Phoenix Program 4-6th Grades
Core Curriculum
THETA HUMANITIES (4-5TH GRADES)
Big Idea: Culture is an important part of the human experience, and cultures can transform or combine to produce hybridity and new cultures. Over the course of the year, we will engage in writing short and long-form pieces, focusing on aspects like plot progression, character development, and literary devices. Wewill look at the history of California from its first inhabitants to the present day. We will discuss the significant events and individuals that shaped California, its government, and its culture. Synthesizing this history with an understanding of mapping skills, we will gain a better understanding of the city of Los Angeles.
THETA STEM (4TH-5TH GRADES)
Big Idea: Patterns and trends shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Throughout the year, our class will explore the realms of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). We’ll embark on scientific inquiries, grapple with concepts, and explore how these pursuits intertwine and reveal patterns that have real-world applications. Interdisciplinary projects will highlight how STEM disciplines interconnect and foster teamwork, adaptability, and effective communication.
SIGMA HUMANITIES (5TH-6TH GRADES)
Big Idea: The big idea of the fall/winter semester is justice, examining past visions of justice and how it has evolved. The big idea of the spring semester is equality, shown by how divergent views of merit and equality played out in the leadership and social class structures of ancient China. These big ideas tie the past to the present and demonstrate how the same issues are relevant today.
Sigma Humanities combines humanistic disciplines including history, language arts, sociology, geography, and philosophy. This year’s curriculum focuses on ancient history, namely Mesopotamia, ancient Rome, ancient China and skips ahead past ancient history to loop in the Mongols. Language arts activities and curriculum are embedded within the social studies content, with a few non-themed writing assignments as well. Geography is not explicit instruction but is emphasized and supported through set aside times for geography study and practice.
SIGMA STEM (5TH-6TH GRADES)
Big Idea: Understanding the factors and interactions in systems helps us predict and communicate outcomes.
Throughout the course, students will uncover the power of numbers and graphs in data visualization, where they will learn to analyze and communicate information through charts, graphs, and infographics, unlocking the secrets hidden in data. They will journey into the world of coordinate planes, where math and science intersect, exploring how coordinates are used in mapping ecosystems, tracking celestial bodies, and plotting data points in experiments. Students will delve into the fascinating realm of probability, uncovering the likelihood of natural events from weather patterns to genetics, gaining insights into predicting outcomes and making informed decisions through hands-on experiments and mathematical simulations. In the ecology unit, students will dive into the intricacies of ecosystem dynamics, using numbers and data to understand the delicate balance of nature, from population dynamics to food webs, and revealing how mathematical models can predict ecological changes. Next, students will embark on a mathematical journey exploring various number systems and their applications in science, investigating number bases such as binary in computing and the Fibonacci
sequence in biology, fostering a deeper appreciation for the mathematical foundations of scientific concepts. In the final unit, a science fair, students will have the opportunity to apply their newfound knowledge and creativity to design and present scientific experiments of their choice, showcasing their ability to predict, communicate, and analyze outcomes.
PHOENIX ART
In this class, students can choose from 3 different long-term art projects to be completed before the end of the quarter. Students will gain hands-on experience for long-term planning. Students will learn how to complete an art project on time, how to use technology appropriately, how to be respectful to peers and the teacher, and how to maintain enough energy to clean the room for the next class.
PHOENIX FILM
In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to understand and analyze storytelling from diverse cultures is a vital skill. “Film Around the World” takes students on an immersive journey through liveaction, family-friendly short films from various countries, encouraging students to compare these narratives to an American perspective. This class aims to broaden students’ horizons, enhance their critical thinking, and empower them to emulate diverse filmmaking styles.
1. Cultural Awareness: Studying global storytelling alongside American narratives cultivates cultural empathy and a broader worldview.
2. Critical Film Analysis: Students will develop strong analytical skills by dissecting narrative structures, character development, and cultural influences in film.
3. Creative Filmmaking: Exposure to diverse filmmaking techniques will inspire students to experiment with different styles and incorporate them into their projects.
4. Media Literacy: Through film analysis, students will better understand how visuals and storytelling techniques impact viewers.
PHOENIX FITNESS
Phoenix Fitness covers an introduction to team games, outdoor activities, and dance movements as a conduit to the students creating and developing their own fun and healthy hobbies, healthy snacks, an ideas of what a “healthy lifestyle” can actually be. Every class is run off of the ideas of a meritocracy so each student can be assessed individually and fairly. However each student will be expected to uphold seven shared principles: integrity, courage, empathy, accountability, respect, honesty, and honor.
PHOENIX HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Human Growth and Healthy Living unit is a rotation in advisory. The topics discussed are: sex assigned at birth vs. gender; family units; puberty; hygiene; and internet safety. The lessons, discussions, and activities are age appropriate and the topics introduced what will be discussed in greater detail in Middle School.
PHOENIX MUSIC
The Phoenix Music special is designed as an instrument exploration and music technology experience. The class meets twice a week and each week a new instrument or technology is explored. Topics covered include: percussion/drum circle, rhythm sight reading, voice, piano, drum set, ukulele, Garage Band, Chrome Music Lab, film scoring, sound design, and more. Special guest performers, virtual field trips, and concert films are also incorporated into this fun Special. The goal is to give every student a positive musical experience.
ENRICHMENT CLUSTERS
Enrichment clusters are full-day classes scheduled every Friday (unless there is an Intersession project) in which students explore new or familiar areas of interest, passion or talent. Enrichment clusters may include Broadcast News, Horticulture, Iron Chef, Lego Builders, Newspaper, Short Film Festival, Tech Fest, Zines, just to name a few. Options change each semester based on student interests.
INTERSESSION
Intersession is a two week long, project-based learning experience designed around students’ interests and strengths. Students deeply explore topics while developing their skills in core academics like research, science, and writing as well as social emotional arenas like self awareness, social awareness, and conflict resolution.
Former Phoenix Intersession projects have challenged students to design a colony for a new planet, create and staff a restaurant that serves lunch to hungry parents, build a model home showcasing environmentally sustainable products and innovations, transform discarded materials into art and useful objects, interview people with different lived experiences and create a museum showcasing their perspectives, and find ways to support animals in need.
ADVISORY
Advisory is a daily Phoenix class in which students receive explicit social-emotional instruction to help them develop self-awareness and self-advocacy, practice social interactions and perspective taking, learn emotional regulation strategies, and reflect on their school experience. Advisors guide students through a series of Starting with Strengths activities to begin the school year and introduce concepts such as identity, community, and neurodiversity. With support from the counseling team, advisors also teach life skills. Topics include physical boundaries and personal space, eye contact and tone of voice, human growth and development, and organization and time management. Each advisory curriculum is unique and based on the needs of its members. Additional possible advisory topics include civic participation, personalfinance, nutrition, etiquette, teamwork, public speaking and technology use.