International Studies
The goal of the “International Studies” theme is to improve student understanding of diversity. The social studies curriculum is the foundation for this theme. The school year begins with this ten week course.
Arts & Humanities
The goal of the “Arts & Humanities” theme is to improve students’ understanding of life through the Arts. Through this unit of study, students learn to live in harmony with others, to appreciate beauty, and to have high standards of moral judgment. The language arts curriculum dominates this theme.
Technology
Technology refers to all the ways people use their inventions and discoveries to satisfy needs and desires. Ever since people appeared on the earth, they have had to work to obtain food, clothing, and shelter and to satisfy their desire for leisure and comfort. People invented tools, machines, materials, and techniques. They also discovered water power, electricity, and other sources of power that increased the rate in which they could work. Technology involves the use of tools, machines, materials, techniques, and sources of power to make work easier and more productive. The goal of the technology theme is to allow students to learn how technology has helped people gain control over nature to build a civilized way of life. Students learn about the benefits of technology to increase the production of goods and services, to reduce the amount of labor needed to produce goods and services, to make labor easy and to give people higher standards. Students learn about the side effects of technology. These include environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, technological unemployment and the creation of unsatisfying jobs. Students study the challenges of technology that include combating side effects, preventing side effects and spreading the benefits of technology.
Environmental Studies
Humans and all living things depend on the Earth’s land and water biomes for food, water, and shelter. Humans, however, have the greatest capacity to alter the environment-both for better and for worse. It is a constant challenge to find ways to meet the needs of increasing populations worldwide, yet still minimize the cost to natural resources. In the United States , the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with protecting the nation’s land, air, and water systems. Significant profess has been made since the first Earth Day in 1970, but much work remains to be done. Communities across the country are finding resources and methods to help protect the unique ecosystems near where they live. The goal of the Environmental Studies theme is to raise environmental awareness in students as the challenge to protect the planet will only become greater in the future. The following biomes are explored: Mountains/Forests (Kindergarten), Aquatic (1st grade), Grasslands (2nd grade), Desert/Tundra (3rd grade), Rain Forest (4th grade). Having acquired a foundation for living systems, students explore Threats to the Environment (6th grade) and Preservation (7th grade). |
