Curriculum

American Leadership Academy is committed to inspiring excellence in our students through a classical, principle based education. Such an educational program provides each student with the ability to think critically, creatively solve problems and express themselves articulately in speech and writing. Though many factors will help us reach this goal, our chosen curriculum will be essential in helping students succeed. We have chosen curriculum that is comprehensive, research-based, multi-sensory and flexible enough to accommodate many different learning styles and levels of knowledge.

E.D. Hirsch's Core Knowledge Sequence: A Basic Framework

American Leadership Academy will be using the E.D Hirsch Core Knowledge curriculum as a basic framework for all the academics that will be taught. Although much information is valuable, not all is of equal value. The Core Knowledge curriculum selects specific information designed to help all children develop a well-rounded cultural literacy and skills in the areas of Language Arts, History and Geography, Visual Arts, Music, Mathematics, and Science.

The Core Knowledge Sequence operates under the idea that students learn by connecting new knowledge to the knowledge students have already acquired. If new knowledge and skills are not connected to previous learning, the new information or skill is easily forgotten. In the Core Knowledge curriculum, each year is designed to build on the knowledge and skills learned in previous years, in hopes that the knowledge will become the basis for what will be learned in the coming years. An example of this sequence is as follows in the subject area of world history. In Kindergarten, students learn about the seven continents. Then in first through third grades, the students learn about early civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Greece and Rome. In the fourth grade, the students learn about the middle ages, spread of Islam, African kingdoms, Chinese dynasties.

The following year, students learn about European Exploration, Renaissance, Reformation and Feudal Japan. And finally, in sixth grade, students learn topics which build from what has been taught over the years, such as the Spread of Christianity, the Enlightenment, Romanticism, Industrialism, Capitalism and Socialism. While Core Knowledge is very comprehensive, it is not designed to take up the entire school day. It provides a framework with plenty of room to include additional curricula according to the needs of the students and the requirements of individual states. Johns Hopkins University conducted a three-year study of Core Knowledge schools around the United States and found that at schools where more than half of classrooms used Core Knowledge, their students performed better on standardized tests. Researchers called the improvement "educationally meaningful." For more information, visit the Core Knowledge website at http://www.coreknowledge.org.

Mathematics Curriculum

Saxon Math

This first year, we will be using Saxon Math for grades fourth through twelfth. The Saxon approach to math instruction is known for its adherence to "traditional" teaching methods, including practice and repetition and continual feedback and testing. It differs from other "traditional" methods in the way material is gradually introduced and then reinforced throughout the curriculum, without being set aside, discarded or forgotten It is a teacher-friendly system of math instruction. It leaves very little to chance, where key and supporting concepts are concerned, lesson plans organized, assignments and test material defined. For more information on Saxon Math, visit its website at http://saxonpublishers.harcourtachieve.com.

Singapore Mathematics

Singapore Math will be implemented in grades K-3 this first year then transitioning up a grade each year thereafter. While Saxon is very thorough, Singapore Math gives the younger students a better understanding of the basics. Many young children experience difficulty in trying to understand the one-to-one correspondence between the numbers they are saying and the items they are counting. Singapore math addresses this by adding a pictorial component to bridge the gap between the manipulative to the abstract. The tens-base approach of Singapore Math helps students to better understand place value. Understanding place value is very important in order to move on to multiple-digit arithmetic. Students often make mistakes when regrouping. Singapore gives students a more concrete understanding of place value, which will help them avoid these mistakes. Once the students have obtained a concrete understanding of the basics, they will be very prepared to move on to Saxon Mathematics and to learn the algorithms of arithmetic. The Singapore Math website is http://www.singaporemath.com. You may also be interested in www.singaporemathtraining.com for additional information.

English/Reading Curriculum

The Spalding Method

The Spalding Method is a comprehensive approach to language arts. It teaches correct spelling, reading and writing through phonics. During multi-sensory spelling lessons students learn the rules and phonograms that make up the English language. Students learn to connect letters to the sounds they make during these spelling lessons. This allows students to better concentrate on understanding the content of what they are reading. Students taught under the Spalding method have achieved scores in reading and writing which are higher than state and national averages. Spalding's proven track record has been successfully used in traditional classrooms, as well as with students with special needs and those with students learning English as a second language. For more information on the Spalding Method: http://www.spalding.org/.

Shurley English

Shurley English is a fun, challenging and well-researched approach to teaching students the concepts and rules of the English language. Using repetition, teacher-student interaction and fun methods like jingles, students are able to master challenging skills. Throughout the learning process, students are encouraged to "see it, hear it, say it, do it" so that the needs of all learning styles will be met. >Students are taught how to merge the skills they learn with the writing process. Doing so helps both teachers and students focus more on advanced grammar and writing. A major advantage of learning the parts of a sentence through Shurley English is that these parts are always presented as part of a cohesive whole. In other words, students are taught (through a Q&A approach) how to identify the nouns, verbs, adjectives and other parts of speech within a sentence. This approach gives students a better understanding of how words fit together and encourages higher-level thinking as they work on their own to solve difficult language problems. In addition to proven effectiveness and high test achievement, students and teachers enjoy the Shurley English approach. Students learn to love language and writing. http://www.shurleyenglish.com

Science Curriculum

Science instruction at American Leadership Academy encourages inquiry and exploration through hands-on learning experience using the Delta and FOSS science modules. These modules are used to enhance instruction as outlined in the E.D. Core Knowledge Sequence in addition to Arizona State Standards. The primary grades will also utilize the Nance Larsen Science Curricula to complete the overall science experience. For more information visit: http://www.nancylarsonpublishers.com and http://www.delta-education.com/science/foss.