CURRICULUM OVERVIEW  

The Summit Preparatory School * 922 West Republic Road * Springfield, MO  65807  

Curriculum Subject Areas
The following is presented in an effort to provide an overview of the academic program at The Summit.  Our curriculum is subject to alteration and refinement as we respond to the needs of our students and to our continuing knowledge of best practices in teaching and learning.  

Communication Arts
The Summit communication arts curriculum promotes the development of students as readers, writers, speakers, and listeners through experiences with meaningful communication.  The faculty is committed to maintaining a developmentally appropriate approach, the goal of which is to foster children’s lifelong enthusiasm for and facility with language.  We provide a variety of approaches to the teaching of reading and support differing rates of development, carefully monitoring the progress of individual children.  Small group and individual instruction is provided through guided reading in kindergarten through grade three, and then literature discussion groups in fourth grade and up.  Conferencing and careful note taking ensure that students’ needs are paid attention to.  Students are introduced to reading strategies, including the use of picture, context, and phonetic clues, with content areas.  Students learn about the structure of language, punctuation, and spelling through direct instruction and as they edit and publish written work.  As children become more skillful with written language, conventional spelling is expected.  Students are introduced to the D’Nealian manuscript letter formations beginning in kindergarten.  Cursive writing is introduced in grade two.  Students are also introduced to the use of the computer as a tool to support research writing.  

Mathematics
The Summit math curriculum promotes the development of skills and concepts from the concrete to the abstract in keeping with National Standards.  Primary goals include the development of problem-solving strategies, the acquisition of basic computational skills, and the growth of confidence in using numbers effectively in everyday life.  Teachers use mathematical reasoning as a focus of instruction and as the standard for verification in classrooms.  Students spend time exploring meaningful mathematical problems in depth, choosing from a variety of materials and technology, as a part of everyday mathematical work.  They express their mathematical thinking and problem solving through drawing, writing and talking.  In kindergarten, children develop mathematical understanding through activities that introduce them to math concepts/strategies.  Teachers in grades one through five use Everyday Mathematics as a core curriculum.  Everyday Mathematics is a curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project.  This curriculum is integrated and supports the goals we’ve identified as mathematical learning.  Explorer’s mathematics curriculum supports the step process of learning offered by the Everyday Mathematics program.  They begin with middle school math concepts that carry them through pre-algebra and algebra.   

Science
The Summit students explore science concepts through a curriculum that promotes the development of science research skills.  Our science program provides opportunities for children to explore the natural world through observation, collection and measurement of data, journal writing, experimentation, inquiry, and prediction.  General science concepts are introduced through the study of broad topics at each grade level, with mix of life, earth, and physical science.  Science exploration is enhanced through field trips to local university science labs as well as the Discovery Center.      

Social Studies
Beginning with family and friends at school (kindergarten), community and citizenship (first and second grade), state (third grade), nation (fourth and fifth grade), and world (Explorers), The Summit social studies curriculum develops an understanding of self, and one’s relationship to others and to the environment.  Throughout the study, students develop an understanding of geography and celebrate the diversity of our culture.  In small group work, discussions, projects, and hands-on-activities, social studies is integrated with other curricular areas.  Each grade level focuses on one country to study multi-cultural awareness of other people and cultures, learn and practice skills to live in a diverse community and recognize opportunities for social response/action.  Literature, presentations and group activities are primary modes of instruction.  

Spanish
The Spanish program at The Summit encourages students to develop effective use of a second language including confidence in speaking, reading, writing, and listening.  Students begin the study of Spanish in kindergarten and continue to study this language through the eighth grade.  Students spend most of their language time engaged in speaking and listening as they dance, sing, and listen to the language and engage in conversation with their teacher.  Students experience the language in written form with the integration of technology to supplement the understanding of the geography and culture of Spanish speaking countries.      

Physical Education
The kindergarten program is aimed at challenging each student to demonstrate progress toward the mature form of selected manipulative, locomotor, and non-locomotor skills.  The student will be able to identify fundamental movement patterns (e.g., skipping, galloping), establish a beginning movement vocabulary (e.g., personal space, fast, slow), and apply appropriate concepts to performance (e.g. change directions while running).  A main focus is providing students with positive attitudes toward physical activity.  With teacher reinforcement, the students will be able to apply classroom rules, procedures, and safety practices.  Skills and games center on seasonal sports and recreational activities.  As well as focusing on fundamental age-appropriate skills and games, students will learn that physical activity and healthy nutrition are good for the body, and that they contribute to an active and healthy lifestyle.  First through Fifth grade’s Physical Education program is based on the strong belief that a healthy, balanced, well-rounded student has a greater chance of learning, understanding, and excelling in and out of the classroom.  Fundamental age-appropriate motor skills are progressively refined and combined into more specific sport skills.  The student will be introduced to a variety of skill through individual and team sports.  The curriculum stresses sportsmanship and fair play in all areas, with more sport-specific activity in the later years.  Through physical activity, the courses provide opportunity for challenge, enjoyment, self-discovery, self-expressions, and lifelong skills to enhance one’s quality of life.  The Explorers physical education course places a strong emphasis on developing knowledge and skills in various team sports and activities.  Students learn basic skills and strategies through lead-up games and activities.  Exposure to a variety of skills and sports allows the student to build motor development.  

Visual Arts
The Summit visual arts program encourages personal fulfillment through art experiences as well as an appreciation of the artistic process and the role of art in society.  Process is stressed equally with product.  Concepts, vocabulary, and technique are all important.  The student’s experiences, based on a sequential and developmental time line, include exploring art forms (drawing, painting, sculpture, fibers, and jewelry) as well as elements of design such as color, line, shape, form, texture, and value.  Students spend time weekly with the art specialist in the art room.  

Music
The Summit music program introduces students to music’s universal quality as a common bond in our diverse culture.  Each grade level works toward mastery of appropriate learner outcomes within the basic concepts of music: melody, rhythm, harmony, form, dynamics, texture, timbre, tempo and movement.  Students attend music classes three times each week.  Students may participate in band, chorus, or piano lessons after school.      

Computers
Computer technology is used throughout the school to enhance and support the existing curriculum.  The main focus for kindergarten is exposure and comfort with computer technology.  First graders begin word processing and master basic techniques.  Second through Fifth grade computer activities support all areas of the curriculum with word processing, presentation programs, on-line research techniques, and instruction in basic keyboarding skills.  Kindergarten through Fifth grade students access technology in the classroom with a laptop cart.  Students in the Explorers program are required to bring a laptop for use in the classroom.