BRIDGES ACADEMY
CORE CURRICULUM
THETA HUMANITIES (4-5TH GRADES)
Big Idea
By studying the American Revolution, we can observe how individuals can challenge authority and influence people to create positive societal change, this empowering spirit lives on today as anyone has the potential for revolutionary impact.
By diving into US history, students will be able to see how their country came to be. From humble beginnings and interactions with indigenous populations to revolution and the formation of a government by the people, while considering the rapid social, political, and technological growth that took place on the North American continent. In Language Arts, students will study practical skills, like letter writing, and analyze prolific poets, authors, and revolutionary genres. Students can explore the world around them and relay their thoughts, ideas, perspectives, and feelings through discussion and the written word.
THETA STEM (4TH-5TH
GRADES)
Big Idea
Science is a means by which we can understand and give meaning to life, but also improve it.
Math is not just for people who are gifted in that area - we can all develop an aptitude for its components and applications.
SCIENCE
Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions: This unit will focus on types of interactions - i.e., density and buoyancy.
Matter and Its Interactions: This unit will focus on structure and properties of matter & chemical reactions - i.e., acids and bases.
Waves and their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer: This unit will focus on wave properties, electromagnetic radiation & information technologies and instrumentation - i.e., sounds waves versus light waves.
Earth’s Place in the Universe: This unit will focus on the history of Planet Earth, the Universe and its stars & Earth and the solar system - i.e., reasons for life on this planet versus prohibitive factors on other planets.
Earth and Human Activity: This unit will focus on natural resources, natural hazards, designing solutions to engineering problems & human impacts on Earth systemsi.e., how might we transfer knowledge about our own planet to initiate and sustain life on another planet?
From Molecules to Organisms:
Structures and Processes: This unit will focus on structure and function, information processing, and organization for matter and energy flow in organisms - i.e., what similarities and differences are seen in plant and animal compositions at the molecular level and how does that dictate their survival?
MATH
Operations and Algebraic Thinking: This unit will focus on multiplying or dividing to solve word problems involving multiplicative comparison; solving multi step word problems; finding factor pairs and products of prime numbers; generating a number or shape pattern that follows a given rule; and writing simple expressions that record calculations with numbers.
Number and Operations in Base Ten: This unit will focus on recognizing that in a multi-digit whole number, a digit in one place represents ten times what it represents in the place to its right; reading and writing multi-digit whole numbers using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form; using place value understanding to round multi-digit whole numbers to any place; fluently adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm; recognizing that in a multi-digit number, a digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left; and reading, writing, and comparing decimals to thousandths.
Number and Operations—Fractions: This unit will focus on comparing two fractions with different numerators and different denominators and extending previous understandings of multiplication to multiply a fraction by a whole number; using decimal notation for fractions with denominators 10 or 100; adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions with unlike denominators (including mixed
numbers) by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions in such a way as to produce an equivalent sum or difference of fractions with like denominators; and solving real-world word problems involving addition and subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions referring to the same whole.
Measurement and Data: This unit will focus on knowing relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units; using the four operations to solve word problems involving distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of objects, and money; applying the area and perimeter formulas for rectangles in real-world and mathematical problems; recognizing angles as geometric shapes that are formed wherever two rays share a common endpoint, and understanding concepts of angle measurement; converting among different-sized standard measurement units within a given measurement system; and recognizing and measuring volume as an attribute of solid figures and understanding concepts of volume measurement.
Geometry: This unit will focus on drawing points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines; classifying two-dimensional figures based on the presence or absence of parallel or perpendicular lines; using a pair of perpendicular number lines, called axes, to define a coordinate system; representing real-world and mathematical problems by graphing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane; and classifying twodimensional figures in a hierarchy based on properties.
SIGMA HUMANITIES
(5TH-6TH GRADES)
Big Idea
“Truth” is the unifying idea of the fall semester, using philosophy and logic to examine the relationship between perceptions of truth and methods of persuasion.
For the spring semester, “belief” is the big idea, specifically how societies are constructed to protect central beliefs.
In Sigma Humanities, students explore the concepts of "truth" and “belief” through the study of two ancient civilizations: Greece and Egypt. Mythology will be examined as the way that early societies attempted to explain creation, convey morals, and discern the truth of human behavior with a lack of scientific knowledge. As the forerunner of all disciplines, philosophy is highly applicable, especially Aristotle’s three pillars of persuasion and logic fallacies, in understanding tools used to motivate, mislead, or inform through speech and writing. Continued practice in distinguishing between sound reasoning and flawed arguments will occur later in the year when students write persuasive essays.
Language arts, grammar, and geography are embedded within historical study. By weaving together history, literature, logic, and language, we reinforce skills in ways that feel authentic to students as well as encourage them to think critically about past and present parallels and to make interdisciplinary connections while learning to express their understanding clearly and persuasively.
During the second semester, we use ancient Egyptian culture and afterlife as a lens through which students examine how central beliefs impact every facet of human life—religion, politics, culture, and science, and manifest in material culture.
SIGMA
STEM
(5TH-6TH GRADES)
Big Idea
Applying scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical principles to the natural world helps us solve problems, make informed decisions, and understand the underlying patterns and structures of our environment.
This course is designed to empower students with a comprehensive understanding of key STEM concepts, ranging from ratios and proportional relationships to the number system, algebraic expressions, geometry, statistics, and the scientific method. By exploring these areas, students will uncover the underlying patterns and structures in our environment.
Through a variety of hands-on activities, real-world applications, and collaborative projects, students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The course integrates technology and interactive tools to enhance learning and facilitate data analysis, ensuring students are equipped to tackle modern STEM challenges. These experiences will allow students to demonstrate their ability to analyze data, make predictions, and communicate their findings effectively, showcasing their proficiency in both mathematics and scientific inquiry.
PHOENIX ART + MUSIC
Welcome to A&M, a dynamic class where the worlds of art and music come together! In this exciting course, students will explore their creativity through hands-on projects that combine visual arts and musical expression. They’ll learn about different art and music techniques, experiment with various materials, instruments, and discover how music and art can inspire each other. This class encourages students to think outside the box, develop their artistic and musical skills, and express themselves in new and imaginative ways. Get ready to paint, draw, sculpt, and create music in a fun and supportive environment!
PHOENIX FILM
This Film Special introduces students to the essential parts of filmmaking, using The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse as a key example, along with clips from other wellknown films. The course teaches students how various film components, such as sound design, Foley, camera shots, storyboarding, and scriptwriting, combine to create a cohesive story. Through interactive lessons and hands-on activities, students will explore how films are organized and produced, learning to recognize and appreciate the different roles involved in filmmaking. The Film Special will provide a foundational understanding of how films are crafted, helping them develop skills in storytelling, creative thinking, and collaboration.
PHOENIX FITNESS
This fitness class is designed to be fun with dynamic activities that promote physical health and teamwork. Students will
participate in a variety of exercises, including games, sports and strength-building activities. The course aims to enhance their coordination, endurance, and overall fitness while encouraging a positive attitude toward exercise. By the end of the class, students will have a solid foundation in basic fitness and certain sports principles and enjoy a lifelong appreciation for physical activity.
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 ROBOTICS
Students will explore introductory design and engineering concepts that involve mechanical understandings, which will prepare them for more advanced aspects of engineering in the upper years.
ENRICHMENT CLUSTER OPTIONS*
ARTIST’S STUDIO
CARD + BOARD GAME CREATION
FRENCH LANGUAGE + CULTURE
JAMMING, SONGWRITING, + MUSIC TECH
SPORTS
*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 selfawareness 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, personal finance, nutrition, etiquette, teamwork, public speaking, and technology use.