Curriculum
Overview
The Westlake Charter School curriculum is thematically-based and aligned with the California State Content Standards. In addition to the core curriculum, students at Westlake will learn a language other than English and have an understanding and appreciation of the four areas of the arts: dance, drama, music and the visual arts.The mission of Westlake Charter School is to prepare elementary students with the skills necessary for life-long learning by providing a physically and emotionally safe learning environment that supports academic risk-taking, invites student participation, and structures cooperative learning experiences.
The curriculum for grades Kindergarten through 5 is based on the
International Primary Curriculum (http://www.internationalprimarycurriculum.com).
- Phonics: Open Court Phonics Program (K-2)
- Reading: Comprehensive Literacy Program including Guided Reading and Literature Response
- Writing/L.A.: 6 + 1 Traits of Writing
- Math: Houghton-Mifflin Mathematics
- Spanish: Muzzy
Questions and Answers about the International Primary Curriculum at WCS
Q: What is the International Primary Curriculum?A: IPC is a thematic curriculum. Central to IPC is the idea that children learn best when they are highly motivated and interested. IPC themes ignite the child’s imagination and enable teachers to develop a wide range of progressive skills across subject areas. The curriculum helps develop a growing understanding of the unique features of each subject while also developing an understanding of how it links with other subjects. The traditional subjects are addressed, but in a way that transcends the individual disciplines, thus facilitating cross-curricular planning and teaching.
The following subjects are part of the IPC framework: Science, Geography, History, Art, Information/Communication/Technology, Music, PE, Society, Personal, and International. In essence, IPC is the "umbrella" of the program, meaning it gives an overarching direction and theme to studies, but it is not a single means of instruction. Students will be taught certain core subjects as stand-alone subjects, including Mathematics, Language Arts, and Foreign Language.
IPC has been designed to help children develop an international mindset alongside an awareness of their own nationality. The curriculum takes into account up-to-date research into how children learn and how they can be encouraged to become life-long learners.
Q: What is thematic instruction?
A: Thematic instruction is the organization of a curriculum around a selected
"theme" such as the environment, living things, or holidays. Thematic
instruction integrates core subject areas like science, history, and geography
with the exploration of a broad topic.
Q: What are the benefits of thematic instruction?
A: There are many benefits of thematic instruction. Of perhaps the greatest
significance, students are often enthusiastic about the collaborative and
project-based nature of this instructional method. Additionally, thematic
instruction can be a powerful tool in demonstrating to students the
relationships between areas of study. The principles of thematic instruction are
consistent with recent research concerning how children (and adults) learn
effectively.
Q: But will children learn the "basics" at Westlake Charter School?
A: Absolutely! Thematic instruction is but one effective tool used in teaching a
high-quality educational program that adheres to the California Content
Standards for core subject areas. For more information about what state
standards your child will be learning at her or his grade level please see
http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/index.asp.
A: They are:
| - the independence and interdependence of the different subjects as children
learn - the opportunity to use visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning styles - the opportunity for children to research and record their learning using their multiple intelligences - the organization of work around themes which are of intrinsic interest to children. |
|
| (From IPC website: http://www.internationalprimarycurriculum.com/) | |
Q: How does IPC help children develop both a national and an international perspective?
A: IPC helps children gain:
| - knowledge and understanding beyond that related to their own
nationality - an understanding of the interdependence of people, countries and cultures - an understanding of the independence of people, countries and cultures |
|
| (From IPC website: http://www.internationalprimarycurriculum.com/) | |
For general questions about the curriculum, please contact the Westlake Charter School at admin@westlakecharter.com
