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Course Descriptions for Elementary Classes Communication Arts · Grade K | Reading and Writing This course lays the foundation for successful reading by using the primary building blocks of phonics instruction and daily exposure to and interactions with books. The student will begin phonics instruction by learning to name letters and associate letters with sounds. Tying in personal experience, the student will link letter names to words in his personal vocabulary. By the end of the course the student will identify consonant sounds at the beginning and end of words and will know the short vowel sounds. Skills are introduced through classic stories and poems and a set of twenty phonics-based story books. In addition to formal reading instruction, the student will establish a daily reading routine and will complete activities in response to self-selected books.
As the student learns to read, he will also learn to write. Language development will occur as the student discusses ideas and opinions with the Learning Coach. Listening and speaking will help the student learn grammar skills and correct sentence and story construction. The student will learn to print manuscript letters, words, and sentences with guided instruction and practice in the Handwriting workbook. Language skills and handwriting will come together as the student composes journal entries and short narratives.
Student Resources • Poems and Prose (Calvert School) • Sounds and Letters (Calvert School) • Kindergarten Teacher Aids (Calvert School) • Reading Work Pages (Calvert School) • Rainbows (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich) • Zaner-Bloser Handwriting K (Zaner-Bloser) • Sounds and Symbols Early Phonics(Calvert School) • Take Me to Your Readers CD (Little Planet Learning) • Reading and Writing B Lesson Manual • Primary Journal
· Grade 1 | Reading and Writing The emergent reader will blossom into a fluent reader as she progresses through this course. She will read and write daily, practice new skills, and uncover the patterns that are the foundations of words, sentences, and stories. The student will apply new skills to read and understand fiction and nonfiction stories presented in Houghton-Mifflin’s Legacy of Literacy anthologies and Phonics Library. Stories are organized into six themes. Examining literature through themes will help the student to not only make connections between the texts, but also to connect reading topics to his personal knowledge and interests. In addition to formal reading instruction, the student will establish a daily reading routine and will complete activities in response to self-selected books.
As the student learns to read, she will also learn to write. Language development will occur as the student discusses ideas and opinions with the Learning Coach. Listening and speaking will help the student learn grammar skills and correct sentence and story construction. Guided instruction and practice in Zaner-Bloser Handwriting will teach the student proper manuscript technique. Spelling instruction is tied to the phonics skills taught through the student’s stories. Language skills and handwriting come together as the student composes journal entries and compositions of increasing length and complexity.
Student Resources • 98 Stories for Children (Calvert School) • Stories and Longer Verses (Calvert School) • Reading Work Pages 1 (Calvert School) • Reading Word Cards 1 (Calvert School) • Activity Pages 1 (Calvert School) • Zaner-Bloser Handwriting 1(Zaner-Bloser) • Here We Go (Houghton Mifflin) • Let’s Be Friends (Houghton Mifflin) • Treasures (Houghton Mifflin) • Wonders (Houghton Mifflin) • Surprises (Houghton Mifflin) • Phonics Library: Blackline Masters/Take-Home Pads 1(Houghton Mifflin) • Take Me to Your Readers CD (Little Planet Learning) • Reading and Writing C Lesson Manual • Primary Journal
·
Grade 2
| Reading and Writing
Writing lessons target grammar skills and teach the writing process. Frequently, writing instruction is tied to the student's reading assignments. Guided instruction and practice in the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Workbook reinforce manuscript printing and encourage greater speed and accuracy in writing. Daily spelling instruction and practice occur in the student’s Spelling Connections workbook. Language skills and handwriting come together as the student composes journal entries and compositions of increasing length and complexity.
Student Resources • Rhymes and Verses (Calvert School) • Reading Work Pages 2 (Calvert School) • Reading Word Cards 2 (Calvert School) • Zaner-Bloser Handwriting 2 (Zaner-Bloser) • Adventures (Houghton Mifflin) • Delights (Houghton Mifflin) • Spelling Connections 2 (Zaner-Bloser) • Phonics Library: Blackline Masters/Take-Home Pads 2 (Houghton Mifflin) • Take Me to Your Readers CD (Little Planet Learning) • Reading and Writing D Lesson Manual • Primary Journal
· Grade 3 | Communication Arts In this course, the student will become more comfortable with reading and writing, developing an appetite for longer and more complex stories and compositions. He will become a more critical and insightful reader, learning to examine the author's purpose and point of view. He will read daily, practicing comprehension and phonics skills as he reads. The student will apply new skills to read and understand fiction and nonfiction stories presented in Houghton-Mifflin's Legacy of Literacy anthologies and Phonics Library. The stories are organized according to theme. These themes invite the student to view reading as a tool for information gathering, and help the student make connections between the texts. In addition to formal reading instruction, the student will establish a daily reading routine and will complete activities in response to self-selected books.
The student will learn to structure and write complete sentences and then create paragraphs and longer compositions. Writing activities teach the five stages of the writing process. The student will create compositions throughout the course by moving through the stages of planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. He will also write for a variety of purposes, creating letters, compositions, research reports, advertisements, and instructions. Grammar and language usage instruction is reinforced in the meaningful context of writing lessons. The student will continue to master the basic skills of writing with instruction in spelling, handwriting, grammar, and language usage. The Zaner-Bloser Spelling Connections workbook offers weekly spelling lists based on the patterns and relationship of letters within words. Daily practice activities reinforce the spelling strategies and give the student opportunities to use spelling words in context. Cursive handwriting is introduced and instructed with the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting workbook. The student will review manuscript writing before learning the basic strokes of cursive handwriting. During the remainder of the course, the student will master the lowercase and uppercase letters and learn to correctly join letters to make words.
Student Resources • Let’s Read a Poem (Calvert School) • Reading Work Pages 3 (Calvert School) • Reading Word Cards 3 (Calvert School) • Rewards (Houghton Mifflin) • Horizons (Houghton Mifflin) • Reader’s Library: Blackline Masters 3(Houghton Mifflin) • Smiling Hill Farm (Calvert School) • Activity Pages 3 (Calvert School) • Zaner-Bloser Handwriting 3 (Zaner-Bloser) • Spelling Connections 3(Zaner-Bloser) • Reading E and Writing E Lesson Manual
· Grade 4 | Communication Arts Classic and award-winning children's literature will carry the student across oceans and through centuries as tales of adventure unfold. Books read in this course include Robinson Crusoe, Famous Legends, and Island of the Blue Dolphins. Additional reading skills will be taught and practiced through workbook activities. Reading comprehension strategies taught in Critical Thinking include classifying, predicting, outlining, summarizing, inferring and evaluating. The student will develop the tools to understand vocabulary presented through a variety of reading material through exercises in Vocabulary Connections. This course also gives the student experience with a variety of writing tasks. Initially, the student will learn about the five stages of the writing process. He will create compositions throughout the course by moving through the stages of planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Effective planning tools will help the student create well-organized compositions. The student will begin the year planning with graphic organizers, then will use word planners, and finally will learn the basics of formal outlining. The student will write creative, factual, descriptive, artistic, and persuasive compositions that tie together all the skills learned in the course. In addition, oral language skills are developed with instruction in oral compositions, interviews, and discussion. The student will study the basic skills of writing through instruction in spelling, handwriting, grammar, and language usage. The Zaner-Bloser Spelling workbook presents weekly spelling lists that highlight the patterns and relationship of letters within words. Daily practice activities give the student opportunities to use spelling words in context. Handwriting exercises in the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting workbook teach and review the basic strokes of manuscript and cursive writing. Activities will help the student practice and self-assess penmanship as he becomes a legible, fluent writer.
Student Resources • Poetry Selections (Calvert School) • Vocabulary Connections D (Steck-Vaughn) • Critical Thinking Level D (Steck-Vaughn) • Famous Legends (Calvert School) • Island of the Blue Dolphins • Robinson Crusoe • Grammar and Usage F (Calvert School) • Activity Pages 4 (Calvert School) • Zaner-Bloser Handwriting 4(Zaner-Bloser) • Spelling Connections 4 (Zaner-Bloser) • Reading F and Writing F Lesson Manual
· Grade 5 | Communication Arts This course is designed to expose the student to novels and poetry. It includes an introduction to critical thinking skills during the beginning of the course year. Novels that share a common theme will enable the student to spend the year examining that theme from a variety of angles and perspectives. The theme for this course is courage. The selected novels include a fun read in American Tall Tales and a more serious, compelling one—Number the Stars. The units are built around the novels. Each novel's lessons focus on drawing the student into the reading by asking questions and offering activities that provide the student opportunities to reflect on life lessons learned thus far. The student will also examine the attitudes and behaviors of the characters from the stories. Critical thinking skills are intertwined with novel activities in order to sharpen the student's analytical abilities. Reading comprehension picks up where the critical thinking lessons end. This will allow the student to practice identifying main ideas and themes in any given reading passage.
The basic writing content concentrates on writing quality sentences, organizing paragraphs, summary writing, and adding detail to writing. Grammar is included in this course to provide year-long exposure to the parts of speech and their functions. Writing conventions are also covered to ensure the student can punctuate appropriately. Spelling is worked into the course with Zaner-Bloser’s Spelling Connections. High-frequency spelling words, easily confused words, state names, abbreviations, and common transitional words are used to build every spelling list. The student will see the practical use of these words as soon as he begins the lessons. In addition to the course content, we utilize personal journals as an opportunity for the student to write on topics of personal interest, about his particular feelings, or just for fun and creativity.
Student Resources • Reading Comprehension Level E (Steck-Vaughn) • Critical Thinking Level E (Steck-Vaughn) • American Tall Tales (Puffin Books) • Number the Stars • Shiloh • The Sign of the Beaver • Activity Pages 5 (Calvert School) • Grammar and Usage G (Calvert School) • Spelling Connections 5 (Zaner-Bloser) • Reading G and Writing G Lesson Manual
Mathematics
· Grade K | Mathematics This course is an introduction to math and mathematical thinking. The Calvert series textbook, Calvert Math, and the Practice and Enrichment Workbook are the primary resources for this course. The student will learn to make comparisons between objects and learn basic shapes. He will learn to write numbers and count through 31. The student will get ready to add and subtract through stories. Additionally, he will have the chance to work hands-on as he studies money, time, fractions, and measurement. Throughout the course, the student is given the opportunity to apply the skills learned in different ways. Problem-solving activities are found in each unit.
Student Resources • Calvert Math (Calvert School) • Calvert Math Practice and Enrichment Workbook (Calvert School) • Math B Lesson Manual • Blue, Red, and Yellow Cubes (each color set of 20)
· Grade 1 | Mathematics In this course, the student will learn facts and strategies for adding and subtracting numbers through 18. The Calvert series textbook, Calvert Math, and the Practice and Enrichment Workbook are the primary resources for this course. By the end of the course, the student will be able to write and count to 100. Additionally, the student will have the chance to work hands-on as he studies money, time, geometry, fractions, and measurement (customary and metric units). The student will gain an understanding of the practical applications of these skills if he helps with activities such as shopping (money), scheduling (time), and cooking (fractions and measurement). Throughout the course, the student is given the opportunity to apply the skills learned in different ways. Problem-solving activities are found in each unit.
Student Resources • Calvert Math 1 (Calvert School) • Calvert Math Practice and Enrichment Workbook 1(Calvert School) • Math C Lesson Manual • Blue, Green, Red, White, and Yellow Cubes (each color set of 10)
· Grade 2 | Mathematics In this course, the student will learn facts and strategies for adding and subtracting numbers in the hundreds with regrouping. The Calvert series textbook, Calvert Math, and the Practice and Enrichment Workbook are the primary resources for this course. By the end of the course, the student will be able to compare and order numbers to 1,000. Additionally, the student will have the chance to work hands-on as he studies time, money, geometry, fractions, and measurement (customary and metric units). The student will gain an understanding of the practical applications of these skills if he helps with activities such as shopping (money), scheduling (time), and cooking (fractions and measurement). Throughout the course, the student is given the opportunity to apply the skills learned in different ways. To assist with this, the student studies the problem-solving process. A four-step problem-solving plan is taught and several problem-solving activities are found in each unit.
Student Resources • Calvert Math 2 (Calvert School) • Calvert Math Practice and Enrichment Workbook 2 (Calvert School) • Math D Lesson Manual • Blue, Green, Red, White, and Yellow Cubes (each color set of 10)
· Grade 3 | Mathematics In this course, the student will learn facts and strategies for adding and subtracting numbers in the hundreds with regrouping, and adding and subtracting money. The Calvert series textbook, Calvert Math, and the Practice and Enrichment Workbook are the primary resources for this course. Multiplication and division facts and patterns are taught in such a way to give the student a conceptual understanding of the operations and how they affect numbers. The student will explore statistics as he learns to create graphs and do experiments to learn about probability. Additionally, the student has the chance to work hands-on as he studies time, money, geometry, fractions, decimals, and measurement (customary and metric units). The student gains an understanding of the practical applications of these skills if you let him help with activities such as shopping (money and decimals), scheduling (time), and cooking (fractions and measurement). Throughout the course, the student is given the opportunity to apply the skills he has learned in different ways. To assist with this, the student will study the problem-solving process. A four-step problem-solving plan is taught and numerous problem-solving strategies and skills are introduced and practiced. Many of these are then applied to different types of problems.
Student Resources • Calvert Math 3 (Calvert School) • Calvert Math Practice and Enrichment Workbook 3(Calvert School) • Math E Lesson Manual • Blue, Green, Red, White, and Yellow Cubes (each color set of 10)
· Grade 4 | Mathematics
In this course, the student expands his skills in all four
operations. The Calvert series textbook, Calvert Math,
and the Practice and Enrichment Workbook are the primary
resources for this course. Addition and subtraction are
practiced with six-digit numbers. Basic facts in multiplication
and division are reviewed and then these operations are
practiced with four-digit numbers. With these skills in
hand, the student will add and subtract fractions and decimals.
Measurement is a hands-on unit that covers both customary and
metric units of length, capacity, and weight. The student will
have the opportunity to study polygons and solid figures in the
geometry unit.
Student Resources • Calvert Math 4 (Calvert School) • Calvert Math Practice and Enrichment Workbook 4 (Calvert School) • Math F Lesson Manual
· Grade 5 | Mathematics The focus of previous courses has been using the four operations with whole numbers. The Calvert series textbook, Calvert Math, and the Practice and Enrichment Workbook are the primary resources for this course. In this course, the student will further refine his skills in all four operations, as the operations are practiced with greater and greater numbers. However, the student will now use the operations in combining decimals and fractions. Measurement is a hands-on unit that covers both customary and metric units of length, capacity, and weight. The student will use formulas to find the perimeter, area, and volume of objects including the circumference of a circle. The student will also learn to combine measurements, including renaming. The study of geometry will get more complicated as the student learns more about polygons and solid figures. The student will learn how to translate figures in a plane. Finally, the student will extend his knowledge of graphing to include circle graphs and will be able to use statistics to make predictions. Throughout the course, the student will be given the opportunity to apply the skills learned in different ways. To assist with this, the student will study the problem-solving process. A four-step problem-solving plan is taught and numerous problem-solving strategies and skills are introduced and practiced. Many of these will then be applied to different types of problems. Student Resources • Calvert Math 5 (Calvert School) • Calvert Math Practice and Enrichment Workbook 5 (Calvert School) • Math G Lesson Manual
Science
· Grade K | Science Throughout this course the student will engage in activities designed to stimulate curiosity and highlight the surrounding environment. The Macmillan/McGraw-Hill book, Science in Your World, and the accompanying Science Activity Pages will be the primary resources for this course. The course encourages the student to begin to explore two major branches of Science by observing, describing, measuring, and questioning the immediate world. The opening unit introduces the student to the basics of the scientific method. The Life Science units allow him to examine the living world. The Earth and Space Science units provide the opportunity for the student to acknowledge patterns on Earth and in the sky. Throughout the course the student will be recording daily observations about the weather, the moon, and everyday habits. In addition, he will build an instrument, create a seasons collage, plant seeds, make a bird feeder, and take part in many other fun scientific activities.
Student Resources • Science in Your World (Macmillan/McGraw-Hill) • Science Activity Pages (Calvert School) • Science B Lesson Manual
· Grade 1 | Science Science is everywhere! Throughout this course, the student will actively engage in viewing the world scientifically by observing, discussing, collecting, measuring, analyzing, and asking questions. The McGraw-Hill/National Geographic series textbook, Science, and the Activity Pages are the primary resources for this course. The student will begin exploring the three major branches of science and will learn fundamental concepts of these disciplines as he performs hands-on activities. The opening unit introduces the student to the scientific method. The Life Science units continue the student's exploration of the living world. The Physical Science units introduce the student to the concepts of matter and motion. The Earth and Space Science unit provides the opportunity for the student to observe and record the cycles of the weather, seasons, moon, and stars. In this course, the student will create and maintain a daily weather chart, construct a model of a pond ecosystem, make a puppet, build a kite, and participate in other exciting activities. The lessons in this course are designed to accommodate many learning styles, and to provide a variety of opportunities for the entire family to participate in the student’s education. Some lessons, or groups of lessons, in each unit are activity-centered, which allow the student to engage the new concepts he encounters through exploration and discovery; others are more traditional, requiring the student to read, research, and reflect on the underlying theory. The student may choose to read and review a fiction or nonfiction book about the subject being studied, undertake a project that reflects a particular personal interest, or participate in an appropriate online interactive experience. The student may include others in a longer-term project such as creating a family garden, or by visiting and reporting on a trip to a farm, zoo, nature center, aquarium, or museum. Student Resources • McGraw-Hill Science 1(McGraw-Hill) • Activity Pages 1 (Calvert School) • Science C Lesson Manual
· Grade 2 | Science Studying science helps us understand the world around us as well as the world that existed before us. Throughout this course the student will not only be investigating the surrounding environment, but also environments of the past and various environments around the world. The McGraw-Hill/National Geographic series textbook, Science, and the science kit are the primary resources for the course. The student will study the major branches of science as he performs hands on activities. The opening unit introduces him to the responsibilities of archaeologists and continues the exploration of the scientific method. The Life Science unit investigates the importance of vegetation and water. The Earth Science unit examines clues to the Earth's past. The Physical Science units provide the opportunity for the student to measure forms of energy and investigate forces. In this course the student will research like an archaeologist, make a model of a dinosaur skeleton, build a couple of simple machines, create a model of a cave, and do much, much more! The lessons in this course are designed to accommodate a variety of learning styles, and to provide a variety of opportunities for the entire family to participate in the student’s education. Some lessons, or groups of lessons, in each unit are activity-centered, which allow the student to engage the new concepts he encounters through exploration and discovery; others are more traditional, requiring the student to read, research, and reflect on the underlying theory. The student may choose to read and review a fiction or nonfiction book about the subject being studied, undertake a project that reflects a particular personal interest, or participate in an appropriate online interactive experience. The student may include others in a longer-term project such as creating a family garden, or by visiting and reporting on a trip to a farm, zoo, nature center, aquarium, or museum.
Student Resources • McGraw-Hill Science 2 (McGraw-Hill) • Science Activity Pages 2 (Calvert School) • Science D Lesson Manual • Science Kit
· Grade 3 | Science
Science provides a
way for people to actively learn about the world around them.
Throughout this course the student will continue to perform
hands-on activities to explore organisms, investigate changes,
and examine the solar system. The McGraw-Hill/National
Geographic series textbook, Science, and the science
kit are the primary resources for this course. The opening unit
introduces sea exploration and reviews the scientific method.
The Life Science units describe and analyze components of
the the living world. The Earth and Space Science units detail
Earth's composition and the relationships between the Earth,
moon, and sun. The Physical Science unit explores the properties
of matter.
Student Resources • McGraw-Hill Science 3(McGraw-Hill) • Science E Lesson Manual • Science Kit
· Grade 4 | Science
Science is an
adventure in which everyone can take part! Throughout this
course the student will be participating in scientific
investigations of many different forms including simple
observations, experiments, and long-term projects. Results from
these investigations will provide information about the
surrounding world. The McGraw-Hill/National Geographic textbook,
Science, and the science kit are the primary resources
for this course. The opening unit continues the exploration of
the jobs of scientists and the scientific method. The Life
Science units examine the commonalities and differences of
organisms. The Earth Science units provide an opportunity for
the student to investigate animal tracks and explore ways to
conserve water. The Physical Science units enable the student to
investigate the composition and use of different forms of
energy. In this course the student will build a terrarium,
create cell models, construct electrical circuits, and do much,
much more!
Student Resources • McGraw-Hill Science 4 (McGraw-Hill) • Activity Pages 4 (Calvert School) • Science Kit • Rock and Mineral Kit • Science F Lesson Manual
· Grade 5 | Science
Science is an ongoing
process that constantly renders new discoveries! Throughout this
course the student will be sharpening his investigative skills
and expanding upon his existing knowledge in order to make his
own new discoveries. The McGraw-Hill/National Geographic series
textbook, Science, and the science kit are the primary
resources for the course. The opening unit continues to explore
the jobs of scientists and the scientific method. The Life
Science units continue to investigate the living world. The
Physical Science units examine the characteristics of matter,
sound, and light. The Earth Science units provide an opportunity
for the student to design experiments to investigate Earth's
composition and the factors that affect its composition.
Student Resources • McGraw-Hill Science 5 (McGraw-Hill) • Activity Pages 5 (Calvert School) • Science G Lesson Manual • Science Kit
Social Studies
· Grade K | Social Studies In this course the student will be introduced to fundamental social studies skills and content. Through discussion with the Learning Coach, she will investigate the world around her. Specifically, the student will begin to learn about her nation, family, and community. Some topics include major holidays, various jobs, roles of individuals within the community, and famous people. Moreover, she will be introduced to the concept of current events. An introduction to basic chronology and discussion of days, weeks, months, and years is also included as part of this course. Additionally, some basic geography content will be introduced, thus laying the groundwork for future Geography courses. For example, the student will discuss different types of landforms and various methods of transportation. This course provides a valuable opportunity for her and the Learning Coach to begin a dialogue about many different subjects. Additional topics discussed as part of this course include: responsibility, friendship, manners, and goals. Meaningful activities that serve to enrich the student’s understanding of the discussion topics accompany many of the lessons.
Student Resources • Social Studies B Lesson Manual
· Grade 1 | Social Studies What is social studies? It is the study of all the many ways people all over the world live and relate with each other. In this course, your student will be introduced to the study of history, geography, civics, and economics. By exploring biographies of well-known explorers, pioneers, inventors, and political figures, your student will gain an understanding of the past as it relates to the present. Your student will examine stories about significant events, such as the first Thanksgiving and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Basic geography skills will be introduced as your student explores the five themes of geography—place, location, regions, movement, and human/environment interactions—within the context of his surroundings. In addition, your student will learn about the basic concepts of government and economics. Basic social studies skills are introduced, such as understanding chronology and distinguishing fact from opinion. Calvert School’s Explore Your World series and Steck-Vaughn’s Maps, Globes, Graphs provide the basis for instruction. These workbooks offer exercises and activities to help your student develop fundamental Social Studies skills.
Student Resources • Explore Your World I (Calvert School) • Maps, Globes, Graphs Level A (Steck-Vaughn) • Activity Pages 1 (Calvert School) • Social Studies C Lesson Manual • Inflatable Globe
· Grade 2 | Social Studies Explore your world! In this course, your student will study geography, history, civics, and economics. Biographies of well known figures and their contributions to society, such as Florence Nightingale, George Washington Carver, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Martin Luther King, Jr., and many more, will enhance your student's understanding of the past as it relates to the present. Your student will examine significant historical events, such as the Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. Basic geography skills will be enhanced as your student continues to explore the five themes of geography—place, location, regions, movement, and human/environment interactions—within the context of his surroundings. In addition, your student will learn about the basic concepts of government including rules, citizenship, and authority. Basic economics concepts such as consumers and producers and working and saving will also be introduced. Calvert School’s Explore Your World series and Steck-Vaughn’s Maps, Globes, Graphs provide the basis for instruction. These workbooks offer exercises and activities to enhance and enrich your student's understanding of the concepts discussed in the lessons. This course will make social studies meaningful to your student and will act as a springboard to questions, discussion, and learning.
Student Resources • Explore Your World II (Calvert School) • Maps, Globes, Graphs Level B (Steck-Vaughn) • Activity Pages 2 (Calvert School) • Social Studies D Lesson Manual
· Grade 3 | Missouri Social Studies This Social Studies course includes history, civics, geography, and economics lessons. History and civics are taught using A Child's Study of Famous Americans. This book provides biographies of notable American leaders, scientists, humanitarians, writers, and explorers. Each story includes basic biographical information about the individual as well as his or her contribution to American culture. As part of this study, the student will learn about the basic tenets of the American political system, such as the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the three branches of government. The U.S. Constitution and You and How the U.S. Government Works support the civics-based lessons. Neale S. Godfrey’s Ultimate Kids’ Money Book provides the basis for economics lessons. As part of economics, the student will be introduced to basic economic concepts such as money, prices, supply and demand, and taxes. The student will also begin to examine factors that contribute to personal economic decisions. The economics lessons are taught with a focus on the local economy.
Within the context of communities, the student will review the five themes of geography—place, location, regions, movement, and human/environment interactions. Additionally, the student will continue to add to his inventory of basic geography skills, including using map symbols and intermediate directions; reading various types of maps, graphs, and timelines; making simple maps; and using map grids to plot locations. Furthermore, the student will be introduced to the concepts of natural resources and various types of landforms. Steck-Vaughn’s Maps, Globes, Graphs provides the basis for instruction.
Student Resources • Maps, Globes, Graphs Level C (Steck-Vaughn) • Activity Pages 3 (Calvert School) • A Child’s Study of Famous Americans (Calvert School) • How the U.S. Government Works (Barron’s) • The U.S. Constitution and You (Barron’s) • Ultimate Kid’s Money Book (Simon and Schuster) • Geography E and Social Studies E Lesson Manual
· Grade 4 | Missouri Social Studies This course builds upon the geography skills taught in previous courses and introduces the study of continents. The student will continue his study of the five themes of geography, and learn to use longitude and latitude to find locations, distinguish between different types of maps and identify their uses, and understand the Earth’s rotation around the sun. Students will compare the population distribution and political divisions among continents, while also studying their landforms, vegetation, and resources.
This course also introduces Missouri state history. The student will trace the state’s history from the early history of Native Americans up until the 20th century. The course focuses on the state's people, economy, resources, and geography. The student will also learn about the structure and functions of local and state governments.
Student Resources • Geography Workbook 4 (Calvert School) • Discovering Maps (Hammond World Atlas Corporation) • Missouri State History Materials and Geography F Lesson Manual
· Grade 5 | Missouri Social Studies In this course, the student will study United States history. This course takes both a thematic and chronological approach to U.S. history. The student will trace U.S. history from the time of the earliest Americans through the 21st century. The course begins by describing the geography of America. The student will also learn about the native people who inhabited America prior to European exploration and colonization.
Concurrent to lessons on U.S. history, the student will study United States geography, as well as the geography of the Western Hemisphere including North America, South America and Latin America. The student will study each of the 50 states with regard to climate, resources, industries, national parks and monuments, landforms, waterways, and population. The student will also study each state within the larger context of its region, and learn how states are organized into regions, and identify the characteristics that define each region.
Student Resources • Build Our Nation (Houghton-Mifflin) • Activity Pages 5 (Calvert School) • Student Atlas (Pearson/Scott Foresman) • Build Our Nation (Houghton-Mifflin) • Geography G and Social Studies G Lesson Manual
Electives
· Foreign Language | Spanish
o Exploratory Spanish (Kindergarten) This course is an appetizer before the main Spanish course. It is meant for absolute beginners, as it introduces many basic words and a few common Spanish expressions in a very informal, fun way. Songs and information on Hispanic culture help build interest in developing additional Spanish-speaking skills. Sentence structure is not emphasized. This course is meant to prepare the student for more structured exploration and mastery of the Spanish language.
o Children’s Spanish I This course uses the concept of a treasure hunt on a Spanish-speaking island to build motivation for learning the language. Each unit is based on a story the young characters must understand in order to gain clues for the treasure hunt. Thus, the motivation to learn words and sentence structures is built into the adventure. This course employs a unique approach to foster fluency quickly and easily. Each story is told first in English, with some of the words that can be understood from context spoken in Spanish. Next, Spanish words and phrases from the story are introduced, paired with one specific picture per word or phrase. Then, the same story is retold using more Spanish and less English. Students then complete related activities which prepare them to understand the story almost completely in Spanish. This approach encourages quick mastery and helps the student to think in Spanish, rather than in English. The course focuses on spoken Spanish, but exposure to reading and writing is an added benefit. Fascinating information on Hispanic culture is gracefully interwoven into the adventure story.
o Children’s Spanish II This course uses a mystery story spread across several Spanish-speaking countries as a foundation on which to build motivation for learning more of the language. The young characters need to know Spanish vocabulary in order to find the clues. Children's Spanish II uses a unique approach to building Spanish fluency quickly and easily. Each story is told first in English, with some of the words that can be understood from context spoken in Spanish. Next, Spanish words and phrases from the story are introduced and paired with one specific picture per word or phrase. Then, the same story is retold using more Spanish and less English, with the pictures presented for the students to follow. After more story-related activities for these same expressions, the story is retold one last time, completely, or almost completely in Spanish. As a result of the activities, the student is prepared to understand and retell the story in Spanish. The course focuses on spoken Spanish, but there is more exposure to reading and writing than in Children's Spanish I. Fascinating information on Hispanic culture is gracefully interwoven into the adventure stories.
o Children’s Spanish III In this course, the student will continue to explore the Spanish language by listening to the adventures of Tony and Lisa, and their Grandpa Glen. This course engages the student through the use of storytelling and solving puzzles and allows the student the opportunity to be an active participant in the adventure. The Spanish III course encourages the development of language skills by incorporating more Spanish into the stories. By the end of the course, the student will be able to read and understand passages written entirely in Spanish. The vocabulary learned in Spanish II will help the student adapt to the faster pace of this course, and become a more independent learner.
· Foreign Language | French
o Children’s French I Traditionally, when learning a language, most of one’s time is spent learning complex grammar rules, listening to lectures, and drilling vocabulary. This course, however, takes a different approach. When children learn their native language, it is not through studying grammar and memorizing long vocabulary lists. Instead, they learn by listening to others, and in turn, grasp a functional fluency in the language. In this course, the student will gain mastery by listening, speaking, and writing in the French language. Some of these activities involve singing, acting, drawing, telling stories, and interactive games.
o Children’s French II Building on vocabulary learned in French I, in this course the student will complete various exercises by listening, speaking, and writing in the French language. Some of these activities involve singing, acting, drawing, and telling stories. In addition, the student will be exposed to various activities that foster mastery of concepts and themes from the adventure stories.
o Children’s French III Building on vocabulary learned in French II, in this course the student will complete various exercises by listening, speaking, and writing in the French language. Some of these activities involve singing, acting, drawing, telling stories, and much more. By the end of the course, the student will be able to read and understand passages written entirely in French. The student will quickly adapt to the faster pace of this course, and become a more independent learner.
· Technology Literacy
o Educational Technology and Online Learning B – Kindergarten At the kindergarten level, the Educational Technology and Online Learning course introduces basic computer skills and computer-related terms. In addition to basic computer operations, the course also covers the identification and naming of computer components and the recognition of keyboard letters and numbers. The course also includes instruction on using the computer, with parental guidance, as a source to find information.
o Educational Technology and Online Learning C – First Grade For first graders, Educational Technology and Online Learning is designed to introduce basic computer skills, computer terminology, and the use of the Internet as an online community with rules and kid-friendly tools. Students also learn about proper placement of the fingers on the keyboard and how to write words and short sentences on the computer.
o Educational Technology and Online Learning D – Second Grade Educational Technology and Online Learning for second graders builds on previous courses, introducing students to using the keyboard to create short paragraphs and to using a printer. Students also use keywords on kid-safe search engines for research purposes and create simple multimedia projects.
o Educational Technology and Online Learning E – Third Grade Word processing, Web use, and online learning are the main subjects for the third grade course in Educational Technology and Online Learning. Students learn how to create, edit, and add images to a word processing document. They also use Internet safety skills for finding safe sources on the Internet to research various curriculum areas, and send and receive e-mail messages by following parent and school rules about e-mail usage.
o Educational Technology and Online Learning F – Fourth Grade This course introduces students to different technology focused occupations and provides a comprehensive look into word processing and spreadsheet programs, computer network basics, search engines, databases, and basic online learning principles. Internet safety skills are extended to recognizing spam, handling inappropriate e-mails, and finding and citing the appropriate resources for research projects.
o Educational Technology and Online Learning G – Fifth Grade Educational Technology and Online Learning covers file management, document creation, and advanced e-mail programs. Students also create multimedia projects citing copyrighted materials. Internet safety skills include identifying safe and age-appropriate gathering places and choosing secure passwords and screen names.
· Art
o Art B– Kindergarten In this course, the student will be introduced to basic art concepts including color, line, and shape. The student will proceed to work on his fine motor skills and explore his own artis |
