WESLEY WESLEY WESLEY
CURRICULUM MAP
MISSION STATEMENT
“Withinacommunityofbelonging,wenurture joyful,confidentlearnerstothinkcritically, creatively,andcompassionately.”
WelcometotheWesleyCurriculumMap-descriptionsandgraphicsthatoutlineourstudentcentered, mission-aligned course of study As you engage with the map, please keep in mind thatyouareseeinganover-archingviewofwhatweteachandwhen,ratherthananin-depth examination of particular subjects or grade levels. It does serve to demonstrate the path that our children take from Kindergarten to 8 grade on their way to becoming graduates. The curriculum map is also constantly evolving as we continue to assess and then refine our subjectareas.
WebeginourviewofWesley’sacademicexperiencebycenteringontheimportanceofsocialemotional learning and belonging, which is at the heart of everything we do. Academic engagementandexcellencearedependentonthesecoreprinciplesofourprogram.
A Lens of Belonging
These Concepts build on one another!
Advisory
InMiddleSchool,advisoryisanessentialpartofourweek,ledbyteachersandadministrators whoserveasstudents’mentors,advocates,andprimarylinksbetweenhomeandschool Advisoryisasafe,supportive,smallgroupenvironmentinwhichweintentionallynurture healthymiddleschoolsocial-emotionaldevelopment,andenhancestudents’senseof belonging,senseofself,andofbeingincommunitywiththeirpeersandtrustedadults Each grade-level’scurriculumisspecifictothatage-group,butincludessharedthemesand goals,suchasrelationshipskills,identityandinclusion,academicandfuturereadiness, actionandleadership,andmore Aspartofouradvisoryprogram,studentsalso demonstrateagencythroughleadingtheirownadvisoryconferencestwiceperyear,and prepareforthesethroughareflectiveprocessthatboostsstudents’metacognition
Mathematics
WesleyincorporatesenVisionMathematics,whichisorganizedaroundtheCommonCorestandards formathematics.TheenVisionconceptisto“buildacurriculumthatachievesfocusandcoherencein awaythatisbestfordevelopingdeepunderstandingofmathematicalcontent.”Inaddition,inkeeping withWesley’seducationalphilosophy,enVisionincorporatesSTEAMprojectsaspractical,engaging examplesofmathematicalapplication;becauseitincorporatesrobustwordproblemsandanalytical approaches,italsostrengthensourstudents’vocabulary,problemsolving,andcriticalthinking
KINDER
numbers0-100 classifyandcountdata understandingadditionandsubtraction identify,describe,analyze,compare&createshapes describeandcomparemeasurableattributes additionandsubtractionfactsto20 representandinterpretdata understandingandusingplacevalue comparetwo-digitnumbers measurelengths,shapes,time,andmoney fluentlyaddandsubtractwithin100 extensionofconceptsintimeandmoney addandsubtractwithin1,000usingmodelsandstrategies measuringlength,graphs,anddata fluentlymultiplyanddivideby100 fluentlyaddandsubtractwithin1,000 areaandperimeter useoperationswithwholenumberstosolve understandingfractions measurelengths,shapes,time,andmoney placevalueunderstanding fluentlyadd/subtractmulti-digitwholenumbers multiplyanddivideuptotwodigitnumbers add,subtract,multiplywithfractions understandandcomparedecimals utilizelines,angles,andshapes
5TH
Mathematics
6TH
7TH
usemodelsandstrategiestoadd,subtract,multiply,and dividewholenumbersanddecimals operationswithfractions volume,converting,2Dfigures graphing interpretingnumericalexpressions integersandrationalnumbers numericandalgebraicexpressions representandsolveequationsandinequalities ratio,rate,percent area,surfacearea,advancedvolume display,describe,andsummarizedata
PRE-ALGEBRA OR ACCELERATED PRE-ALGEBRA
integers,Algebraandrationalnumbers linearequations inequalitiesandfunctions applyingAlgebratoGeometry extendingAlgebratostatisticsandpolynomials
8TH
ALGEBRA 1 OR ACCELERATED ALGEBRA 1
extensionof7 gradepre-algebraconcepts th linearequationsandinequalities graphing&dataanalysis quadraticfunctions polynomials
Science
WesleyutilizesSTEMscopesScience,whichisrootedin“Student-driveninquiryofphenomena, real-worldconnections,andhands-onexploration[that]providestudentsameaningful learningexperience” STEMscopesScienceisbothNGSSandCaliforniastandard-aligned, employinglessonsandexperiencesfeaturinglabexperiments,activeexplorationofideas, andinterpretationofwhatstudentsobserve,whichdevelopstheirabilitytorelateandapply scientificconceptstotherealworld
KINDER
animalandplantneeds animalsandplantsinfluencetheirenvironments weatherpatterns energyfromtheSun pushesandpulls
1ST
plantshapes animalsounds shadowsandlight patternsofmotion objectsinthesky
2ND 3RD 4TH
landscapeshapes landscapematerials landscapechanges biodiversityinlandscapes
playgroundforces lifecyclesofsurvival survivingindifferentenvironments weatherimpacts
energytransfer renewableenergy sculptinglandscapes earthquakeengineering animalsenses
5TH
6TH
7TH
whatismattermadeof frommattertoorganisms interactingEarthsystems patternsinthenightsky
EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE
systemsandsubsystemsinEarth&Lifescience howEarthsysteminteractionscreateweather causesandeffectsofregionalclimates effectsofglobalwarmingonlivingsystems
BIOLOGY
cellsandsystems metabolicreactions mattercycling geneticsandnaturalselection
8TH
Physical Science and Chemistry forcesandmotion chemicalandphysicalpropertiesofmatter interactionofmatterandenergy theformsandpropertiesofenergy basicconceptsinchemistryandphysics
Social Studies
WesleyincorporatesTCI’sSocialStudiesAlive,whichisalignedwiththeCommonCore standardsforsocialstudiesaswellasthoseforEnglishlanguageartsandliteracy.This literacyandanalyticalapproachensuresdeepunderstandingofarichandvariedcontent basefromamulticulturalperspectivewhilealsostrengtheningtheconnectionsamong analysis,criticalthinking,discernment,andapplication.
Me and My World
KINDER
1ST
whoamI?whatisafamily? howdoIgetalongwithothers? howdoIsolveproblemswithothers? whatisinmyneighborhood? whereamIintheworld? My School and Family whyisitimportanttolearnfromeachother? whatisamap? whatgroupsdowebelongto? howarefamiliesspecial,whatdotheyneed,andhowdo theychange?whatarefamilytraditions??
2ND
3RD
My Community whatisacommunityandhowaretheydifferent? whatisgeography? howdopeopleuseourenvironment? howaregoodsmadeandbroughttous? howdocommunitieschange?
California’s Community understandingthegeographyoftheworld findingplacesinCalifornia indigenouspeoplesinCalifornia makingcommunitiesbetter governmentintheUnitedStates
4TH
California’sgolden landscape MexicanCalifornia California’sstatehood TheGoldRush
California’s Promise GoverningCalifornia ThepeopleofCalifornia Bringingwatertoathirsty state
AMERICA’S PAST
geographyoftheUnitedStates
indigenouspeoples,theirlands,andculturalregions howandwhyEuropeanscametotheNewWorld earlyEnglishsettlements
slaveryintheAmericas
ColonialWilliamsburg
DeclarationofIndependence
AmericanRevolution
theConstitutionandtheBillofRights
6TH
Ancient Civilizations
analysisoftheevolutionofhumanbeingsandthecreationofancient civilizations
examinationoftheprocessofarchaeology,includingthenecessityand importanceofhistoricartifactsandfossils studyofearlyman,identificationofmainideasanddetails,complexcauseand effect,relationships,andcriticalvocabularywithinnon-fictiontexts mapskillsandworldgeography
ancientcivilizationsofMesopotamia,Egypt,Greece,Rome,andChina researchskillssuchas:identifyingcrediblesourcesforresearch,differentiation betweenprimaryandsecondarysources,note-takingskills,paraphrasingand summarizingtexts,andusingvariousorganizationaltools first-personcreative,writtenandperformanceopportunities expositorywritingbasedontextualevidence,lectures,andclassdiscussions
Social Studies
7TH
Geography and the Exchange of Ideas
thefalloftheRomanEmpiretotheAgeofEnlightenment explorationofcivilizationsandculturesinEurope,theMiddleEast,NorthAfrica,West Africa,China,Japan,CentralAmerica,andSouthAmerica discoveryofculturaldifferencesaswellasunderstandingtheinterconnectednessof culturesthroughouttheworldasinformation,ideology,art,technology,andmore diffusefromoneculturetoanother examinationofplacesandculturesoftheworldwithopenmindswhilerelating eventsinhistorytotheeventsoftheirownlives studentsincorporateexpositorywritingskillsonaweeklybasisanddevelopskillsin thepresentationofinformationinmultipleprojectforms(posters,artwork,sketches, shortfilms,etc.)atleastonceperunitastheyanalyzenumerouseventsinhistoryand theirimpactoncivilizations studentsexpandtheirknowledgeofworldgeography,refinetheirmapskills,and synthesizehowgeographyhasshapedculturesaroundtheworldaswellasourown mindfuldevelopmentofculturalsensitivityandcivicresponsibility
8TH
The United States and Government AmericanhistoryfromearlycolonizationthroughtheCivilWar Studentsbegintounderstandtheoriginsofanationandhowourcountryhaschanged anddevelopedpolitically,socially,economically,andculturally utilizingdailynote-takinganddiscussion,weeklyexpositorywriting,andmultiple projectspertrimester,studentslearnhowtoorganize,interpret,andpresent informationandunderstandhowitmaycorrespondtotheirdailylives throughanalysisofvarioushistoricaleventsinNorthAmericaafterEuropean colonization,studentsrecognizetheinterrelationshipofgeography,economics,culture, beliefsystems,andpoliticalsystems
Studentssurveyournation’smilitaryandpoliticalleaders,explorationoftherolesand experiencesofpeoplefromvarioussocialclasses,alongwiththoseofwomenand otherunderservedpopulationsinordertodeveloptheabilitytoseehistorythrough multiplelensesandtoexploreissuesrelatedtosocialjusticeandadvocacy instudyingourConstitution,studentslearntheinsandoutsofthepoliticalprocess whileanalyzingitseffectivenessand,attimes,ineffectiveness.Studentsactively shareanddiscusscurrenteventsrelatedtotopicsofcultural,political,social,and/or economicsignificance.
English Language Arts
Ourlanguageartsprogrampromotesatrueloveforreadingandwritingwhilebuilding foundationalskillsandscaffoldinginstructiontomeetspecificneeds.Studentslearnavariety of strategiestouseintheir“toolbelt”whilereadingbookstheychoose.
K-5
Ourreadingprogramusesacombinationofthefollowingcurriculums:
GreatMindsGeodes
Geodesaredesignedtobehighlyreadableforbeginningreaders Allstudentsfindmomentsof prideandaccomplishmentastheyprogressfromWordlessPictureBooksandSoundSearch BookstoDuetBooksand,finally,toindependentreadingofpicturebooksandchapterbooks.
WilsonFundations
TheFundationsprogramprovidesKstudentswiththefoundationalskillsforreadingandspelling. Aspartofthecorelanguageartsinstruction,it’sdeliveredtoallstudentsingeneraleducation classroomsfor15-20minutesperday.Fundationsissupplementaltothecoreandprovidesa systematicprogramtocomprehensivelyaddressfoundationalWordStudySkillssuchas:
-Printconcepts(achild'sunderstandingofthenatureandusesofprint;theunderstandingthat writtenlanguagecarriesmeaning)
-Phonologicalandphonemicawareness(phonologicalawarenessistheabilitytoidentifyand manipulateunitsoforallanguage partssuchaswordsandsyllables;phonemicawarenessis theabilitytofocusonandmanipulateindividualsounds[phonemes]inspokenwords)
-Phonicsandwordstudy,includinghighfrequencysightwords(theabilitytorecognizethe relationshipbetweenletters[graphemes]andsounds[phonemes]andletterpatterns)
-Fluency(theabilitytoreadatextaccurately,quickly,andwithexpression)
-Comprehension,Spelling,andHandwritingSkills
Additionally,Fundationssignificantlyreinforcesreadingcomprehensionandvocabularyinan integratedapproach.
OurWritingProgramusesthefollowingcurriculum:
StepUptoWriting
StepUptoWriting® isacomprehensiveprogramofmultisensorywritingstrategiesthatdevelop students’abilitytocreatethoughtful,well-writtencompositions.Thesolution’sexplicitand systematicapproachtoteachingwritingisdesignedtoprovideclearstrategies,methods,and supportsforincreasedwritingsuccessinallcontentareas.Createdforallstudents,thestrategies canbeintegratedintoanycurriculumorimplementedasastandalonewritingsolution.
English Language Arts
The6thgradelanguageartscurriculumbalancesthestudyofliteraryanalysis,research,and writing Thethemeof6thgradeliteratureisidentity,andstudentsworktoexaminecharacters’ identitiesinanefforttobetterunderstandtheirown.Studentsreadshortstoriesatthestartof thecoursetofamiliarizethemselveswithliterarydevicesandterminology,suchasfigurative language,plot,typesofconflict,andpoints-of-view.Theyareexpectedtousethesetermsin theirliterarydiscoursethroughouttheyear.
Significantfocusthenshiftstounderstandinghowtomakeinferencesthroughoutatext Studentslearntoannotatetextstoidentifyevidenceofcharacterdevelopment,foreshadowing, typesofconflict,symbolism,andtheme Theyapplytheseskillsastheyreaddifferentnovels throughouttheyear,aswellaslearningtoanalyzeanauthor’spurpose,tone,voice,anduseof literarydevices.Throughoutthestudyofeachnovel,studentslearnnewvocabularyand participateinanalyticalliteraturecircles,creativewriting,classdiscussions,andcreative projects.
Throughoutallliteratureunits,studentsfocusonexpositorywritingandlearntoanalyze literature,usingstrongtextualevidencetosupportassertions Studentsalsocompleteasocial justiceunitwhichteachesthemtoresearchachosentopic,identifycrediblesources, summarizeinformation,andcreativelyadvocateforthoseaffectedbytheissue Studentsalso practiceanunderstandingofgrammarthroughouttheyearastheystudypartsofspeech, sentencestructure,andpunctuation.
7TH
English Language Arts
Thiscoursefocusesontheprominenceofsocial,political,cultural,andhistorical ideologieswithintheUnitedStates.Throughthestudyofdiversewriters,studentswill examinewhatitmeanstobethehero/heroineinmodern-dayAmerica.Throughcross-cultural communication,eachstudentwillgaintheopportunitytoimmersethemselvesinadiverseand inclusiveeducationalstructure Thecoursewillacknowledgeandcelebrateculture,race,and genderidentity Fromaliteraryandmediaperspective,eachunitwillexaminesignificant elementsthatdefinetheheroicexperience,including:language&citizenship;education& reform;religion&spirituality;folklore&myths;politicalideologies;identitiesandrelated terminology,andmodern-dayfeminism.
Usingliteratureasasteppingstone,studentswillexplorehistorical,political,and anthropologicalissuesraisedbytheclassmaterialsandcomparethemtotheirideological counterpartshereinAmerica.Studentswilladvancetheirwritingandverbalskillsthrough analyticalessays,oralpresentations,andhistoricalresearchpapers Thiscoursewillultimately combineFilmStudies,English,History,Sociology,andAnthropology
8TH
Thiscourseisdesignedforstudentswhoaspiretolearninanadvancedpedagogical environmentthatincorporatesa21stCenturyapproachtowardslearning;followingthe mindsetofHowardGardner’smultipleintelligences,theclassadvocatesthevaluesofvisual, kinesthetic,musical,interpersonal,intrapersonal,spatial,andlogicallearners Studentswithin thiscoursearetrackedtostudyinIndependentHighSchoolsthatwillofferHonorsandAP courseswithintheirEnglishDepartment Theclasswillfirstapproachliteraturefroma philosophicalstandpoint:discussingPlato’s“AllegoryoftheCave,”toguideeachstudentwith theunderstandingofacharacter’sjourneyandtheabilitytoseekouttruthwithinone’s society.Studentsoftheclasswillconducttheirstudiedunitsasanopportunitytoexplore historical,political,andanthropologicalissues,whichareraisedbythereadingandcompare themtotheirsocio-ideologicalcounterpartsofpresent-dayAmerica.
Duringeachunit,studentswillbeassignedavarietyofprojectstoassesstheirabilityto comprehend,identify,andanalyzetheauthor’spurpose Courseassignmentswillinclude analyticalandpersuasiveessays(in-classandtake-home),creativewritingprojects(letters, originalmonologues,oral/multi-mediapresentations,screenplays,songjournals,editorials, originalpoems,originalshortstories,andapersonalnarrative),andunitquizzesandteststo assesstheacademicprogressofeachstudent.
Spanish
1ST-5TH
Studentsin1st-5thgradeexploreintroductoryvocabulary,syntax,culturalelements,and soundsrelatedtoSpanishlanguageandculture.TheyprocessthroughbasicSpanish vocabulary,phrasesandgrammar,includingnoun/adjectiveagreement,pronouns,and conjugatingcommonverbs(ser,estar,tener,etc.)aswellasexpressionsoftener.Thisis practicedthroughreal-worldconversationsandquestioning.Games,dialogues,songs, videos,literature,andeducationaltechnology(usingtheir1-to-1laptopsforSeñorWooly,and GSuiteforEducation)areusedtomakethelearningfunandengaging.Authenticmusicand multimediatoolsareusedwheneverpossibletopresentstudentswithadditionallanguage models,andstudentsareencouragedtocontinuetheirlanguagelearningathomethrough onlineandmobileapps.MembersoftheWesleycommunity(staffandparents)areinvited intotheclassroomtoteachstudentsabouttheircountriesoforigin.Inaddition,weincludea culturalcomponentschoolwidewiththecelebrationofDíadeMuertos Studentsalsohave theopportunitytolearnaboutdifferentcelebrationsthattakeplacethroughoutLatin America
6TH-8TH
MiddleSchoolSpanishisathree-yearcoursewhichfocusesontherepetitionof communicatinginSpanishtoenhanceretentionandcomprehension,ultimatelyresultingin strongpreparationforhighschoolSpanish Eachcoursestartswithareviewoftheprevious year’sbuildingblocksofSpanishvocabularyandsyntax,andbuildstoamorecomplex understandingandapplicationoftheSpanishlanguage,withmoreopportunitiestogain writtenandspokenlanguageproficiency.Inaddition,studentswillcontinuetodevelopan awarenessofthedistinctcultures,traditions,celebrations,arts,geography,and/orancient civilizationsoftheSpanish-speakingworld.Reading,writing,andcomprehensionexercises arehighlightedthroughcollaborativework,student-ledwhole-groupactivities,engaging projects,andextensionprojectstochallengeanddeepentheirunderstandingoftheSpanish languageandSpanish-speakingcultures.
Fine Arts
Wesley’sMissioncallsforustodevelopthewholechild,andone’seducationandpreparationforlife experiencesimplycan’tbecompletewithoutanunderstandingofandappreciationforthearts.Our goalistofirstgivechildrenaccesstovariousdisciplinesinordertocreateawell-roundedexperience, andthentohopefullyinspiremanyofthemtoexploreanextendedjourneyinoneormoreofthese artisticendeavors
MUSIC
linedrawing,geometricshapes,texture,color,andformare exploredthroughartprojects practicingeye-handcoordination,finemotorskills,and cuttingskills explorationoftheselfthroughselfportraits vocabularybuilding form,emotion,key,orchestration,andhowthemusic enhancesthetheatricalexperience sight-singing,harmonizing listeningtomusicfromotherculturesandcountries, describingthedifferencesinscaleandmode presentingandparticipatinginvariousholidayshowsand Community
VISUAL ART
Physical Education & Health/Human Development
WelcometoTheWesleySchoolPhysicalEducation(PE)Department!HereatWesley,wesupportall studentathletesfortheirindividualachievements,aswellasfortheirteamefforts,andwepushevery studenttobeanathlete,regardlessoftheirnaturalabilitylevel Wesleystudentshaveagreattime learningtraditionalsportsandgames,aswellasparticipatinginotherclassactivitiesthatare developmentallyappropriatefortheiragelevel Ourgoalisforstudentstodeveloplifelonghealthy habitsandanappreciationforphysicalactivityandcollaboration.
grossmotor,collaboration,teamwork,andteambuilding skills
K-2 3-5
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
motorskillsandmovementpatternsessentialforvarious physicalactivities fosteringalifelongcommitmenttophysicalfitness refinementofbasiclocomotorskills,developmentof manipulativeskillssuchasthrowingandcatching,and integrationofmovementpatternsintogame-likescenarios emphasizesportsmanshipandcooperation,ensurean understandingofsafetyrules,andestablishasolid foundationformorecomplexactivities
buildonK-5locomotorskillswithanemphasison collaboration createopportunitiesforallstudentstoaccessthebenefitsof physicalactivitytosupportmentalandemotionalhealth participateincreativegamesthatstrengthenseasonorientedskillbuilding
understandingtheirbodiesandfeelingequippedtohandle physicalandemotionalchangesthatoccur improvinginterpersonalcommunicationskillsrelatedto boundariesandconsent increasingcomfortcommunicatingwithtrustedadults aboutpuberty,health,andsafety
Electives and Enrichment
TheElectiveandEnrichmentProgramoffersopportunitiesforstudentstoexpressthemselvesthrough visualarts,musicandperformance,andtechnology,developcharacterandstrongrelationships,and fostercreativegrowthinasafe,fun,positive,andinspiringenvironment Ourmissionistoprovidea learningspaceinwhichtechnicaldevelopment,problemsolving,criticalthinking,and independence/interdependencecanthrive Wenotonlyfocusongrowthinstudents’confidence, integrity,acceptance,adaptability,poise,andself-knowledge,butalsoworktointegratetheartswith socialjustice,diversity,inclusivity,identity,andcommunitythroughteamworkandcollaboration.
STEAM
THEATRE
coding&programming robotics
designthinking
3Ddesigns musictechnology introductiontoacting introductiontotheatre middleschoolplay middleschoolmusical
MUSIC
musictechnology
performance songwriting musictheory musichistory
ART
3Ddesigns
advanceddrawing/painting streetart
LEGAL SYSTEMS
speechandperformance introtolegalsystems mocktrial
Field Trips/Overnight Trips
Theoutdooreducationprogramincludesdaytripsfor3rd,4th,and5thgraders;afall6thgrade overnighttrip;7 and8 gradeovernighttripsinthefall,andaspring7 gradeovernightleadership retreat.Ourprogramculminateswithasignature8thgradetriptoLondontheweekpriortospring break.ThistripaugmentselementsoftheEnglishcurriculum,specificallyShakespeare,andprovides thosestudentswhoattendwitharemarkableexperience,onethatenhancestheirparticipationinour 8thgradeprogrambothsociallyandacademically th th th
Tripssuchasthese,thatgrowoutoftheschoolcurriculum,allowteacherstheopportunityto incorporatethependingexperienceintotheirteaching,providingaremarkableopportunityfor applyinglearnedinformation,buildingindependence,creatingglobalawareness,formingeven strongerfriendshipbonds,andprovidingnewvenuesforcognitivedevelopmentthroughauthentic experiences.Alloftheseprogramsareincludedintuition.
FIELD TRIPS
RETREATS
TheTeachingZoo
ThePublicLibrary
UnderwoodFamilyFarms
TheChumashIndian Museum
NaturalHistoryMuseum
LosAngelesMusicCenter FulcrumTeamBuilding
6thGrade:AstroCampandTheatricum Botanics
7thGrade:Malibucamping/leadership
7th&8thGrades:CIMI(Catalina)
8 Grade:London th
Student Activities
Muchofthemagicthathappensinanindependentschooltranspiresoutsideofthesubject-specific arena,andWesleyintentionallyprovidesapaletteofvariedexperiencesinordertofulfillandinspire ourchildren Weofferextensioninacademicdisciplines,competitioninathleticandacademicarenas, opportunitiesforpersonalgrowthandadvocacy,andotheroptionalorenrichmentactivitiesthat rotatethroughouttheyear Wealsoworktoestablishsignatureexperiencesforgradeandprogram levelengagement,andtheseareajoytosharewithfamiliesaswell
Track/CrossCountry
Volleyball SpiritSquad
MiddleSchoolPlay
MockTrial
WESLEY WESLEY
