Curriculum Map 2006-2007  

The Dwight School
Science/Social Studies K/ Kindergarten (Primary Years Program)

Content Purpose/ Objectives Activities/ Assessments Resources
Our School Community
(Week 1, 6 Weeks)
Who We Are
An Inquiry into: How we make and keep friends, how we can create a peaceful classroom community, and strategies for resolving conflicts among friends.



Central Idea: Friendship is important in creating a peaceful classroom community.
Student of the Week
Write Essential Agreement for classroom community
Partner art work
Role-play conflicts and their solutions
Create a class book about friendship
Books: Will I Have a Friend?, The Important Book, May I Bring a Friend, We Are Best Friends by Aliki, People by Spier, Yoko by Wells, Friends by Heine

Weather
(Week 7, 6 Weeks)
How The World Works

Central Idea:



Dinosaurs
(Week 13, 6 Weeks)
Where We Are In Place and Time

Central Idea:



Let's Do Art
(Week 19, 6 Weeks)
How We Express Ourselves
An inquiry into the following: why people create art, the process of art, the lives and works of famous artists, different artistic techniques.

Central Idea: Art is a means of creative expression.
Assess students' knowledge of art and artists prior to the beginning of the unit by doing a brainstorming session.
Experience different artistic techniques and observe students' participation and cooperation.
Create personal art portfolios.
Class art gallery
Observe student participation in discussions.
Write and sketch in individual journals.
Mike Venezia's book series about famous artists, various other biographies about famous artists, Discovering Great Artists book of hands-on activities, sketch books and journals, various art materials, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art

Life in the Rain Forest
(Week 25, 6 Weeks)
How We Share the Planet
An inquiry into the following: where rain forests are located, what the climate is like, what forms of life thrive in the rain forest, how to protect and support the rain forest, how the rain forest is being destroyed.
Central Idea: The rain forest is a unique habitat and is valuable to our society.
Read books to acquire knowledge of the rain forest
Class discussions
Create a class mural of the rain forest
Hatch painted lady butterflies in the classroom
Record process of butterflies in individual journals
Students will research rain forest animals and present their findings to the class
Teacher assessment of student presentations
Videos: "Totally Tropical Rain Forest", "Rainforest Animals", "The Magic School Bus: In the Rainforest", "Wonders of the Rain Forest"
Field Trips: Museum of Natural History and Central Park Zoo
Books: The Great Kapok Tree, Rain Forest Secrets, Over in the Rain Forest, Nature's Green Umbrella, Wonders of the Rain Forest

Farm to Table
(Week 31, 6 Weeks)
How We Organize Ourselves
An inquiry into the following: Where our food comes from and how it may be processed before we eat it.
Central Idea: Many foods need to be transported and/or processed before they reach our tables.
Field trip to a greenmarket
Grow plants and eat products
Prepare food including butter and fruit juice
Research groups
Match products and their sources

photographs, seeds, soil, Internet, community gardens, books and videos
Updated: Tuesday, January 30, 2007
 
«Previous Year