Overview and Developmental Levels
Courtyard utilizes multi-age classrooms to help meet the unique needs of each learner. In our 3rd/4th multiage classroom, students bloom into exceptionally empathetic and artistic students. At this age psychologically, fellow peers have a large influence on how students shape their learning skills, daily goals, and decision making. Therefore, tying in a multiage dynamic, the 4th graders have the opportunity to become leaders and model concepts to 3rd grade students. It also enables improved learning opportunities like spiraled curriculum and peer-to-peer learning, among others.
They will affect each other’s development with empathy, cooperation, healthy self-confidence, and a high emotional IQ.
Curriculum
Our school incorporates a two-year cycle with science and social studies curriculum.
One year we cover these topics:
- Social Studies – California history (Native Californians, Spanish Missions & Mexican Rancho period, Gold Rush, California Statehood, Great Depression and Beyond) with a focus on the experiences of lesser known and marginalized peoples.
- Science – Animal & Plant Structures and Life Forms, Geology, Engineering, Electricity & Conduits
The next year we cover these topics:
- Social Studies – Different forms of government, understanding democracy’s transformation throughout US and world history, learning about founding moments of a variety of nations.
- Science – Space, Energy & Matter, Animal Adaptations within Biomes
Math and ELA are split into small groups that access each student at their academic level plus an extra push (L+1). Students are placed in groups for differentiated instruction which affords them an opportunity to work at their pace based on grade level standards or above.
Our math curriculum, which meets or exceeds California Common Core State Standards, focuses on developing understanding of multiplication and division and strategies for multiplication and division within 100; developing understanding of fractions, especially unit fractions (fractions with numerator 1); developing understanding of the structure of rectangular arrays and of area; and describing and analyzing two-dimensional shapes for grade 3. While grade 4 looks to cover developing understanding and fluency with multi-digit multiplication, and developing understanding of dividing to find quotients involving multi-digit dividends; developing an understanding of fraction equivalence, addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators, and multiplication of fractions by whole numbers; understanding that geometric figures can be analyzed and classified based on their properties, such as having parallel sides, perpendicular sides, particular angle measures, and symmetry.
Field Trips
The overnight field trips your student can look forward to are an overnight at Sutter’s Fort in Midtown Sacramento, a 3-day hiking trip full of science exploration at the Marin headlands, and a 5-day hiking trip within Yosemite National Park. These overnight trips will alternate during the two-year cycle that our class/curriculum is built on.
Our local field trips will enhance the learning we are doing in the classroom, and have an emphasis on community service and include visits to local art galleries and workshops, science museums, and nature preserves.