Course of Study Elementary
A course of study for kids who are elementary school
age. This course of study is based on one originally written by Carol Narigon.
It has been modified in various ways including changing wording, adding and
deleting material. Some material is from California state
standards.
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~The
World is Our
Classroom~
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Course
of Study
Elementary
Students
We believe that the family is the most fundamental
social institution and the preferred means of caring for, preparing, and
training children to be productive members of society. We promote and support a
family-centered education.
Our education
program, in which children learn primarily under the immediate direction,
guidance, and support of their parents and other caring and involved adults,
offers an outstanding educational opportunity by providing a natural learning
environment, extensive real-world experience, flexibility of schedule, and the
ability to respond to the specific needs and inclinations of the child. Each
student’s program is developmentally appropriate, integrated and fully
individualized, and continually built upon student strengths and interests
throughout the year.
English: students
will develop knowledge of, and appreciation for literature and the language, as
well as the skills of speaking, reading, listening, spelling, handwriting, and
composition.
Students will read from
self-chosen or parent-chosen literature on a regular basis and will engage in
reflection on those literature pieces in a variety of ways, such as: journal
writing, book reviews, conversations, drama based on the books, book clubs. Our
educational goal is for students to read for pleasure, to gain exposure to a
wide variety of genres, and to be able to reflect critically on what they read.
Students will read content-related
non-fiction materials to support their chosen areas of interest. They will
reflect on these pieces in a variety of ways, such as: journal writing, writing
articles for submission to magazines or newspapers, discussions, or development
of a scrapbook in an area of interest. Our goal is for students to learn to read
critically for information, to understand and be able to reflect on materials
read, to be able to compare them to other sources of information, and to learn
how and where to find written resources as
needed.
Writing, spelling and grammar
will be covered as part of our students’ natural writing processes.
Students will develop their ability to write creatively, to write letters and
lists, to create and write drama pieces, informational essays, persuasive
articles, etc. Our goal is for students to enjoy writing, to gain expertise in
both the writing process and in technical writing and editing skills, and to
develop a sense of power over the written
word
Science: students will develop their
knowledge of the biological and physical sciences, with emphasis on the
processes of experimental inquiry and on the place of humans in ecological
systems. They will relate these to areas of specific student interests by
engaging in hands-on activities, watching science videos, reading related
written materials, conducting scientific experiments, keeping journals, making
and recording observations, visiting scientists in their work places, visiting
local science museums, participating in science fairs and workshops, and through
cooperative learning. Our goal is for students to experience a wide range of
scientific exposure, to develop a positive interest in science, to learn to
think scientifically, to develop a respect for the work scientists do, and to
understand the importance science has in daily life and in the overall
environment.
Social Sciences: students
will develop their understanding of the social sciences and humanities by
reading and discussing fiction and non-fiction materials, participating in field
trips to historic and politically or culturally significant sites, or through
discussion and debate. Anthropology, economics, psychology, geography, history,
political science, and sociology are fully integrated into the students studies
in a wide variety of ways, such as: the use of time lines and maps, discussion,
journal writing, cooking, plays, road trips, invention building, field trips,
and art. Our goal is for students to develop a foundation for understanding the
history, resources, development, and government of California and the United
States of America; the development of the American economic system including the
role of the entrepreneur and labor; the relations of persons to their human and
natural environment; eastern and western cultures and civilizations; and
contemporary issues including the wise use of natural
resources.
Health and Physical
Education: Health and physical education will be fully integrated as a part of
daily living skills and participation in the wider community with an emphasis
upon the physical activities that my be conducive to health and vigor of body
and mind. Students will learn to care for their health and physical environment
in a variety of ways, such as: shopping for and preparing food, discussing the
necessity of a healthy diet, participation in fire drills and other emergency
preparedness activities, exercise both as play and as part of a structured group
experience and through camping, hiking, and other outdoor activity. Our goal is
for students to appreciate the necessity of a healthy body and to develop
lifelong habits of regular exercise and good
nutrition.
Visual and Performing Arts:
students will develop their knowledge of art, music, and drama through informal
and structured methods in a variety of ways, such as: art classes, instrumental
lessons, choral singing, listening to various styles of music, learning about
the people who have influenced music through history, or working on
individualized or group projects that relate to music, art, and drama, including
acting and performing in a variety of venues and genres. Our goal is for
students to enjoy a wide variety of art, music, and drama experiences, including
performance, while developing an understanding and appreciation of the
importance of art, music, and drama as creative expressions of human life
experiences.
Mathematics: students will
develop mathematical concepts, operational skills, and problem solving through
participation in daily real-world activities such as cooking, building,
shopping, budgeting, computing, etc. Mathematics materials will be chosen to
support students’ individual learning styles in order to achieve
competency in operational skills and insight into problem-solving procedures.
Our goal is for students to gain a strong conceptual knowledge of mathematics as
well as an appreciation for the daily applications of mathematics in their
lives.
Posted: Fri - January 30, 2004 at 08:13 PM