The Core Knowledge Curriculum
The Core Knowledge curriculum is based on some of the ideas presented by E. D. Hirsch, Jr. in his well-known books, Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know and The Schools We Need and Why We Don’t Have Them, and further developed by the foundation he established in 1986.
In each grade students will be exposed to a broad range of historical, scientific, and cultural topics that will build on one another to prepare them for later educational success. This wide array of subject matter will not only develop cultural literacy but also will build the strong vocabulary necessary for true reading comprehension. Core Knowledge tries to develop cultural literacy in a way that is systematic, but leaves room for creativity for both teacher and student.
Core Knowledge strives to achieve academic excellence, greater fairness, and higher literacy by providing a solid, specific, shared core curriculum in order to help children establish strong foundations of knowledge.
Yet, while there is a great deal of emphasis on the core knowledge at each grade level, we at Saint Albans recognize that every child is unique. Thus, our faculty strives to bring out the best in each learner by recognizing each child's strengths, interests and weaknesses. At the same time, however, it is important to note that every child remains a part of a larger community and that effective communication within a community is ultimately dependent on its members sharing a common knowledge.
A graph outlining the Core Knowledge sequence for early elementary and preschool programs, as well as answers to some frequently asked questions, may be found by clicking on the links below.
Preschool Curriculum Sequence
Elementary Curriculum Sequence
Frequently Asked Questions
In each grade students will be exposed to a broad range of historical, scientific, and cultural topics that will build on one another to prepare them for later educational success. This wide array of subject matter will not only develop cultural literacy but also will build the strong vocabulary necessary for true reading comprehension. Core Knowledge tries to develop cultural literacy in a way that is systematic, but leaves room for creativity for both teacher and student.
Core Knowledge strives to achieve academic excellence, greater fairness, and higher literacy by providing a solid, specific, shared core curriculum in order to help children establish strong foundations of knowledge.
Yet, while there is a great deal of emphasis on the core knowledge at each grade level, we at Saint Albans recognize that every child is unique. Thus, our faculty strives to bring out the best in each learner by recognizing each child's strengths, interests and weaknesses. At the same time, however, it is important to note that every child remains a part of a larger community and that effective communication within a community is ultimately dependent on its members sharing a common knowledge.
A graph outlining the Core Knowledge sequence for early elementary and preschool programs, as well as answers to some frequently asked questions, may be found by clicking on the links below.
Preschool Curriculum Sequence
Elementary Curriculum Sequence
Frequently Asked Questions