Overview by Subject
LANGUAGE ARTS
The Writing Workshop developed by Lucy Calkins and her colleagues at Columbia University is at the heart of our Language Arts Curriculum. Students write with purpose as they select topics of interest to them. Students learn to communicate their ideas effectively, while studying spelling and grammar. Students create their own books and collaborate on whole class books and collections.
The Writing Workshop is intricately tied to our Reading Workshop. Students compose their reading lives as they participate in Literature Discussion Groups, Guided Reading Groups, Independent Reading and Whole Class reading. Isabel Beck’s Robust Vocabulary, Questioning the Author and Phonics instruction are components of our Reading Workshop. Students conduct genre studies, author studies, and non-fiction studies as they learn the structure of fiction and non-fiction texts. Children actively engage in writing about their reading and discussions that further their comprehension, response to literature, and ability to articulate their growing understandings.
The Handwriting curriculum is Handwriting Without Tears. Handwriting Without Tears (HWT) is a proven success in making legible and fluent handwriting an easy and automatic skill for ALL students. HWT uses fun, entertaining, and educationally sound instructional methods to teach handwriting to all students: pre-K through cursive. Thousands of administrators, teachers, therapists, and parents across the country have successfully implemented the program. For the last 30 years HWT has been the leader in providing easy to learn, easy to teach, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive materials to preschool and elementary students throughout the U.S. Last year, more than two million students learned to write successfully using the HWT curriculum. The result truly is handwriting without tears for all!
MATHEMATICS
Everyday Mathematics
Everyday Mathematics is a comprehensive Pre-K through 6th grade mathematics curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project. It is currently being used in over 185,000 classrooms by almost three million students nationwide.
EM emphasizes the application of mathematics to real world situations. Numbers, skills and mathematical concepts are not presented in isolation, but are linked to situations and contexts relevant to everyday life. Each EM lesson includes time for whole-group instruction as well as small group, partner, or individual activities. These activities balance teacher-directed instruction with opportunities for open-ended, hands-on explorations, long-term projects, and on-going practice. Throughout EM curriculum students are encouraged to explain and discuss their mathematical thinking, in their own words. Opportunities to verbalize their thoughts and strategies give children the chance to clarify their thinking and gain insight from others.
EM has been the subject of numerous studies, and the data is overwhelmingly positive, and it has received the highest rating of any published curriculum reviewed by the Dept. of Education’s What Works Clearinghouse.
SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES
Inquiry defines the stance of the Science and Social Studies classroom. Science incorporates the study of life, earth and physical science content, as well as tools of investigation. Throughout the grades the students use technology to participate in global science investigations, tracking their own data and the data of other young scientists around the world. In addition, our outdoor education program supports the integration of science learning in our local community and backyard biome.
Our global studies put the world in the hands of our students as they explore artifacts, maps, and models of the world. The early years are devoted to studying the complexities of cultures near and far, past and present. Students investigate the interaction of peoples and their natural biomes, while taking on the role of anthropologist, archaeologist, cartographer, and historian. In the upper grades, students consider cultures in conflict and at peace as they look at the political overlay on the natural biomes of the world. Students become adept at investigating the world locally and globally though the lenses offered by history, economy, and politics, and sociology as they continue to explore the complexities of culture. Our curriculum allows the young child to actively engage in inquiry driven studies of the world. Integrated activities allow students to participate in art, music, drama, language, and cuisine from around the globe while using their reading and writing to gain a greater understanding of themselves in relationship to others.
WORLD LANGUAGES
Students in grades K-3 study Spanish, French and Mandarin. Children in the early grades are introduced to conversational Spanish, French and Mandarin through song, dramatic role playing and simple texts. In addition, students are introduced to cultural practices in countries that speak Spanish, French and Mandarin. Students in the upper grades choose to focus on one of these languages and begin to read and write in their chosen language.
All students engage in language studies as part of their social studies curriculum throughout the year. During these studies, students consider the variations in written languages past and present of numerous peoples, including Native Americans, ancient Egyptians, Japanese, and Inuit.
Language Rotation (by Trimester)
K/1 French Mandarin Spanish
2 Spanish French Mandarin
3 Mandarin Spanish French
THE ARTS
MUSIC
Our Music program focuses on the individual child’s musical understanding, as well as the child’s development of community music. Students in Kindergarten and grade 1 learn music fundamentals through extensive song and rhythm classes. Individuals play and compose at the keyboard during grades 1-3 and on a variety of instruments during grades 4 and 5. The entire school participates in Whole School Choir where they develop a repertoire of known songs and a variety of vocal abilities. Throughout the music program students learn about a wide range of musical genres and instruments with a special focus on American Music.
INSTRUMENTS
The Cooper School Instrument classes provide a comprehensive music program that integrates keyboard, singing, ear training, sight-reading, creative movement, rhythm, music theory and music composition. Children benefit by acquiring solid music education in a fun group-based environment. Our program combines early childhood education principles with music theory. Keyboard playing and rhythm ensembles nurture collaborative skills. Creative movement develops individual expressiveness and composing integrates aural and written skills.
Children in grades 4 and 5 continue to study keyboard as well as percussion and string instruments. In addition to being introduced to two new instruments each year, these children begin song writing. During song writing classes, children combine their musical and creative writing talents to compose and record their own songs.
VOCAL
The Cooper School Choir performs and records several times a year. This choir practices once a week and performs throughout the Charleston Community. The Indigo Choir is an advanced choir available to children in grades 3-5. This choir offers an additional opportunity for students to enjoy singing in the community of others. The Indigo Choir meets once a week and focuses on advanced techniques of choral singing and music from around the world as well as original compositions created by Cooper School students and our own Music Director, Hazel Ketchum.
VISUAL ARTS
Art focuses on history, elements, techniques and tools as students develop their own aesthetic and create personal portfolios. Art classes meet once a week for all students. Classroom teachers integrate the visual arts as part of their weekly studies and as a mode of communication and expression.
DRAMA
Within the classroom students employ the dramatic arts to learn about content across the curriculum. Students create costumes and choreograph mini-dramas that incorporate science, social studies, and literature. In addition, Charleston Stage joins us for a mini-mester study of dramatic arts from across the globe.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Movement classes incorporate balance, strength, grace, and skill as students expand their personal repertoire of physical competence and expression in yoga, karate and outdoor games. Each grade also participates in a movement project each year. For grades K-2 this is swimming, Grade 3 and Grade 4 go rock climbing, and Grade 5 takes kayaking lessons. Middle School students participate in a variety of off campus sports and clubs. Formal classes are offered three times a week and informal classes are held each day. In addition, students engage in outdoor free play twice daily.
