Our Curriculum
Math
Math is taught using Right Start Mathematics. The AL Abacus helps students to see the patterns in numbers. With clearly outlined objectives, lessons are designed and structured to promote a deeper understanding of concepts. Activities, games, and hands-on manipulatives help by giving kids multiple opportunities to engage with the material being taught. You can learn more about this program at rightstartmath.com.
Literacy
Reading is taught is a holistic way. Explicit phonics instruction is presented embedded within whole books. Sight words are introduced along with the fundamental tools needed for properly decoding words. Meaning is derived through read-aloud, discussions, and disections of both simple and complex texts. Hands-on activities and project-based learning activities accompany mentor texts.
Writer's Workshop
Writing includes journal entries, reading reflections, spelling, vocabulary, and paragraph development, emphasizing its artistic and expressive nature. will learn the writing process from brainstorming to presentation, covering topic sentences thesis statements, outlines, and editing. They will gain confidence in crafting well-structured essays on various topics such as expository research and personal narratives.
Equine Science
Give your child the chance to experience the thrill of horseback riding and the charm of Western horsemanship at Gracelynned Farm. Led by Fran and Laurel, with a combined experienced of over 50 years, this fun-filled aspect of our program offers your child a hands-on introduction to the world of horses. Whether they're saddling up for the first time or have some riding experience, they'll get personalized instruction in a safe, supportive environment.
STEM
In Science, we will connect real-world events to our explorations of topics. Using methods of scientific inquiry students are challenged to ask questions and then set about through the steps of the scientific method to gather data, test hypotheses, and make conclusions. We use Easy Peasy Science, Nebraska Scientific, and field trips to the (Planetarium, Aquarium, and Museum of Nature and Science among others) to help augment lessons.
Community Studies
Social Studies is a wonderful way to incorporate reading for the real world, writing, and project-based activities. We will follow the scope and sequence per grade level but also cater to student interest, community involvement, and appropriate world issues as they are relevant to the time. Rich and high-value learning experiences are woven into our social Studies block weekly.
Art
Kate Otte, with Treehouse Art, comes in each week. With 10 years with the Dawson School under her belt, she brings unparalleled expertise in not only artisic technique but also a unique and engaging way of working with kids. She masterfully constructs lessons to teach the fundamentals of art. Often Kate introduces a project during one lesson, and throughout the week students will work on completing the piece to then take home!
Culinary Arts
With Chef Darragh Byrne, students will plan menus, purchase ingredients, and cook meals. Darragh has been professionally trained, and worked in some of Colorado's best resturants, including The Flagstaff House. Information about nutrition is a part of every lesson. Math is incorporated into budgeting, measuring, and interpreting nutrition labels. This is a fun way to incorporate collaboration and teamwork into our week.
Culinary Arts
Together, we plan menus, purchase ingredients, and cook meals while also adding information about nutrition everyday. Math is incorporated into budgeting, measuring, and interpreting nutrition labels. This is a fun way to incorporate collaboration and teamwork into our week.