Curriculum Overview

The K-3 program at the Glade Park Community School will be focused on developing early literacy and numeracy skills while giving students a solid understanding of the Glade Park community and surrounding areas.  Collaborative decision making and teamwork will be of utmost importance to create a safe and productive learning environment.  Multi-age classes will offer opportunities for students to take on leadership roles within the classroom.  Trimesters will be based on themes with several excursions occurring outside of the classroom each trimester. Science and social studies will be taught in an integrated and hands-on manner.  Students will frequently be out in the natural world and in the community working on real-world projects.  

The curriculum at the Glade Park Community School will be thematic in nature and guided by student and teacher-generated questions (see project-based learning below).  A curriculum map may be used to facilitate integration between disciplines.

 At least one project that draws on resources from different disciplines will be completed each year.  Whenever possible, integration will occur between different disciplines to model the real world.  The scope and sequence of each discipline will be based on the Colorado Content Standards. 

Project-based Learning

The Glade Park Community School will foster and encourage project-based learning.  With the belief that children learn best (and remember most) when they are engaged in what they are learning, therefore, the emphasis will be on the process of learning.  Project-based learning allows children to make choices and take ownership in their work. It involves in-depth study and is student-directed so that it can be tailored to the learning needs and interests of individual children. The project choices will be designed by the teacher and the learners and guided by the state standards.

 Integrated Curriculum

As appropriate the Glade Park Community School will use an integrated curriculum.  An integrated curriculum looks at a variety of ways subjects can interlink and work together to blend across the subject areas.  Working with a curriculum in this way can create a more holistic experience for the child, rather than learning skills in isolation.

 Environmental Education

At the core of the Glade Park Community School approach to learning is the idea of students learning outside the classroom.  We intend to give children direct experiences in the ecological and cultural environment that serves as an essential part of learning.  Through understanding the natural environment and the local community better, children will grow to understand their sense of place and a strong sense of stewardship for the natural world.

 Kids working together to build snow forts!! 

Music and Art and Movement Programs

Music will be an integral part of the child's day in our school. Although there will be a designated time for music with a trained music teacher, the threads of rhythm and song weave throughout the curriculum. Transitions may be signaled through musical cues, stories could be enhanced with music, and music is used to calm, focus, and inspire the child. Exposure to many styles of music, as well as the music of many cultures, guarantees that children can gain an appreciation for and understanding of the world's music. Wherever possible, music will be tied into curricular activities.

The music experiences of learners will be presented where possible in a playful atmosphere. Elements of play provide children with flexibility in the environment coupled with cooperation as they develop musicianship.

Poems, rhymes, games, songs and dances provide the basic teaching materials. These may be traditional or original. Singing and recorder playing will form a thread throughout the grades. In addition, children will be involved with the following musical elements:

Speech-choral reading, using the speaking voice in a variety of ways

Singing - single line, rounds and canons, part-singing

Listening experiences - of many styles and cultures

Movement - creative movement, folk dancing

Instrumental music - rhythm instruments, recorders, Orff instruments, percussion

Art

All students will participate in weekly visual arts classes.  Students will be encouraged to create artwork using the principles and elements of art and design, and demonstrate an understanding of how subject matter, symbols and ideas are used to communicate meaning in art.  Lessons will be integrated into thematic units reflecting the broader goals of the elementary curriculum.  Students will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with periods of art and cultures throughout history.  Students will learn about important artists and make connections to these artists’ styles in their own work.  Glade Park Community School artists have the opportunity to work with various media, learn new techniques and processes, and develop and honor their own unique artistic talent.

 Movement

The intention of movement instruction at the Glade park Community School will be aimed at giving children the skills and attitudes they will need to remain fit and to enjoy a variety of recreational activities. A balance between traditional games and outdoor fitness activities will be sought. Children will be challenged to find their own level of ability and work towards personal growth.

Where possible, the movement activities will form a natural extension to the child’s day in the classroom. Extensions include:

World games of cultures investigated in the classroom, musical games, math games, and games related to craftwork

Nature hikes, rock climbing, bird-watching, or tracking related to a class study

Activities related to school festivals or events

Non-competitive games

Activities based on the use of equipment such as: balls, rings, Frisbees, hoops, paddles, parachutes, and ropes

Musical and rhythmical activities; folk dancing, creative movement