 The Pear Tree Point School curriculum is based on Core Knowledge, the enriching and engaging curriculum developed by Dr. E. D. Hirsch, author of Cultural Literacy. More information is available by clicking on the Core Knowledge logo, which will take you to the Core Knowledge Foundations Web site. There, you will find information about the program, products that support it as well as research studies that have verified its effectiveness in raising student achievement.
Dr. Diane Ravitch, Professor of Education at New York University, advocates for Core Knowledge regularly, pointing out that the curriculum children experience makes a difference and that, "All children need a coherent curriculum that builds their vocabulary and knowledge incrementally." Core Knowledge does this.
Here is a summary of the themes that guide this substantive curriculum:
History is divided into world civilization and American civilization. The world civilization curriculum fosters curiosity and understanding about the world beyond students' immediate surroundings and experiences by introducing varied civilizations and ways of life. The content spans early civilization in Africa, China, Japan, Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Europe during the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the English Revolution. The American civilization curriculum begins in Pre-Kindergarten with a brief introduction to major events and figures and continues in third grade with a more in-depth study of United States history, from the Ice Age through the westward expansion following the Civil War. Geography encompasses aspects of history and science by focusing on the physical processes that shape life, interactions between humans and their environment, and relationships between people, places, and cultures. In addition, at Pear Tree Point School history and geography are taught in relation to current events, to help students understand the subjects' relevance to life today. Field trips to museums and historical sites supplement the curriculum and topics in the Core Knowledge curriculum, and are reinforced in the art, music, drama, and Spanish programs.
The fundamentals of scientific inquiry, namely, observation, analysis, and drawing conclusions are skills applicable to all aspects of life. The Core Knowledge science program at Pear Tree Point School covers both life science and physical science and is designed to stimulate natural curiosity and interest in scientific investigation. The main campus is adjacent to estuary areas, the beach, and Long Island Sound, thereby offering focal points for hands on research projects. In an informal yet carefully planned setting, students have direct experiences that encourage them to observe, experiment (individually and in groups), and use their reading, writing, and math skills to practice making rational and informed decisions about the natural world.
|