CURRICULUM GUIDE

Weston Preparatory Academy’s curriculum has been aligned to the Common Core State standards. Through the use of resources, lesson plans, pacing guides, and common assessments, teachers are able to deliver high quality instruction. Teachers are trained to analyze student data and plan for individualized instruction. 

PRE & POST ASSESSMENTS

Students in grades 1-8 are assessed in math at the beginning of the year based on their current grade level standards. The purpose of this pre-assessment is to determine student readiness for current grade level. This same test is used as a post-assessment at the end of the year to measure growth and determine individual success of math standards.

Students in grades 6-8 are also given a pre/post assessment in reading. The elementary reading program provides a pre-assessment for students to determine reading placement. 

MATH

All of the math units and assessments are aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Students are assessed after every unit and the data from these units are used to pinpoint students’ strengths and weaknesses.  Some resources include: Go Math!, Everyday Mathematics, Houghton Mifflin Math, Prentice Hall Math.

READING

Wonders is a comprehensive program that encompasses all of the literacy essential skills. Each grade level is broken down into 6 units, each one exploring different questions, and big ideas. During each unit students are exposed to a variety of genres both fiction and non-fiction. They learn new vocabulary words each week, have a new spelling pattern to help reinforce phonological and phonemic awareness, and work on improving their writing. Each week students listen to stories read by their teacher, engage in close reading practices to improve their comprehension skills, work on their reading fluency, and have the opportunity to work in small groups on books that are at their reading level.  At Weston, all students have one-to-one technology available to them in the classroom. Our Kindergarten-2nd grade students use Ipads, and our 3rd-8th graders work on chromebooks. Wonders has an online component students have access to. It allows them to listen to stories they have already read, play games, and review vocabulary words for the week. The online component also allows families to see exactly what their student is learning each week. You have an opportunity to see the vocabulary words your students are learning, listen and  read the same stories your student is reading in class, and even play games connected to the skills they are working on in class.

Middle school reading curriculum is aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Students are taught through novel-based units and are assessed after every unit

SCIENCE

K-5 science curriculum is aligned to the Common Core State Standards and provides hands-on activities and experiments for students. Macmillan/McGraw-Hill’s dynamic science program, Science: A Closer Look, offers students exciting and accessible standards-based lessons. Engaging activities promote curiosity and foster the development of science inquiry skills. Through a consistent and structured learning cycle, students confidently build upon their experiences to develop a lifelong understanding of science concepts.

Middle school Middle science school uses a curriculum called SCIENCE DIMENSIONS. This curriculum puts students in charge of their learning and enables teachers to guide their students on a proven instructional path. It gives teachers the tools they need to prepare students for the world beyond the classroom. Each lesson begins with a question,a problem to solve, or an event to explain. Students engage in hands-on activities, they think critically about their observations, practice gathering evidence, and defend their claims. All of these skills will spark curiosity in our students.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Harcourt Social Studies is a comprehensive K–5 curriculum solution designed to engage and motivate every student. Through the stories of the intriguing people, exciting places, and fascinating events that make social studies relevant to their lives, students gain a global perspective. They also learn the social studies themes and skills they need to become informed, participating citizens who consider diverse points-of-view, use critical thinking skills, and are active in their communities. Completely aligned to the national standards, the program’s research-proven content provides rigor and depth in an easy-to-read, highly visual format that instantly connects with all types of learners. Reading Skill development and reinforcement organized around a Big Idea and What to Know Essential Questions is core to the pedagogy. Because students also learn through interaction, the engaging hands-on activities and technology explorations in the Harcourt Social Studies program provide the high-interest level tools to foster that connection.

Grade 6:

Sixth grade students will explore the tools and mental constructs used by historians and geographers. They will develop an understanding of Ancient World History, Eras 1 – 3, of the Western Hemisphere and will study contemporary geography of the Western Hemisphere. Contemporary civics/government and economics content is integrated throughout the year. As a capstone, the students will conduct investigations about past and present global issues. Using significant content knowledge, research, and inquiry, they will analyze an issue and propose a plan for the future. As part of the inquiry, they compose civic, persuasive essays using reasoned argument.

Grade 7:

Seventh grade students will review the tools and mental constructs used by historians and geographers. They will develop an understanding of Ancient World History, Eras 1 – 3, of the Eastern Hemisphere and will study contemporary geography of the Eastern Hemisphere. Contemporary civics/government and economics content is integrated throughout the year. As a capstone, the students will conduct investigations about past and present global issues. Using significant content knowledge, research, and inquiry, they will analyze the issue and propose a plan for the future. As part of the inquiry, they compose civic, persuasive essays using reasoned argument.

Grade 8:

Eighth grade students continue their study of United States History from the writing of the Constitution through Reconstruction. Geographic, civics/government, and economics content is integrated within the historical context. Using significant content knowledge, research, and inquiry, the students analyze an issue and propose a plan for civic action. They develop reasoned arguments and write a persuasive civic essay addressing issues from the past within a historical context. Where appropriate, they make comparisons to relevant contemporary issues.

See the full Educational Program 2016.17