Curriculum for San Tan School for the Gifted

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Language Program - Imagine It!
San Tan School for the Gifted will use Imagine It Literature curriculum. The inquiry based method learning allows for students to dig deep into the rich literature. Students will be placed at their appropriate level, most classes working one grade level higher paralleled with deeper investigation of broad concepts. The curriculum also serves as a basis for spelling, grammar and writing. Further, teachers will utilize Junior Great Books known for their inquiry based learning and exposure to rich world culture literature. Each lesson plan uses the concept/question board to help students understand and explore and most importantly find a personal connection to the lesson. In essence, students see material multiple times through pre-teaching activities, direct instruction when needed and re-teaching lessons when appropriate, as well as, through workstation activities and games. The variety of lesson ideas and extensions help students to learn in a variety of ways and be successful at their own personal learning level.

For an interactive look into San Tan Learning Center's language program click here

Mathematics Program - Scott Foresman/Addison Wesley enVisionMATH
San Tan School for the Gifted math program will place students at their individual curriculum levels. For students placed on a K-6 grade level, students will use enVision Math. The Scott Foresman /Addison Wesley envision MATH curriculum supports daily, hands-on interactive learning. Daily lessons provide a visual learning bridge that teaches math concepts step-by-step with purposeful, sequential illustrations while connecting interactive learning with guided and independent skill and problem solving practice. EnVision Math incorporates a strong technology component. Allowing students to work individually with a computer gives gifted students the freedom to work at their own pace and not have to wait for a class to catch up which can often cause frustration for some students. This also allows the teacher the opportunity to give more support to those students who may need it. For students placed higher than a 6th grade level, San Tan School for the Gifted will embrace the International Baccalaureate math curriculum. The IB curriculum model is known for its rigorous curriculum and ability to give students the cutting edge in mathematical education. Students will be placed in the appropriate level of math based on up to date assessments and an individual curriculum will be designed to meet their needs.

For an interactive look into San Tan Learning Center's math program click here

Music
The Music Program at San Tan Learning Center focuses on the overall aspect of a lifetime of music appreciation. Children will continue on their journey through Basic Music Competency and beyond with and exploration of singing, rhythm and movement, self expression, improvisation, composition, and the various sounds of musical instruments.

Art
The opportunity for children to express themselves through unique works of art instills creative problem solving skills, as well as sensorial and cultural awareness in young minds. Through multi-sensory development the fine arts cement knowledge of all general subjects and promote a cultural of awareness through the child’s mind.

Physical Education
The Dynamic Physical Education program developed by Robert Pangrazzi from Arizona State is one of the most utilized curriculums in schools today. This program was selected to provide a comprehensive curriculum, which emphasizes fitness and healthy lifestyles.

Health – Healthy Body Image
Healthy Body Image: Teaching Kids to Eat and Love Their Bodies Too!

• the most widely used curriculum for promoting healthy body image, eating, fitness and weight in children.
  

For an interactive look into San Tan Learning Center's Health program CLICK HERE

Spanish – Viva El Espanol
Our program focuses on the development of listening and speaking skills and on cultural awareness. Grammar is not the focus, but is learned indirectly rather than through direct instruction. The program follows the natural sequence of language learning: understanding > speaking > reading > writing. The ¡Viva el Español! program provides a progressive and coordinated approach to the development of communication skills. As students progress in oral language comprehension, reading and writing skills are introduced.

Talent Opportunities
Gifted Students need many opportunities to allow their gifted to process into a talent. San Tan will provide many different options for preparing the gifts to become talents. For our Quantitative gifted children, competing in Math, Kangaroo, Math Counts, Math Matters, Math Olympiads and Science Fairs. For our Verbally Gifted children, they needs opportunities to compete in Debate clubs, spelling bees, poetry contests and short story competitions, giving them as many opportunities for publishing. For our visual/ spatially gifted students, they are given opportunities to shine in Odyssey of the Mind, Exploravision, and Destination Imagination.

Science – Standards Based
Science curriculum is based off the scientific method. Students develop the scientific curriculum of Process-Product. Filled with experiments and hands on research, allows for taking students through each step of the scientific method. San Tan’s curriculum places a heavy emphasis on investigatory skills, coupled with problem finding and problem solving. Through extensions, students can implement individual interests and projects. All Science Units are given one grade higher than state standard curriculum.

Social Studies – Standards Based
Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences to prepare young people to become responsible citizens. Social Studies curriculum allows students to draw connections to history and use higher thinking skills to correlate past with present trends. Focus areas will also include citizenship and government, geography, and map skills, and an overview of state history. All Social Studies units are given one grade higher than state standard curriculum

NWEA – MAP testing
Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®) yields rich data that can be used to individualize instruction and analyze programs. Based on over 30 years of research, MAP is a key tool for measuring growth and predicting proficiency over time. Understanding each student’s academic level gives teachers the power to help them excel. MAP computerized adaptive assessments are the tools that make it possible – providing educators with the detailed information they need to build curriculum and meet their students’ needs, one child at a time.

Spelling – Words Their Way
Teacher's trust Words Their Way to teach students phonics, spelling, and vocabulary. This powerful approach to word study encourages students to look closely at words to discover the regularities and conventions of written English needed to read and spell. Word Study Activities, organized as always by developmental spelling stage. This organization allows for a encompassing scope and sequence designed to individual match to students abilities.