Students develop conceptual understandings, content knowledge and skills in science and social studies through a guided inquiry process. Inquiries are designed so that students have opportunities to wonder and tune in, ask questions, conduct research, engage actively and draw conclusions throughout a unit of study. Students are encouraged to take action around what they have learned whenever possible. This may take the form of a change in behavior, the understanding of new ideas, and reflection on oneself and one’s choices. Throughout the inquiry cycle, students are invited to reflect on their learning and make real world connections.
Our science curriculum is vertically aligned using the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) balancing learning across the physical, earth and life sciences. Units of study give students opportunities to take on STEM challenges (develop lab experiments) and use the local ecology for observations and develop an understanding of the natural world.
Our social studies curriculum is vertically aligned using the C3 framework, addressing big ideas in civics, history, geography, and economics. Units are designed to guide students to make connections between their own experiences and a real world context. Character development plays a role in each of the units, in which students inquire into concepts of community, culture identity, diversity, and civic responsibility and engagement.