Curriculum Guide
Explore the specific learning objectives, core subjects, and special projects for each grade level at Hopespring.
Kindergarten: Foundation
Our Kindergarten program focuses on social-emotional growth and the building blocks of literacy and numeracy. We create a nurturing environment where children learn to ask questions and work together.
menu_book Core Subjects
- • Reading: Letter recognition, phonics, and early sight words.
- • Math: Counting to 100, basic shapes, interaction with patterns.
- • Science: Observation of seasons, plants, and animals.
- • Social Studies: Understanding community helpers and family structures.
palette Special Projects
- • "All About Me" Book: Students create a portfolio about their families and interests.
- • Community Garden: Planting and caring for a class garden plot.
- • 100 Days of School: A celebration of counting and milestones.
First Grade: Discovery
First Grade is a year of rapid growth in reading fluency and mathematical reasoning. Students begin to explore the wider world and their place within it through inquiry-based projects.
menu_book Core Subjects
- • Reading: Decoding complex words, reading comprehension, and storytelling.
- • Math: Addition and subtraction within 20, place value basics.
- • Science: Weather patterns, states of matter (solids, liquids).
- • Social Studies: Maps, globes, and basic geography.
science Special Projects
- • Weather Station: Daily tracking and reporting of local weather.
- • Animal Habitat Dioramas: Creating model habitats for chosen animals.
- • Author's Tea: Sharing original stories with parents and peers.
Second Grade: Exploration
Second graders transition from learning to read to reading to learn. They tackle multi-step problems and engage in deeper scientific investigation and historical exploration.
menu_book Core Subjects
- • Reading: Chapter books, fluency, and main idea identification.
- • Math: Addition/Subtraction within 100, introduction to money and time.
- • Science: Life cycles, forces and motion.
- • Social Studies: Ancestry, culture, and traditions around the world.
public Special Projects
- • Family Tree Project: exploring personal heritage and history.
- • Simple Machines: Building functional levers, pulleys, and ramps.
- • Cultural Fair: Presenting food, dress, and facts from a chosen country.
Third Grade: Expansion
Third grade marks a shift towards independence. Students master multiplication, dive into chapter book series, and begin to understand complex systems in science and society.
menu_book Core Subjects
- • Reading: Determining theme, point of view, and text evidence.
- • Math: Multiplication and division, introduction to fractions.
- • Science: Ecosystems, adaptations, and weather hazards.
- • Social Studies: Local government, economics, and civics.
rocket_launch Special Projects
- • Market Day: Students create products and manage a mock classroom economy.
- • Biome Research: Creating detailed reports and models of world biomes.
- • Local History Tour: Visiting landmarks and documenting local history.
Fourth Grade: Analysis
Fourth graders become critical thinkers. They analyze texts deeply, solve multi-step word problems, and conduct scientific experiments with variables and hypotheses.
menu_book Core Subjects
- • Reading: Comparing genres, analyzing text structure, and research skills.
- • Math: Multi-digit arithmetic, fraction equivalence, and geometry.
- • Science: Energy transfer, waves, and earth systems.
- • Social Studies: State history, geography, and resources.
lightbulb Special Projects
- • State Float Parade: Creating floats representing the history of a state.
- • Energy Audit: Analyzing school energy use and proposing savings.
- • Invention Convention: Designing and prototyping a solution to a problem.
Fifth Grade: Leadership
As the leaders of the elementary school, fifth graders refine their academic skills and prepare for middle school. They engage in complex debates, long-term projects, and leadership roles.
menu_book Core Subjects
- • Reading: Novel studies, literary analysis, and persuasive writing.
- • Math: Decimals, volume, and operations with larger fractions.
- • Science: Structure of matter, ecosystems, and space systems.
- • Social Studies: Early American history and constitutional foundations.
diversity_2 Special Projects
- • Mock Trial: Simulating a court case to understand the justice system.
- • Science Fair: Conducting and presenting an independent experiment.
- • Legacy Project: A class service project to leave a mark on the school.
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