Upper Elementary Academics

Language Arts
Our language arts curriculum is literature-based with a focus on developing reading fluency, reading comprehension, and higher order cognition through exposure to a variety of genres. Writing remains at the core of the program and students learn to write for a variety of audiences and purposes through utilizing different modes. Specific attention is given to teaching writing as a process and to reinforcing writing conventions. Emphasis is also placed on vocabulary extension, spelling, grammar, and oral expression.

Math
The math curriculum focuses on the teaching of concepts, skills, computation, and problem solving strategies through authentic contexts. Math instruction focuses on teaching of concepts, skills, computation, and problem solving strategies. Students in Grades 3-6 deepen their number sense and problem solving for the purpose of applying their mathematical thinking to novel situations. Engaging, multisensory activities are designed with an emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration, and a growth mindset. Young mathematicians explore ideas before organizing them into mathematical structure, focusing on the concrete before abstract, flexibility and efficiency. They learn to represent concepts in a number of ways, communicating their own thinking while learning how to understand others’ reasoning. One of the mathematical highlights of the year is "Math Day" when Upper Elementary students teach math to students in the Lower Elementary.

Social Studies
Our social studies curriculum is standards based and traces all aspects of the subject including history, anthropology, geography, government, economics, current affairs and research. The social studies curricula are integrated with other subjects where possible and enhanced by field trips directly related to areas of study. Library and technology teachers work together with classroom teachers and students to improve and develop research skills.

Science
Our science curriculum teaches foundational scientific method, theory, content and concepts and encourages inquisitiveness about the world around us. We foster curiosity through hands-on labs, experiments, and real world field trips. Students engage in thematic discussions and activities that help them to see the connectivity of all scientific knowledge. Health concepts are also incorporated into the science curriculum and aim to encourage students to accept personal responsibility for their own lifelong whole body health.

Technology
Upper Elementary students (Grades 3-6) learn to work collaboratively and to make their own choices and connections with regard to the technology tools that will best serve their purpose in locating, understanding and presenting information. The focus is on developing computer concepts and skills, based on the ISTE standards, that can be applied regardless of platform or application. This methodology enables students to become lifelong learners. The technology integrator works closely with the classroom teacher to develop lessons and integrate the use of technology in a way that enhances the curriculum. Areas of focus include word processing, graphic design, network awareness, multimedia software usage, internet usage, spreadsheet design and analysis, and an understanding of the social and ethical implications of technology use and misuse.

Language Arts
Our language arts curriculum is literature-based with a focus on developing reading fluency, reading comprehension, and higher order cognition through exposure to a variety of genres. Writing remains at the core of the program and students learn to write for a variety of audiences and purposes through utilizing different modes. Specific attention is given to teaching writing as a process and to reinforcing writing conventions. Emphasis is also placed on vocabulary extension, spelling, grammar, and oral expression.

Math
The math curriculum focuses on the teaching of concepts, skills, computation, and problem solving strategies through authentic contexts. Math instruction focuses on teaching of concepts, skills, computation, and problem solving strategies. Students in Grades 3-6 deepen their number sense and problem solving for the purpose of applying their mathematical thinking to novel situations. Engaging, multisensory activities are designed with an emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration, and a growth mindset. Young mathematicians explore ideas before organizing them into mathematical structure, focusing on the concrete before abstract, flexibility and efficiency. They learn to represent concepts in a number of ways, communicating their own thinking while learning how to understand others’ reasoning. One of the mathematical highlights of the year is "Math Day" when Upper Elementary students teach math to students in the Lower Elementary.

Social Studies
Our social studies curriculum is standards based and traces all aspects of the subject including history, anthropology, geography, government, economics, current affairs and research. 4th Graders study California. The social studies curricula are integrated with other subjects where possible and enhanced by field trips directly related to areas of study. Library and technology teachers work together with classroom teachers and students to improve and develop research skills.

Science
Our science curriculum teaches foundational scientific method, theory, content and concepts and encourages inquisitiveness about the world around us. We foster curiosity through hands-on labs, experiments, and real world field trips. Students engage in thematic discussions and activities that help them to see the connectivity of all scientific knowledge. Health concepts are also incorporated into the science curriculum and aim to encourage students to accept personal responsibility for their own lifelong whole body health.

Technology
Upper Elementary students (Grades 3-6) learn to work collaboratively and to make their own choices and connections with regard to the technology tools that will best serve their purpose in locating, understanding and presenting information. The focus is on developing computer concepts and skills, based on the ISTE standards, that can be applied regardless of platform or application. This methodology enables students to become lifelong learners. The technology integrator works closely with the classroom teacher to develop lessons and integrate the use of technology in a way that enhances the curriculum. Areas of focus include word processing, graphic design, network awareness, multimedia software usage, internet usage, spreadsheet design and analysis, and an understanding of the social and ethical implications of technology use and misuse.

Language Arts
Our language arts curriculum is literature-based with a focus on developing reading fluency, reading comprehension, and higher order cognition through exposure to a variety of genres. Writing remains at the core of the program and students learn to write for a variety of audiences and purposes through utilizing different modes. Specific attention is given to teaching writing as a process and to reinforcing writing conventions. Emphasis is also placed on vocabulary extension, spelling, grammar, and oral expression.

Math
The math curriculum focuses on the teaching of concepts, skills, computation, and problem solving strategies through authentic contexts. Math instruction focuses on teaching of concepts, skills, computation, and problem solving strategies. Students in Grades 3-6 deepen their number sense and problem solving for the purpose of applying their mathematical thinking to novel situations. Engaging, multisensory activities are designed with an emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration, and a growth mindset. Young mathematicians explore ideas before organizing them into mathematical structure, focusing on the concrete before abstract, flexibility and efficiency. They learn to represent concepts in a number of ways, communicating their own thinking while learning how to understand others’ reasoning. One of the mathematical highlights of the year is "Math Day" when Upper Elementary students teach math to students in the Lower Elementary.

Social Studies
Our social studies curriculum is standards based and traces all aspects of the subject including history, anthropology, geography, government, economics, current affairs and research. 5th Graders focus on the early history of the United States from the Age of Exploration to the Industrial Revolution. The social studies curricula are integrated with other subjects where possible and enhanced by field trips directly related to areas of study. Library and technology teachers work together with classroom teachers and students to improve and develop research skills.

Science
Our science curriculum teaches foundational scientific method, theory, content and concepts and encourages inquisitiveness about the world around us. We foster curiosity through hands-on labs, experiments, and real world field trips. Students engage in thematic discussions and activities that help them to see the connectivity of all scientific knowledge. Health concepts are also incorporated into the science curriculum and aim to encourage students to accept personal responsibility for their own lifelong whole body health.

Technology
Upper Elementary students (Grades 3-6) learn to work collaboratively and to make their own choices and connections with regard to the technology tools that will best serve their purpose in locating, understanding and presenting information. The focus is on developing computer concepts and skills, based on the ISTE standards, that can be applied regardless of platform or application. This methodology enables students to become lifelong learners. The technology integrator works closely with the classroom teacher to develop lessons and integrate the use of technology in a way that enhances the curriculum. Areas of focus include word processing, graphic design, network awareness, multimedia software usage, internet usage, spreadsheet design and analysis, and an understanding of the social and ethical implications of technology use and misuse.

(7 groups of approximately 9-10 students) A place from which operations or activities are carried out; headquarters

• Home base teachers are 6th Grade faculty
• Attendance
• Flag
• General announcements
• Birthday and holiday celebrations
• General organizational tips: managing calendar, student planner, planning ahead

Specific objectives for 6th Grade Language Arts include the examination of a literary selection for its thematic development; the students' familiarity with well-known authors, titles, and literary genres; and the recognition and use of literary terms. The 6th Grade Language Arts curriculum reinforces reading by teaching the tools of prior knowledge, mental images, inference, asking questions, and synthesizing information. Students annotate at a more proficient level while reading to make note of well- written passages, vocabulary, and themes. Students participate in literary discussions, guided by both teacher and peers. These discussions allow for students to explore ideas, to develop analytical skills, and to present persuasive, well-supported arguments. A 6th Grade Language Arts student can recognize various literary terms, plot, setting, and characters. Students have also learned to write well-formulated literary and expository paragraphs by integrating concrete details and commentary to support the paragraph’s topic sentence.

The teaching of grammar and vocabulary is fundamental to the Language Arts program and works to support the students’ understanding of literature and their development as writers. A rigorous study of vocabulary also includes participation in the Wordmasters Challenge, a nation-wide analogies competition that challenges students’ understanding of vocabulary and their ability to use critical thinking skills. Grammar lessons work toward proficiency in identification and usage of the parts of speech: common and proper nouns, linking and action verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections. Sentences and their parts and types are also examined. Mechanics lessons enforce the use of proper punctuation, including quotation marks, commas, semicolons, and colons.

Fall: Discussion of a summer reading novel with a social justice theme, poetry and non-fiction texts, and a class reading/analysis of a young adult fiction novel

Winter: An introduction to the poetry and language of Shakespeare, exposure to sonnets, and a class reading of a Shakespearean comedy

Spring: Class and individual reading of a play featuring a historical theme

Drawing upon a variety of methodologies including comprehensible input and output, learning is based on the developmental progression of first language acquisition. The learning style is hands-on and activity-based with textual support. Listening and speaking skills are emphasized through interactive activities such as games, choral repetition, TPR (Total Physical Response), acting out stories, and music. Through the use of literature, students develop basic reading and writing skills. The program highlights “culture” with the goal of exposing students to the diversity among Spanish speaking communities: geography, customs, and linguistic nuances are addressed in the curriculum. Instead of merely studying Hispanic cultures, students are encouraged to see themselves as active participants in evolving cultural paradigms. To this end, students interact with the language in their daily lives and exercise agency over their learning experiences. The study of languages and cultures at Curtis serves as a launch pad from which to employ skills like flexibility, collaboration, creative problem solving, critical thinking, higher order empathy, and more. Our students leave our program with a strong foundation in Spanish as well as knowledge of themselves as language learners and tools to be successful in the 21st century.

Spanish content topics may include the following:

• Introducing yourself
• Days of the week and months
• Alphabet
• Numbers
• Telling time
• Seasons
• Asking questions
• Super 7 verbs: querer, hay, tener, estar, ir, ser, gustar
• Geography of Spain, Latin America and Caribbean
• Conjugating regular verbs
• Adjective agreement
• Syntax
• Colloquial expressions

By the end of the year, Spanish students can:

• Understand level-appropriate descriptions and stories of events
• Communicate simple ideas clearly and accurately and be understood by someone accustomed to the language
• Respond with complete sentences
• Tell or retell a story in their own words
• Ask basic questions
• Demonstrate active listening

The goal of this introductory course is to spark interest in computer programming and to help build a solid foundation in the subject. Students will learn to read, understand, create, and debug programs through collaborative interactive projects, using real world programming strategies. Students will explore different programming languages throughout the year, and culminate the year by creating a professional coding portfolio.

Introduction to Computer Science/Programming.

• Block Coding to teach foundational programming concepts.
• Intro to Javascript (Web Development).
• Intro to Html & CSS (Web Development).
• Advanced Javascript (Games & Visualizations)
• Intro to Python (Game Design)

6th Grade Art is a highly collaborative class that focuses on developing a unique voice, as well as understanding the ways in which that voice fits into real world applications of art and design. Students learn how to initiate, problem solve, finalize, and reflect upon self-designed work through a series of layered, multidimensional projects. Emphasis is placed on process, skill building, and broadening a physical and digital “toolkit” that can be pulled from in all manner of making and purposeful creation.

Taught by some academic faculty members and specialists (art, drama, technology)

• Yearbook and Photography; Drone Technology; De-stress for Success; Making Change, Landscape Painting; Yoga; Chamber Music; Life Skills