Academic Resources
Core Knowledge Language Arts, History & Geography, and Science
We use CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts), published by Amplify, in grades K-3 . Core Knowledge has since published materials for K-8, and we use the CKLA and CKHG (Core Knowledge History & Geography) materials from the Core Knowledge Foundation for grades 4-8. We use Core Knowledge Science Domains as well. In 6-8, we use the CKSci materials.
Below is the link to those virtual resources from Core Knowledge for Grades K-8. (The K-3 CKLA materials cover the same information as the CKLA from Amplify.)
Download Core Knowledge Materials Here
We use Math in Focus, Singapore Math by Marshall Cavendish in grades K-5.
We use Big Ideas Math for NC Math Standards in middle school and Big Ideas Integrated Math 1, 2, and 3 for NC Math 1 through 3.
Big Ideas Math Road Map for Teaching the North Carolina Standards for Mathematics
Math 1
Big Ideas Math Road Map for Teaching the North Carolina Standards for Mathematics Math 2
Big Ideas Math Road Map for Teaching the North Carolina Standards for Mathematics Math 3
Parents also may view curricular materials at school by appointment.
Classical Curriculum
To read Dorothy Sayers’ essay on using the Trivium as a framework for a school curriculum, go to The Lost Tools of Learning.
To read an article on the benefits of studying Latin, go to Efficacy of Latin Studies in the Information Age.
Core Knowledge Sequence
To learn more about the Core Knowledge Sequence, the Core Knowledge Language Arts program, and E.D. Hirsch, Jr’s research, go to The Core Knowledge Foundation.
Tale a look at the Core Knowledge Sequence, which outlines everything that is taught grade by grade.
To watch a ten-minute video on why we teach content and facts as well as reading skills, go to Teaching Content IS Teaching Reading.
To watch the ten-minute PBS News Hour report on the Common Core State Standards and the Core Knowledge Language Arts Program, go to Boosting Reading Skills.
Character Education
To read the article Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote for his college newspaper on producing character as well as intelligence, go to MLK Purpose of Education.
The Study of the Arts
To read an article on keeping the arts as part of school curricula, go to The Benefits of Studying the Arts.
Singapore Math
Fixed vs Growth Mindset
A great resource for parents: https://www.mindsetkit.org/growth-mindset-parents
To visit Dr. Carol Dweck’s website to learn about the fixed and growth mindsets, praising children for the right things, and getting smarter by learning, go to Mindset.
Here is an article by Carol Dweck on Mind-sets and Equitable Education.
Eduardo Briceño Clearing up Some Common Confusions about the Growth Mindset.
To read an article on the benefits of teaching the growth mindset, go to Believing You Can Get Smarter Makes You Smarter.
A longer article, but one well worth reading, with excellent information about research on promoting academic tenacity, is Academic Tenacity: Mindsets and Skills that Promote Long-term Learning.
Year-Round Calendar
To read about the reasons for having a year-round calendar, go to Benefits of Year-round School.
Books
E. D. Hirsch, Jr.
- Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know
- The Knowledge Deficit
- The Schools We Need and Why We Don’t Have Them
- The Making of Americans
- Why Knowledge Matters
Dan Willingham
- Why Don’t Children Like School: A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What It Means for the Classroom
Carol Dweck
- Mindset: the New Psychology of Success
Goeff Colvin
- Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else
