For years educators have identified skills that should be taught at each grade level, but content decisions has historically been left to individual classroom teachers. Thus, a vast disparity of topics has been taught depending on the personal interests and expertise of a specific teacher. Curricula across schools and even within schools at the same grade level have been quite diverse.
The Core Knowledge Sequence was developed to provide students with a rich vocabulary and broad knowledge upon which future instruction can build, broaden and deepen. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all children are given access to the same knowledge base that assures later educational success.
Thus, the Core Knowledge Sequence provides a detailed, explicit, and systematic sequence of grade specific content that can be taught consistently year after year. The core content is organized to spiral through the grade levels, becoming more sophisticated and dedicated in each successive grade.
It has been the experience of those using the approach that students retain information much longer and develop skills more easily when meaningful content is combined with the teaching of skills.
Open Court Reading and Language Arts: Reading, penmanship, composition and creative writing, phonics, speaking, listening, grammar, persuasion, literature, and library skills.
Addison Wesley/Scott Foresman Mathematics: Problem-solving, application, and computational skills.
Sitton Spelling : An emphasis on spelling generalizations to word families and spelling instruction that transfers to everyday writing.
Zaner-Bloser Handwriting : Cursive writing will be introduced through pre-cursive program that will begin in Kindergarten.
Shurley English and Grammar : An emphasis on balance between grammatical terms, concepts and rules derived from scientifically based research studies.
Lab Learner, Prentice Hall and Harcourt Brace Science and Technology: Flagstaff Academy strongly believes in science exploration. Students will establish a knowledge base for understanding science. Teachers and students together will be members of a community focused on learning science. This will be done through a science lab based program that will be used in conjunction with the Core Knowledge science program. Flagstaff will use the K-8, Lab Learner Science program, developed by the Center for Science and Health Education at Pennsylvania State College of Medicine. “Lab Learner is a unique, hands-on, complete elementary and middle school science program that utilizes scientific methodology to let students and teachers experience the thrill of scientific discovery firsthand” ( Penn State, 2004). Lab Learner was developed to align to national and state standards and give students concepts in science and health. This is a science program with proven research in science standards and student achievement by the Penn State College of Medicine ( Penn State, www.lab-learner.com). Flagstaff Academy will implement a comprehensive, K-8, technology plan across the curriculum. All teachers and students will become proficient in the use of technology and will be evaluated on the effectiveness of integrating technology into lesson plans and student work. Flagstaff Academy’s goal is that by the 2008 the school becomes 100% integrated with technology across the curriculum.
Pearson Learning Core Knowledge History and Geography: Emphasis on American and world civilizations and geography. The Pearson Learning/Core Knowledge history and geography textbooks will be used by Flagstaff Academy. “They communicate rich content in an understandable, engaging style that young students enjoy. Edited by Core Knowledge founder E. D. Hirsch, Jr.” (Core Knowledge Foundation, 2004).
Foreign Language : Flagstaff Academy offers Spanish to all students in 4th through 8th grades and utilizes the Santillana textbook series.
Music : Activity-based approach to develop musical skills and concepts. Emphasis on world music cultural components in addition to singing, instruments, listening, reading, and composing music.
Physical Education : Child-centered and developmentally oriented activities giving students a sense of how to maintain a vibrant life-style through adulthood. Emphasis will be in broad areas of body management and general movement skills, teaching fundamental skills, good sportsmanship and knowledge of games and sports.
Art : Gradual development of skills in the uses of elements and application of principles with art tools and materials. Art history integrated into lessons and activities.
Community Service Learning Program (Middle School):
At Flagstaff Academy community and service starts in the classroom and extends beyond it, requiring students to participate in the communities in which they live. Giving importance to the sense of community throughout the program encourages responsible citizenship as it seeks to deepen students’ knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 60 community service learning hours during their Middle School experience at Flagstaff Academy. Details on this program can be found here.
Core Virtues Character Development : The Core Virtues program is a K-8 program that uses literature to teach students a foundation of core ethical values, good moral character and citizenship. The founders of the Core Virtues program state, “the goals are the cultivation of character through such virtues as respect, courage, diligence, patience, responsibility, compassion, perseverance, faithfulness, and more” (Core Virtue, Mary Beth Klee, 2004). The Core Virtues program is recognized by the Core Knowledge Foundation as an outstanding program for all Elementary and Middle School programs. The author of “Building Character in Schools” states, “the Core Virtues program is an exemplary moral education program” (Kevin Ryan and Karen E. Bohlin, 2004).
