First Grade: Students complete an integrated ABC Thinking Skills unit to
become acqainted with different critical and creative thinking strategies.
We learn about the value of gifts to society, gifts of talent and the value
of giving and receiving gifts in our unit called "Gifts."
Students also select a zoo animal to research and run their own zoo in a
simulation unit.
Second Grade: Students manipulate numbers in pre-algebraic equations in an
ocean unit called "Into the Unknown." They use tri-fold science boards to
create their own aquarium to present their research on an ocean animal.
Second graders also explore the world of inventing and will be
creating some inventions of their own.
Third Grade: Early in the year they work in a unit called "Images of
Greatness" where we study the traits of American heroes. Students create
their own show called "Whose Tale is True" with orignial scripts and props.
Students study natural disasters using the NASA Sci-Files
inquiry curriculum. Later in the year they learn work on independent
projects of their choice.
Fourth Grade: Students are using the state gifted curriculum as they learn
about Enigmas. Students ask questions, research, conduct a scientific
inquiry and present themselves as panel of scientists to explain their
chosen enigma. Hai Caesar! We are learning Latin with the series
called "Caesar's English" by Michael and Myriam Thompson. This book
integrates Latin stems, Spanish, English, Classical Literature and Roman
culture. Later in the year we will be engineers with our Mindstorms Robotic
kits. The unit will culminate in our 4th grade Dragon University in May
where we show our expertise with science and engineering technology.
Online Math League (also called the Academic League) is offered in the
second, third and fourth grades. The math stresses problem solving with
challenging grade appropriate problems. We have the league meet three times
a year in Nov., Feb. and April. WordMasters is a vocabulary contest
for grades three and four. Students apply the words they learn in high-level
analogies. This contest is also held three times a year on a different week
than the math. Our Durham students compete at a national level in these
contests.
