Curriculum

Classroom Pages

Language Arts - Teachers are encouraged to use multi-sensory structured language approaches to reading decoding/spelling, as well as rich experiences in reading high quality literature in guided reading groups, with many opportunities for students to engage in texts and respond to them. We do not use any reading “program” or basal texts. Writing instruction incorporates ideas from 6 Traits in a writing workshop setting. Students gain skills in oral communication through classroom experiences in social skills, group work, various presentations, and performances for a variety of audiences.

Math - Grades K-5 use materials and methods from Everyday Math (University of Chicago), which is a rich math curriculum encouraging student discovery, use of alternative and creative algorithms, and engagement in all strands of mathematics. Middle school math classes use a combination of Everyday Math, other math programs/texts, and teacher-developed project-based math learning. We emphasize understanding and communication of concepts in math more than rote memorization of facts or drills in computation.

Science - Our students have rich opportunities to work in environmental science areas in our neighboring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, natural area reserves, and other areas around our island community, as well as outdoors on our beautiful rain forest campus. Many of our elementary teachers use materials from FOSS science kits, as well as teacher-developed activities. Some elementary teachers have been working with UH Hilo students in creating and implementing PRISM science units.

Social Studies - At the elementary level, individual teachers and sometimes groups of teachers create their own social studies curricula, often integrating this content area with language arts learning. Our middle school social studies teacher provides courses in Ancient History, Pacific Island Studies/Hawaiian Monarchy, and U.S. History from colonial days through the Civil War, to parallel DOE schools and facilitate student preparation for public high school social studies requirements.

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