Upper Elementary Curriculum
Two-Year Learning Cycle
Our Upper Elementary program (2nd–5th grade) follows a dynamic two-year curriculum cycle that combines big-picture learning with individualized instruction. Students explore engaging topics in reading, writing, science, and social studies, while foundational skills like spelling, grammar, and reading strategies are reinforced through small, skill-based groups tailored to each student’s pace.
Key Features of the Cycle
Personalized Skill Development: Foundational skills such as spelling, grammar, and reading strategies are taught in small groups based on each child’s individual needs.
Integrated Themes: Big-picture units rotate every two years, ensuring students build on prior knowledge while exploring new and exciting topics.
Hands-On Learning: Simulations, research projects, and collaborative discussions bring concepts to life, fostering critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity.
Reading & Writing Workshop
2nd & 3rd Grade
Even-Starting School Years (e.g., 2024-2025):
Reading: Building a Reading Life, Reading to Learn (grasping main ideas), and Character Studies.
Students build stamina as readers, analyze characters, and practice finding the main ideas in nonfiction texts.
Writing: Crafting True Stories (narrative writing), Information Writing (creating chapter books), and Persuasive Writing (writing speeches and petitions).
Students learn to tell engaging stories, share their knowledge through clear informational pieces, and develop skills to advocate for ideas.
Odd-Starting School Years (e.g., 2025-2026):
Reading: Focus on Fluency and Meaning, Reading Nonfiction, and Bigger Books and Advanced Comprehension.
Students improve fluency, analyze nonfiction for key details, and practice comprehension strategies for longer texts.
Writing: Improving Narrative Writing, Writing About Reading (persuasive arguments), and Poetry (big thoughts in small packages).
Students strengthen storytelling, write persuasive essays about books, and experiment with poetry to express their thoughts creatively.
4th & 5th Grade
Even-Starting School Years (e.g., 2024-2025):
Reading: Interpretation Book Clubs (themes), Argument and Advocacy (debating issues), and Fantasy Book Clubs (themes and symbols).
Students explore themes in fiction, analyze arguments, and study fantasy stories to uncover deeper meanings.
Writing: Narrative Craft, Research-Based Argument Essays, and Fantasy Writing.
Students refine storytelling techniques, develop research-based arguments, and create imaginative fantasy pieces.
Odd-Starting School Years (e.g., 2025-2026):
Reading: Interpreting Characters, Reading Culture (expository texts), and Historical Fiction Clubs.
Students dive into character analysis, explore texts that provide cultural and factual information, and engage in historical fiction discussions.
Writing: Realistic Fiction, Personal and Persuasive Essays, and Bringing History to Life (historical research).
Students write relatable fiction, craft persuasive arguments, and bring history to life through research-based writing projects.
Science
2nd & 3rd Grade
Even-Starting School Years:
Motion & Matter: Exploring forces, motion, and properties of matter through experiments.
Water & Climate: Investigating weather, climate patterns, and the importance of water in ecosystems.
Animal Care 201: Hands-on activities in the Science & Nature Center, learning about animal care and habitats.
Odd-Starting School Years:
Solids & Liquids: Observing and understanding the properties of solids and liquids.
Pebbles, Sand & Silt: Exploring earth materials and their uses.
Genetics & Evolution 101: An introduction to heredity and how living things change over time.
4th & 5th Grade
Even-Starting School Years:
Energy: Exploring energy transfer, renewable energy, and practical applications.
Soils, Rocks & Landforms: Investigating earth systems and processes that shape the planet.
Genetics & Evolution 201: Building on earlier concepts with deeper exploration of heredity and adaptation.
Odd-Starting School Years:
Journey to the Red Planet: Studying the solar system, Mars exploration, and space missions.
Earth & Sun: Examining the relationship between Earth, the sun, and seasonal changes.
Mixtures & Solutions: Conducting hands-on experiments to explore chemical and physical changes.
Social Studies & Humanities
2nd & 3rd Grade
Even-Starting School Years:
Native Peoples (Past & Present): Learning about the history, traditions, and modern lives of Indigenous peoples.
California Geography: Exploring California’s landforms, natural resources, and regional diversity.
Odd-Starting School Years:
Heroes & Villains of the Past & Present: Analyzing historical figures’ actions and their impact on society.
Government & Economics: Studying the roles of government, economic systems, and civic responsibility.
4th & 5th Grade
Even-Starting School Years:
U.S. History: Exploring major events and movements in U.S. history, including immigration and its impact on families.
Immigration and Family Histories: Students explore the reasons behind immigration to America, from historical “push” and “pull” factors to modern immigration policies and personal stories. Highlights include a guest speaker discussion on immigration issues, an in-depth study of Ellis Island, and a culminating “Finding Your Roots” family history project where students research and present their family’s immigration stories.
Odd-Starting School Years:
California History: Learning about California’s rich history, from its Indigenous peoples to the Gold Rush and statehood.
History Through Marginalized Perspectives: Studying historical events from the viewpoints of immigrants, women, and other historically marginalized groups.
Note: This history unit helps students to examine key historical events and figures through diverse lenses. Interactive read-alouds such as Stamped (For Kids) and other nonfiction resources, including A Young People’s History of the United States and excerpts from A Different Mirror, help students explore how the experiences of Black people, women, and other underrepresented groups have shaped our nation’s history.