We follow CA Common Core standards through textbook, real world examples, project based learning and multi-sensory experiences. What this means is that while the content will be comparable to other schools in the area, we will be focused on gathering a deeper knowledge base for students to call on through concept mastery. When students are able to participate in projects it helps to better connect them to the concept. Doing this all with a multi-sensory lens will help to ensure that every student, regardless of learning style, will be able to build on and call on this knowledge. In order to best serve our students we will be adopting a mastery based program developed in Singapore who is currently leading the world in Math and Science. Establishing this program will help our students to see and believe that math is a universal language.  

History in primary school is connected to four essential questions (+1 or 2 additional questions per subsequent school year). These questions focus on distinguishing factors between the past and present, building a neighborhood, what it means to be an American, and how people can learn to work together. Students will learn to be a historical detective as we create timelines and explore life in different timeframes. A key component of this teaching will be to discern different perspectives while contemplating the choices our students might make if faced with similar situations. Students will be invited to discuss their thoughts and feelings with friends and will be utilizing a specific set of attributes to describe individuals throughout time. This will help in establishing connections between individuals who changed our world. These frameworks meet and exceed recommendations for the state of California. 

If recent times have demonstrated anything it is the importance for representation in education. We need our students to be able to access culture in all of its forms from around our Earth. Culture is embedded into who we are as individuals. It is at the core of our being. We cannot expect that our children will grow to understand a culture if we do not allow them to see and experience it from around the world. 

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Global Studies also combines with art and acts as another way to shine a light on the beauty of culture. Artists around the world will be featured as we learn about the glorious sights and sounds that come from their country. We will look at techniques, at different art forms and unique pieces that will help in establishing important features to that community. We will discover that art transcends language and communicates powerful emotion.

Reading and writing are strongly connected. It’s that simple. You cannot expect a child to become a better reader without simultaneously working on writing. The concepts blend and your brain is happier for it. The approach to reading and writing instruction will also follow a multi-sensory guide and will be inclusive of hand signs, song, art and a lot of adventure. Students will engage in writing workshops where they will be asked to spend time utilizing specific writing conventions. Students will also be introduced to a wide variety of writing styles and diverse authors. Books read together will focus on specific character traits, unique voices and will draw parallels to their own thoughts, feelings and aspirations. 

In the state of California, we have adopted the NGSS standards for educating students on scientific matters. These standards include concepts such as understanding life cycles, climate and weather, push/pull forces, habitats and elements needed for the survival of plant/animal life. These are concepts we regularly discuss through the year. Being that this is a focus of Lunar Landing, we have a great opportunity to be able to continue our efforts in experimenting and making science more assessable. 

Art will be tied into each of our studies enabling each field to intersect with another, but art will also have its own dedicated time. I am calling this dedicated time Expression Art Lab.  This piece is critical to the development of our students as art not only serves to develop more refined fine motor skills but also serves to continually foster creative thought.  

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In this course, we highlight a particular philosopher and carry their ideas into art. We then use art therapy and art expression techniques to further a discussion on a “BIG Idea” from the particular philosopher. This gets combined with an art lab that features an artist (both local and global) so that we can view and talk about their art, but also so that we can have a guide and see how artists use different mediums to create spectacular results.

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This course offers vulnerability, acceptance, confidence, builds on healthy expression, and lays the groundwork for important life skills that can follow students into adulthood.