Primary School Curriculum Overview
Our curriculum and learning goals for students are aligned with the Illinois State Standards. Although the progression and sequence of the Illinois State Standards is an acceptable guideline, we believe they do not set a high enough standard for many students. Thus, our goals for Next Generation School students are set above the standards proposed for each grade level. Our students are challenged, stimulated and engaged at all times and work at levels that are academically appropriate for them. For example, our Primary A (Kindergarten) students work on 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade standards.
All specialty subjects are taught throughout the school year. We consider the fine and performing arts and physical education fundamental components of our students' formal education and personal development.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Two hours of each school day is devoted to language arts. Our curriculum emphasizes authentic reading and writing experiences. During that time, students engage in variety of activities designed to create successful, thoughtful and analytical readers and writers.
We use the Fountas & Pinnell curriculum for reading and the Lucy Calkins curriculum for writing; both utilize a workshop approach. Reading and writing are taught in tandem; as students engage in literature discussion activities centered on challenging and meaningful texts, they learn how to become more skilled writers. The teaching of spelling, grammar and vocabulary are integrated into the curriculum, in order to enable students to become more skilled communicators. These subjects are also taught explicitly, as specific skills and expectations are set for each academic level.
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MATHEMATICS
One and one-half hours of each school day is devoted to mathematics. We use the Everyday Math curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project. Everyday Math is an advanced, rich curriculum that emphasizes both problem solving and memorization.
The different activities built into the curriculum present students with opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and to practice different problem-solving strategies. Students gain increased confidence in their reasoning abilities and are thus more likely to challenge themselves in other subject areas. Everyday Math models the critical inquiry skills that will be required of students as they continue their education.
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SOCIAL STUDIES
Students learn history and geography as part of our social studies curriculum. The curriculum is part of a school-wide scope and sequence; units are explored for both their historical significance and for their modern, global significance.
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SCIENCE
Our science curriculum nurtures children's interest in the world around them by creating a positive, rich environment where they can explore and investigate their world. Students are given the opportunity to engage in meaningful and exciting scientific experiences. Students will learn science concepts and develop skills by engaging in hands-on activities, conducting experiments, explaining results and working with resources and various media.
The focus on experimental design, an area so important in the state and national science education standards, as well as in standardized testing, is just one feature that makes our science curriculum exceptional and invaluable. Our inquiry-based curriculum enables students to discover for themselves how exciting and rewarding science can be.
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SPANISH
Learning a foreign language is an essential component of the academic and social development of our students. Our Spanish program provides an active learning environment and encourages student participation. Students develop a facility with the language and an appreciation of different cultures.
Our curriculum incorporates the Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS), a methodology based on universal patterns of language acquisition. In contrast to more traditional methods, TPRS emphasizes frequent repetition of grammatical structures and vocabulary, enabling students to attain fluency with the language. TPRS reinforces skills and learning by combining different language acquisition components: comprehension, reading, writing and culture. Having developed their auditory comprehension abilities, as well as a familiarity with the sound and structure of the language, students more quickly take to speaking, reading and writing in Spanish.
FINE ARTS
Our art curriculum integrates the visual arts with history, social sciences, literature, math and science. Each art lesson is intended to enhance the classroom teachers' learning objectives through a creative, hands-on approach. Students will explore different media, including, but not limited to: sculpture, textiles, watercolor, acrylic paint, printmaking, drawing and collage.
The focus of the art program is to concentrate on creative expression more than the actual art product. We will encourage the students to find their ideas in the world around them and to interpret those ideas through experimentation with media and tools in the classroom.
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PERFORMING ARTS
The goals of the performing arts curriculum embody the Next Generation School philosophy that education in music and dance is essential to nurturing the cognitive, physical, social and emotional growth of children. Through musical and movement activity, students are empowered with a sense of joy, creative independence, self-worth, openness and confidence.
Our yearly goals meet and significantly exceed Illinois state curricular goals. Students learn the elements of music and music theory; they also develop an understanding of rhythm, coordination and melody by participating in percussion/drumming, dance and voice. Our curriculum also emphasizes movement, with detailed, regular studies of Irish dance, as well as creative choreography and proper performance etiquette. Music-making, by definition, is interactive; our program offers many performance opportunities throughout the school year.
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PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The physical education program provides a kinesthetic learning environment in which students can develop their physical, social and cognitive skills. For the benefits of exercise and physical activity to be fully realized, students have daily physical education classes. Students are introduced to a range of physical activities that include both team and individual sports and lifetime physical activities.
Our program is based on the Illinois State Standards and National Standards for physical development, emphasizing three learning areas: fitness and wellness, basic movement skills and concepts and movement forms. Fitness concepts are presented in each unit, with fitness tests conducted at the beginning and end of the school year. These concepts are presented through both physical activity and classroom projects. Movement skills/concepts and forms are presented simultaneously and through a variety of teaching styles. We also emphasize the importance of life-long fitness and wellness. Our curricular goals include teaching students the components of fitness and their relationship to physical activity and wellness.
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