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Curriculum Overview
Freedom
Academy uses
the highly acclaimed, academically rigorous Core Knowledge Sequence,
Saxon Math and Spalding Reading to ensure that our students meet and
exceed the Utah State Core Curriculum. Other subjects, including
computer science, art, Spanish, drama, and music, are taught from
Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) lesson plans. We hire certified
teachers and provide extensive training in implementing these
curricula.
Core Knowledge
The Core Knowledge curriculum provides a systematic sequence of
grade-specific content to be taught each year. This core content is
organized to grow through the class levels, becoming more
sophisticated and detailed in each successive grade. This sequential
building of knowledge not only helps ensure that children enter each
new grade ready to learn, but also helps prevent repetitions and
gaps. See more at www.coreknowledge.org.
To prepare for the start of the school year, we suggest you buy (from
any major bookstore, including local Springville/Orem bookstore Funfinity) or borrow (from a
public library) the Core Knowledge Sequence book for the grade level
your child has just completed:
- What Your
Kindergartner Needs to Know
- What Your 1st
Grader Needs to Know
- What Your 2nd
Grader Needs to Know
- What Your 3rd
Grader Needs to Know
- What Your 4th
Grader Needs to Know
- What Your 5th
Grader Needs to Know
Spalding Language Arts
The Spalding Method is a total language arts
system. Spalding helps young children understand how individual
sounds work together (phonemic awareness) and then assigns written
symbols to the sounds. Older children participate in reading, writing
and discussing a wide range of high-quality literature. See more at www.spalding.org.
If parents wish to prepare their child for Freedom Academy, click here
to see a list of books for the grade your child has just completed.
Read with your child daily, and encourage him/her to read independently
as well. This list will help parents understand what the reading
expectations are. Student homework includes a book report each month
beginning in second or third grade. Teachers ask students to choose
books from local libraries using varying criteria, depending on grade
level and student reading ability.
Saxon Math
Saxon Math introduces each concept to children
and allows them to build upon it as they learn new ones. Each area of
learning increases in complexity and is practiced daily to provide
the time required for concepts to become familiar. Saxon textbooks
divide concepts into small, easily grasped pieces called increments.
A new increment is presented each day and students work only a few
problems involving the new material. The remaining homework consists
of practice problems involving concepts previously introduced. Thus,
every assignment (and every test) is a cumulative review of all
material covered up to that point. See more at www.saxonpublishing.com.
Because Saxon math is an accelerated math
program, students work at least one grade level ahead of a
traditional school. To prepare children for the Freedom
Academy curriculum, we
suggest reading or purchasing the Saxon Math materials that your
child would have used if he/she were enrolled in Freedom Academy
last year. You may purchase materials from Saxon (most
expensively), from Latter Day Family Resources or Teach-n-kids
(new but discounted), or used from Follett
(least expensively). A teacher's manual or workbook is not necessary
if you know how to do the math for each grade level. If your child
has mastered the concepts and content outlined in the following books
for his/her grade level, he/she will be well prepared.
Download
the Saxon math placement tests from Saxon Publishers. Test your
child to determine at what level he/she is currently. Your child will
need to be able to complete the tests with at least 85% accuracy. It
is very important that your child is up to the Freedom Academy
grade level at the start of the school year.
Current Kindergartners use Saxon 1 (workbook)
this year.
Current 1st graders use Saxon 2 (workbook) this
year.
Current 2nd graders use Saxon 3 (workbook) this
year.
Current 3rd graders use EITHER Saxon 4 (workbook)
OR Saxon 5/4 (textbook) this year.
Current 4th graders use Saxon 6/5 (textbook) this
year.
Current 5th graders use Saxon 7/6 (textbook) this
year.
Other Curriculum Resources
Cultural Literacy, E.D. Hirsch, Jr.
Books to Build On: A
Grade-by-Grade Resource Guide, John
Holden, E.D. Hirsch, Jr.
The Educated Child: A Parent's
Guide, William J. Bennett, Chester E.
Finn, Jr., John T.E. Cribb, Jr.
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