CURRICULUM

Saxon Math

Saxon Math is a basal math curriculum that distributes instruction, practice, and assessment of related topics over a year rather than grouping concepts into chapters or units. This distributed approach is designed to increase student understanding of mathematics concepts and promote long-term retention of skills. Teachers introduce a new concept and work examples with the class. Next, students solve problems that cover the new concept and then concentrate on problems that cover previously introduced material as well as the new concept.In this way, the Saxon math program provides for a continual flow of learning through the incremental daily introduction of new math concepts and ideas, which are then mastered through guided and individual practice.Students also benefit through the daily review of the concepts they have learned in the past, and at the same time add a new piece of knowledge to their growing storehouse of information.

Spalding Reading / Writing

The Spalding Method is a total language arts approach because it provides explicit, sequential, multi sensory instruction in spelling (including phonics and handwriting), writing, and listening/reading comprehension. Spalding is also a diagnostic method. That means assessment for learning is continuous so that instruction can be tailored to meet each child's individual needs. Spalding is not a lock-step one-size-fits-all approach.

The Spalding program begins by teaching students a set of phoneme-letter units called phonograms. These letters represent minimal speech units (phonemes), not blends. Learning the phonograms is a straightforward paired-associates learning task that helps students to form links between particular phonemes, particular letters, and particular motor (writing) movements. When students master the phonograms, they can access members of this set easily and flexibly, and can output them in written or spoken form.

After the phonograms have been learned, instruction in spelling begins. Spalding uses a list of words compiled by frequency. The spelling lesson "script" is exact. The teacher says a word and calls on the students to say the first syllable, or first sound of a one-syllable word. The children write it, then the teacher writes it on the board. The students progress systematically through the word. If there is any difficulty, the class discusses the rule involved. Over the course of spelling, the students learn by example twenty-nine second order rules, such as the five reasons why a silent e is attached to the end of a word. Given the seventy phonograms and twenty-nine rules, students can spell about 80 percent of English words, and a higher percentage of the most frequent ones.

SOCIAL STUDIES/HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY

LTS teaches from the Harcourt Social Studies program.

The history/government program shall consist of the study of ancient history, American history, Arizona history, world history, and grade level appropriate current events.

Geography shall include the study of place, location, regions, relationships within places, and map skills appropriate to grade levels. Citizenship and patriotism shall be emphasized in the study of history, geography, and government.

SCIENCE

LTS will implement the McGraw-Hill Science Series for grades K-5 and the Holt Science Series for grades 6-8, supported by the FOSS (Hands-on) Science program. These curricular materials enable our students to construct an understanding of science concepts through investigation and analyses, the use of laboratory equipment, student readings, and interactive technology. Students exercise logical thinking and decision-making skills appropriate to their age level. In addition, these science curricula help develop basic skills in science through student readings, science journals, student projects, and the use of mathematics to quantify and communicate results of investigations and experiments.

K-6 SPECIAL AREA CLASSES

Music

Music shall be included in the curriculum for grades kindergarten through six, and as an exploratory art in Junior High School in the form of orchestra, band, or choir. Music shall be taught by a qualified music specialist.

The music program shall:

• emphasize music appreciation, music history, note reading, composition, rhythm, instrument identification and choral skills.
• include the opportunity for students to perform during music instruction.
• may include musical performances by each class during the school year.

Physical Education

Physical education (PE) for grades kindergarten through six shall be a required subject. PE shall be taught by a qualified physical education specialist.

The program shall instruct each student in various physical skills to promote good health and lifelong involvement in physical activities.

7th & 8th GRADE ACADEMICS

All 7th and 8th grade students at Legacy Jr. High will be enrolled in the following core classes:

· English Composition/Grammar

· Math- according to placement test

· U.S. History

· Science

· Literature/Research

Our elective classes that may be offered are-

· Computers

· P.E.

· Foreign Language

· Art

· Band

· Orchestra

· Choir

*adopted from the foreword to The Writing Road to Reading by S. Farnham-Diggory