SPIRAL Curriculum Overview
Adventures in Wild Weather, Susan Dickinson - Get ready for a wild weather ride as we focus on the science of meteorology and investigate the phenomenon of our Earth’s weather and discover why things happen the way they do. Thunderstorms? Tornadoes? Hurricanes? Tsunamis? How do they work? What causes them? Where in the world do they happen and why? These are just a few of the questions we will explore and understand the answers to. Hold onto your hats for a stormy adventure!
Code, Create, Collaborate – Program On! (3CPO), Jiye Song - Have you ever wanted to create your own game, app, or invention? Coding will help us learn how to take an idea and program it using a computer. To do this, we will need to learn how to read and write code in both Scratch, Blockly, C programming, and Python. So, let’s code, create, collaborate and program on!
Mysteries in Medical Science, Sarah Chu Refine your sleuthing skills as you solve mysteries in life sciences! We will explore mysteries in medical science and go on adventures through the human body, forensics, and DNA. You’ll practice your surgical skills, learn to save lives and expand your career opportunities all while enhancing your artistic abilities. Get your scalpel ready!
Ancient Civilizations, Ashley Kopczynski - SPIRAL is bringing history to life in Ancient Civilizations! We learn about the Mesopotamians, Mayas, Chinese, Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks during the semester. We investigate the civilizations’ geography, inventions, language, and number system. We discover their architecture and have chances to construct some of our very own. We use all areas of study to explore the amazing wonders of this world. Prepare to board the SPIRAL time machine!
Exciting Explorations in Engineering, Molly Nipper -In this highly engaged, hands-on, inquiry based STEM class, students will study Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Students will discover and apply physics principles as they study engineering in elementary school! Students will develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and teamwork during in-class projects throughout the semester. As little engineers, students will engage in individual and team challenges such as the “Eggsperiment” Challenge, design a Rube Goldberg machine, and a mousetrap race car. To apply math skills, students will learn to calculate physics math problems. We will also explore space. Students will learn about past, present, and future space missions to the Moon and Mars. Prepare to blast off!
From Rocks to Robotics, Violeta Ortega -Take a journey through time and technology! We will pick apart how different gadgets function and how technology has changed over the years, while also connecting these technologies to exciting historical eras – such as the Renaissance and the World Wars. Get ready for exciting learning adventures!
Our Energetic Earth, Polly Osei - What do the words fuel, fossils, frac, fish, fusion and FUN have in common? Energize your learning in this unit about energy with an emphasis on petroleum. We are diving deep into the history, chemistry, extraction, geology, uses, geography and economic impact of what has been said to be – next to water – the world's most important resource. This unit is full of learning experiences that will keep minds and hands busy. Renewable resources like wind, geothermal, biomass, solar energy and alternative energy sources are also examined. In addition, students will transform into A Disney Imagineer and create their own Disney story, character and amusement park ride.
The Atoms Family, Iain Pace - Have you ever wondered why water is such an important part of our world, or why an apple turns brown after you cut it? Questions like these will be answered when you begin to explore the bonds that make our physical world. In the beginning, students will learn about the humble atom and by the end of the semester they will have a basic understanding of chemical reactions and compounds. All the while learning the history of chemistry with lots of hands on activities.
A Penny Saved Is a Penny Earned, Annie Mitchell - We learn about how consumers, producers, supply, and demand play important role in the value of goods and services. We understand the banking system and how we can earn, save, spend, and donate money. We create a micro-economy on Market Day with duct tape products. We analyze the stock market and why current Fortune 500 companies are successful. We study different types of economic systems, key entrepreneurs, and even create an innovative product through the Design Thinking Process that will be presented to a Shark Tank. It’s time to show me the money!