Legacy Academy Curriculum

Legacy Academy is a public school of choice which meets the standards of the instructional objectives set forth by the State of Colorado including highly qualified teachers. 

The following subjects are offered to students K-8th:

•Math-Saxon 

•English:
            Shurley Grammar
          Open Court Reading
          Spalding
•Literature-Core Knowledge

•Science-Core Knowledge

•History-Core Knowledge

•Core Virtues-Core Knowledge

•Music-Core Knowledge

•Art-Core Knowledge

•Technology

•Physical Education

•Athletics-(Grades 6th-8th See "Athletics" tab)

Core Knowledge Principles:

Solid  
Many people say that knowledge is changing so fast that what students learn today will soon be outdated. While current events and technology are constantly changing, there is nevertheless a body of lasting knowledge that should form the core of a Preschool-Grade 8 curriculum. Such solid knowledge includes, for example, the basic principles of constitutional government, important events of world history, essential elements of mathematics and of oral and written expression, widely acknowledged masterpieces of art and music, and stories and poems passed down from generation to generation. 

 Sequenced  
Knowledge builds on knowledge. Children learn new knowledge by building on what they already know. Only a school system that clearly defines the knowledge and skills required to participate in each successive grade can be excellent and fair for all students. For this reason, the Core Knowledge Sequence provides a clear outline of content to be learned grade by grade. This sequential building of knowledge not only helps ensure that children enter each new grade ready to learn, but also helps prevent the many repetitions and gaps that characterize much current schooling (repeated units, for example, on pioneer days or the rain forest, but little or no attention to the Bill of Rights, or to adding fractions with unlike denominators). 

 Specific  
A typical state or district curriculum says, "Students will demonstrate knowledge of people, events, ideas, and movements that contributed to the development of the United States." But which people and events? What ideas and movements? In contrast, the Core Knowledge Sequence is distinguished by its specificity. By clearly specifying important knowledge in language arts, history and geography, math, science, and the fine arts, the Core Knowledge Sequence presents a practical answer to the question, "What do our children need to know?" 

 Shared  
Literacy depends on shared knowledge. To be literate means, in part, to be familiar with a broad range of knowledge taken for granted by speakers and writers. For example, when sportscasters refer to an upset victory as "David knocking off Goliath," or when reporters refer to a "threatened presidential veto," they are assuming that their audience shares certain knowledge. One goal of the Core Knowledge Foundation is to provide all children, regardless of background, with the shared knowledge they need to be included in our national literate culture.

Example:

Core Knowledge Curriculum-      Physical Science strand

Kindergarten: 
Magnetism, the idea of forces we cannot see. Classify materials according to whether they are attracted to a magnet. 

First Grade: 
Basic concept of atoms. Names and common examples of the three states of matter. Examine water as an example of changing states of matter in a single substance. Properties of matter: measurement. 

Second Grade:
Lodestones: naturally occurring magnets. Magnetic poles: north-seeking and south-seeking poles. Magnetic fields (strongest at the poles). Law of attraction: unlike poles attract, like poles repel. 

Third Grade:
Introduction to light, optics, and sound. Sound waves are much slower than light waves. Astronomy: orbit, rotation, gravity. Gravitational pull of the moon, and to a lesser degree, the sun, causes ocean tides on earth.

Fourth Grade:
Atoms: all matter is made up of particles too small to see. Atoms are made up of even smaller particles: protons, neutrons, electrons. Concept of electrical charge: proton has positive charge; electron has negative charge; neutron has no charge. "Unlike charges attract, like charges repel" (relate to magnetic attraction). Properties of matter: mass, volume and density. The elements: basic kinds of matter. 

Fifth Grade:
Atoms are constantly in motion; electrons move around the nucleus in paths called shells (or energy levels). Atoms form molecules and compounds. The Periodic Table: organizes elements with common properties. 

Sixth Grade:
Kinetic and potential energy: types of each. Energy is conserved in a system. Heat and temperature. Three ways energy is transferred: conduction, convection, and radiation. Energy transfer: matter changes phase by adding or removing energy. Expansion and contraction. 

Open Court, Shurley, Saxon, Spalding, and Step Up to Writing are supplemental programs utilized to provide instruction in order to meet the 
Core Knowledge Scope & Sequence.

Open Court:  
 Open Court Reading© is an elementary basal reading program for grades K-6 developed by SRA/McGraw-Hill. The program is designed to systematically teach decoding, comprehension, inquiry and investigation, and writing in a logical progression. Part 1 of each unit, Preparing to Read, focuses on phonemic awareness, sounds and letters, phonics, fluency, and word knowledge. Part 2, Reading and Responding, emphasizes reading for understanding with literature, comprehension, inquiry, and practical reading applications. Part 3, Language Arts, focuses on communication skills such as spelling and vocabulary; writing process strategies; English language conventions such as grammar, speaking, and penmanship; and basic computer skills.

Shurley Grammar: Success for every student!

 Shurley Grammar is an intervention solution for students who have not yet mastered the fundamentals of grammar and its use in basic sentence composition. It integrates proven instructional methods and can be used as an alternative core curriculum or as supplemental. It allows educators to tailor instruction to the specific needs of their students, helping them achieve their overall goals. Shurley Grammar is powerful and flexible enough to meet the needs of students, providing a clear understanding of grammar and sentence composition.

Shurley Grammar...

· Utilizes proven methods of learning and teaching 
· Clarifies learning goals and expectations for students 
· Presents concepts logically and systematically 
· Employs a unique Q & A Flow process to analyze parts of speech 
· Gives immediate feedback 
· Supplies a systematic review of concepts 
· Offers targeted daily practice 
· Promotes interaction between the students and the teacher 
· Benefits different ability levels 
· Goes beyond traditional curriculums 

Step Up to Writing

Step Up to Writing® features research-based, validated strategies and activities that help students proficiently write narrative, personal narrative, and expository pieces; actively engage in reading materials for improved comprehension; and demonstrate competent study skills.

· Aligns with Writing Next
· Creates a common language and approach across grade levels and content areas
· Provides models of student writing for teacher and student reference
· Employs writing as a tool for content learning
· Explicitly connects reading and writing
· Teaches all stages of the writing process, with an emphasis on planning
· Provides tips specifically for kindergarten students in Primary Level

Aligns with the Six Traits assessment model.

Additional information: http://www2.pylusd.k12.ca.us/glk/jlaurich/StepUpToWriting.htm

Legacy Academy’s Writing Scope and Sequence: Writing Scope and Sequence

Saxon Math: Hands-on approach with a Difference

 Elementary Level:

All new concepts are developed through hands-on activities and rich mathematical conversations that actively engage students in the learning process. Concepts are developed, reviewed, and practiced over time. Students move from the concrete to the pictorial to the abstract.

Why Saxon works

*Daily mixed practice  
*Frequent, cumulative assessment  
*Opportunities for connections, communication, and justification

Minds-on support

*Complete transcripts of math conversations in every lesson  
*Teachers gain techniques to guide students to conceptual understanding.  

Saxon Math Intermediate (3rd–5th Grade):

· Daily lesson structure with continual practice and assessment  
· Builds foundational concepts and critical thinking skills  
· Real World Problem Solving and Applications  
· Students communicate mathematically   

Saxon Math Courses 1, 2, and 3 (6th- 8th Grade) Help students master the grade-level standards by:

· Giving students time to learn and practice skills throughout the year  
· Developing higher-order thinking  
· Helping students to become more confident problem solvers  
· Focusing directly on math and eliminating distracters  
· Integrating manipulatives for hands-on learning experiences  

Character Development

 Character Development is an integral part of the Legacy Academy curriculum, woven daily into lessons and reflected in behavior expectations.

· There is a continual focus on Core Virtues, a Core Knowledge literature-based character education program.  The Core Virtues taught includes (but not limited to) compassion, courage, honesty, respect and responsibility.  

· The formal discipline program supported by classroom management plans promotes good citizenship and democratic social values.  Students are expected to exhibit honor and integrity in personal behavior.  Students are also expected to respect authority, accept responsibility, respect the rights of others, take care of their own property and be careful with the property of others. No student will be allowed to disrupt the education of others.

· Extracurricular options at Legacy promote character development, leadership, self-motivation, perseverance and service.

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