Subjects

In an effort to create a challenging sixth, seventh, eighth grade and Algebra curriculum with high expectations for all scholars, we use a variety of resources including Big Ideas Math by Big Ideas Learning, Engage NY, Crosswalk Coach by Triumph Learning, and Ready NY by Curriculum Associates to develop and differentiate rigorous and engaging lessons. All resources are aligned to the Common Core Standards and include all of the domains our scholars must develop an understanding of including Ratios and Proportions, The Number System, Expressions and Equations, Probability and Statistics, Geometry, Functions (8th Grade). Students also have the opportunity to be in an accelerated two-year Common Core Algebra Sequence, which culminates with the scholars successfully completing the Common Core Algebra Regents. While developing unit plans and lesson plans, teachers work together to identify the critical content the standard is addressing and determine which resource is the best to use for that content. Teachers plan and use a variety of monitoring techniques throughout the lesson and the unit to check for student understanding and mastery of the critical content.

Through out the 3 years, students will learn about mathematics and how it relates to the real world. Scholars will be able to use logic, problem solving skills, and algebraic reasoning to solve Cognitively Complex Real World Application Tasks while also mastering basic fundamental skills. At the end of each unit, students, oftentimes in organized groups, will complete a culminating multi-step task, which incorporates multiple standards covered throughout the unit and applies to the real world. At the end of the school year, each student completes an extended Exhibition Project that they present during the Night of Excellence to their peers and families. Scholars graduate from New World Prep with a strong understanding of mathematics and be able to apply it in high school, college, and throughout their everyday life.

The science curriculum for grades 6-8 is guided by our adoption and implementation of the FOSS and Lab-AIDS/SEPUP curriculum modules across all grades aligned to a research-based scope and sequence. These modules are developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley and focuses on skills, practices, concepts and content recommended by the National Science Education Standards, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), New York State Intermediate Level Science Core Curriculum (Grades 5-8), and the AAAS Benchmarks for Scientific Literacy. In addition, the curriculum utilizes the “5E” approach: engage, explore, explain, extend and evaluate to support science and literacy learning within a constructivist and cognitive approach (Bybee et.al., 2006).  The program is based on the premise that the best way to learn science is by doing science. Through a spiraled scope and sequence, students investigate the science disciplines of biology, chemistry, earth science and physics. Within each module, students learn to observe, generate ideas, predict, make hypothesis, test their ideas logically and empirically, communicate findings and apply meaning to their daily lives. In keeping with NWP’s social justice focus, students explore relevant issues in our society related to health care, water equity, forensic science, risk management, human impact and bioethics.

Bybee, R.W., Taylor, J.A., Gardner, A., Van Scotter, P., Carlson Powell, J., Westbrook, A. and Landes, N. (2006). BSCS 5E instructional model: Origins and effectiveness. A report prepared for the Office of Science Education, National Institutes of Health. Colorado Springs, CO: BSCS

The Social Studies curriculum at New World Preparatory consists of thematic units that follow the New York State Scope and Sequence and are supplemented with the Holt McDougal Eastern Hemisphere text in the sixth grade and Holt McDougal United States History text in seventh and eight grades. Students develop critical thinking skills and an understanding of how to generate solutions to societal problems and international conflicts through social action and policy creation. They are encouraged to analyze history based on the perspective of which groups were absent from decision-making. Students use a variety of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments, and turning points in both World and United States history. Students are exposed to primary sources, newspapers, visual media, field trips, and guest speakers to bring the curriculum alive.. There is a strong focus on literacy skills to further develop the reading strategies, academic vocabulary, critical thinking and writing skills to help every student learn history; additionally, students are exposed to research and discovery using technology consistently within the Social Studies classroom. Students are encouraged to analyze history through several perspectives using the supplemental resource Howard Zinn’s A Young Peoples History of the United States. Curriculum is also supplemented with relating current event articles to encourage students’ in building connections between history and the modern world.

The Literacy Leaders Program at NWP allows staff members and students to become leaders of literacy. The program aims to improve student performance, specifically in reading. Students receive skill-based instruction to develop their reading and writing proficiency. The Literacy Leaders program follows a specific framework to support all aspects of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. School-wide academic vocabulary words are taught to all students. Teachers model fluent reading and comprehension strategies. Students are grouped homogeneously into guided reading groups according to their instructional reading levels. Once in a group, student progress is carefully monitored by a Literacy Leaders teacher through conferencing and individualized learning goals. Students are expected to practice and apply their reading skills in guided groups, as well as individually. Teachers receive ongoing professional development to develop and share their skills as well as to maximize the effectiveness of their instruction throughout the year.

All NWP students are enrolled in Spanish through the duration of their three years at NWP. The main component of NWP’s Spanish curriculum, based on Viva en Espanol, has been designed with a dual entry point. Our standards based units of study can be used both with those students just beginning their Spanish studies and with those students who have previously acquired some knowledge of Spanish. Students are given a chance to develop and advance proficiency while promoting basic language-acquisition principles through an enthusiastic, lively, and positive approach. Students not only develop immediate language skills, but are also equipped with useful, life-long language acquisition strategies.

All NWP scholars are enrolled in PE through the duration of their three years at NWP. We use a Sport Education Model along with other fitness components (Calisthenics, Static and Dynamic stretching, and components of Fitness gram*). Students are encouraged to promote lifelong health and wellness, as well as to give children a positive, challenging and rewarding physical education experience. Aligned with the NYS physical education standards, students not only develop motor, cognitive, and social skills, but also improve fitness levels and give children the knowledge to combat the current obesity epidemic. NWP strives to safely provide the means for students to enjoy physical activity, become more confident with their abilities, increase their knowledge of health related fitness, and find ways to continue to be physically active.

All NWP students are enrolled in Technology through the duration of their three years at NWP. The main component of NWP’s Technology curriculum is be Innovation and Digital Citizenship. This idea has been adapted from the NYS Technology Standards. By the end of the students time here at NWP they will be able to create a website and apps from scratch. Lessons include a progression starting in 6th grade with learning how to use basic processing applications such as Microsoft Word, PPT and Excel. Once basic skills have taken place 7th grade students learn all the background skills needed to make a functioning app and apply it as a culminating project happening at the end of the year. 8th grade students then move on to learn all the background skills to make a functioning website including video and sound editing. They then apply it as a culminating project happening at the end of their time here at NWP.