PRIMARY GRADES First Semester: Our first and second graders will be studying a variety of topics across the core subject areas in our themed unit, SYMBOLS from the gifted education publisher, Prufrock Press, written by A. Harrelson, M. Hennenfent, and B. McGee. This unit provides a look at the origins and use of various symbols. “Shields of old are compared to modern ”day mascots. Ancient symbols from the Chinese and Mayan cultures are investigated, and a search and study is made of practical symbols used for traffic, weather and directions. As students discover both concrete and abstract symbols, they will learn to appreciate the things they represent in our world.”
Second Semester:Students will dive into another unit from Prufrock Press entitled DISCOVERIES by B. McGee, D. Keiser, and A. Harrelson. “From the gold rush in California to the many uses of crayons, students explore the diversity and complexity of the concepts of discovery. Through the eyes of a tiny mouse, students are led to evaluate and discover what they are truly made of. Students investigate why discoveries from the past are so important to the present and the future and will come to see the value of curiosity and perseverance.
THIRD GRADE RELATIONSHIPS by Brenda McGee and Debbie Keiser First Semester: Book One - Ecosystems, Comparisons, and Power Students will explore the interdependent relationships between animals and plants. They will discover family relationships, peer pressure, fear, and power. They will compare rules and laws with our rights, and freedoms to determine the relationships between the government and its citizens.
Second Semester: Book Two - Environment, Cause and Effect, and Citizenship In this book, students will learn about the relationships found between people in a community, the relationship between humans and the environment, and the relationships in their daily lives. Through this study, students will be more aware of how their uniqueness helps them build and be part of many different kinds of relationships.
UPPER ELEMENTARY First Semester:The unit of study first semester will be Ancient Roots & Ruins: A Guide to Understanding the Romans, Their World, and Their Language. This unit focuses on the important role the Romans in shaping modern language, history, and culture through their contributions in the areas of language, philosophy, religion, literature, art, architecture, history, law, and government.
Second Semester:CSI Expert! Forensic Science for Kids by Karen Schulz, published by Prufrock Press. “Students often are taught skills such as the Scientific Method, scientific research, critical thinking, making observations, analyzing facts, and drawing conclusions in isolation. Studying forensic science allows students to practice these skills and see theories put into practice by using circumstances that model real-life events.
MIDDLE SCHOOL Middle School curriculum will be a combination of Critical and Creative Thinking units combined with advanced, multi-disciplinary lessons, projects, and other activities encompassing the English Language Arts (ELA), the Humanities (HUM), Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM), and Social/Emotional Learning (SEL). We will be exploring a wide range of topics to include Psychology, The Middle Ages, CSI History, and Forensics along with hands-on projects such as Stop-Motion film making, Podcasting, authoring Graphic Novels, and designing and building escape rooms! Last but not least, we will be forming three teams to compete in the Odyssey of the Mind regional competition.