are part of the school initiative to create more opportunities for active engagement and for students to work together on their learning.  As was stated at the end of last year in leadership communication, this will be a focus for this year.  The teachers had training during the first weeks of August on the use of Kagan Cooperative Learning structures in their classrooms and they have definitely taken it to heart and are using it regularly.   It has been so much fun walking into classrooms and watching students interact and learn together.  What are Kagan Cooperative Strategies?