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Our highly academic general studies curriculum goes beyond the California State Standards, offering students an enriching learning experience. Each student’s unique learning style is addressed through differentiated learning instruction. Students are challenged to reach their learning potential through innovative teaching techniques, small group instruction, accelerated classes and student support. Students benefit from enrichment specialists in science, technology, library and the arts. Field trips and overnight trips broaden the curriculum beyond the classroom. The general studies curriculum provides a strong foundation of skills for academic success.
Language Arts
The language arts curriculum develops the communication skills of reading, writing, listening, speaking and thinking. A wide range of experiences, teaching techniques and the use of technology help learning come alive throughout the grade levels.
Reading
The reading program is taught through a comprehensive literacy approach promoting students to become motivated readers and derive knowledge and meaning from what they read. Students build sequential skills that help them to decode unfamiliar words, read fluently, develop reading comprehension skills, including the ability to analyze and infer, and appreciate and enjoy fine literature.
Writing
Writing instruction, using Writer’s Workshop, includes developmental and inventive writing in the younger grades building toward expository, narrative, persuasive and research assignments in the upper grades. The use of rubrics and portfolio assessment guides students through the writing process. Grammar and spelling instruction are an important part of the writing curriculum. A school newspaper and literary magazine are created for the entire school community.
Mathematics
The mathematics program creates a strong foundation for mathematic concepts and application to students' daily lives. Students learn sequential skills allowing them to problem solve, think critically and master concepts. Students use a multitude of hands-on manipulatives to assist in their understanding. Abstract thinking and reasoning become a cornerstone for the upper grade instruction. Pre-Algebra is taught exclusively in the accelerated, sixth grade math class.
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Science and Health
Science instruction in the lab engages students to learn about our natural world through inquiry and hands-on discovery. Students learn the scientific method: observing, classifying, communicating, predicting, making hypotheses, collecting, recording and interpreting data in each unit of study. Health education is taught in all grade levels and integrates with the science curriculum.
Social Studies
Social Studies units build an understanding of our world through the interaction of past events, geography, government, law, economics, cultures and science. The Social Studies curriculum focuses on decision making and its impact. Students engage in critical thinking skills, class participation, simulations, dramatic recreations and using texts as reference to make history and culture come alive and actively participate in the democratic process. |
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