Special Curriculum
The philosophy of the Special Curriculum Department is to develop high level cognitive skills, independent learning, creative thinking and affective awareness by offering:
- content beyond the prescribed curriculum
- experiences in creative thinking and problem solving of real problems
- development of self-motivation, risk-taking, curiosity, imagination and elaboration
- Elementary School
- Middle School
- High School
Elementary School Programs
Enrichment Math - Grades 1 to 5
Enrichment Math provides general math enrichment for all students in all elementary classrooms. For grades 1-3, Special Curriculum teachers work with each classroom once a week for approximately 50 minutes. In Grades 4 - 5, teachers work with students about every two to three weeks.
The goal of Enrichment Math is to make the subject fun, interesting, and challenging for each student, and to provide extension activities of lessons in the regular classroom. Math topics are covered over the course of a few to several weeks.
School-Wide Enrichment - Grades 1 to 5
District-wide enrichment opportunities are offered to all students in a variety of interests and subject areas. Student's work is highlighted and demonstrated at "Invention Celebration", "Discovery Night", "New England Math League" (grades 4-5), "GeoBattle" and other events.
DesiNation Imagination® - Grades 1 to 5
DestiNation Imagination® provides all students opportunities to explore and discover unlimited creative potential trough teamwork, cooperation, and mutual respect. The key to the DestiNation Imagination® program is discovering the process of creative problem solving. Throughout the year, students work as a team to solve a central Team Challenge as well as learn the techniques of brainstorming and instant problem solving through Instant Challenges and the use of improv items. What they learn during this process are the tangible rewards of the program. The culmination of their work is showcased at the regional DestiNation Imagination® tournament. Teams use art, technology, performance, and real world relevance as they take one of the five Team Challenges.
KEY Program - Grades 4 to 5 (identified students)
The KEY program is an enrichment program for 4th and 5th grade students who demonstrate high levels of creativity, task commitment, and academic ability. KEY's focus is on the development of critical and creative thinking skills, creative problem solving abilities, and research skills. Screening for prospective students takes place winter/early spring for students who will be participating the following year.
Students are pulled from regular language arts classes to attend KEY class for approximately one hour a week. A screening process helps determine which children are ready for the challenges the KEY program offers. Students are selected based on the classroom teacher's evaluation of a child's work habits and personal traits, and the score of the Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT). The third component is a child-generated project evaluated by two trained evaluators.
Pull-Out Mathematics - Grades 4 to 5 (identified students)
Pull-Out Mathematics is a faster paced program for 4th and 5th grade students who demonstrate high levels of mathematical reasoning, problem solving, and computation skills. Screening for prospective students who will be participating the following year, takes place in spring and early fall.
Students are pulled from regular mathematics instruction daily for one hour. Pacing of subjects and benchmarks is accelerated. Students identified for the program are selected based on the classroom teacher's evaluation of a child's work habits and personal traits and the results of TOMAGS, Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), and Math Facts Test.
Middle School Programs
- School-Wide Exploratory Activities
- 6th Grade Academies
- DesiNation Imagination®
- Work with Students & Teachers
- Differentiation
School-Wide Exploratory Activities
Activities offered by the Special Curriculum Department can be interdisciplinary or single subject, and result in projects or portfolios. Planning includes higher level instructional and product differentiation with individual classroom teachers and whole teams. Activities are offered for all students at times throughout the school year. Enrichment opportunities include: integrated subject enrichment for Sargent Center, River Unit and Washington D.C. field trips, mini-courses, guest speakers, assemblies, fairs, and performances. We coordinate school-wide contests, quiz bowls, bees, Olympiads, invention conventions, national competitions, etc.
6th Grade Academies
An academy provides a learning experience that integrates different subject areas; it is theme-based and project-oriented. These are graded classes that utilize performance assessment, and involve differentiated instruction accelerating benchmarks, as determined by the subject area. Students with an average grade of A in reading and parental permission can apply for an academy. Students who attend an academy do so in lieu of their reading class
DesiNation Imagination®
DestiNation Imagination® provides all students opportunities to explore and discover unlimited creative potential trough teamwork, cooperation, and mutual respect. The key to the DestiNation Imagination® program is discovering the process of creative problem solving. Throughout the year, students work as a team to solve a central Team Challenge as well as learn the techniques of brainstorming and instant problem solving through Instant Challenges and the use of improv items. What they learn during this process are the tangible rewards of the program. The culmination of their work is showcased at the regional DestiNation Imagination® tournament. Teams use art, technology, performance, and real world relevance as they take one of the five Team Challenges.
Work with Students & Teachers
Special Curriculum offers a challenging curriculum of high-level content and rigorous pace combined with higher-level thinking skills, problem solving, inquiry, creative productivity along with the development of self-direction, risk taking, curiosity, imagination, and inter/intra-personal relationships. We utilize flexible grouping including individual tutorials, small group, large group, and whole class instruction, with focus on acquisition of skills related to identified strengths.
Differentiation
Differentiation is the recognition of and commitment to a plan for student differences. A differentiated classroom provides different avenues to acquire content, to process or make sense of information and ideas, and to develop products. The goals of a differentiated classroom are to maximize student growth and to promote individual student success.
High School Programs
Honors Courses
Courses that are labeled honors are designed to offer scholastic challenges to students whose academic records and personal motivation indicate a preparedness to take on the most rigorous course work. They require students to be independent and self-directed learners. Students who choose these courses need to have prior teacher approval. This process is subject to Curriculum Coordinator review as well.
LHS Honors Courses reflect the following attributes:
- Emphasis is placed on curriculum depth.
- The curriculum id fast-paced and rigorous.
- Independent research or independent project work is required.
- Course emphasis is on synthesis and working with abstract ideas.
Students in honors courses are expected to meet the following:
- When moving from a college level course to an honors level course, a minimum grade of B+ is expected in the previously completed course.
- Students who commit to honors level courses should realize their commitment is for a full semester in the honors course.
Project Running Start
The New Hampshire Project Running Start is an educational initiative for high school students in collaboration with New Hampshire Community Technical College (NHCTC). This program gives students the opportunity to enroll in specific college courses offered at their high school during the regular school day. Students who choose to enroll in Project Running Start receive high school credit as well as college credit for the course. College credits can be used to continue at NHCTC or may be transferred to other colleges. Students pay a $100.00 fee to NHCTC per course to enroll in the program. Project Running Start courses include science, computers, education, and business.
DestiNation Imagination®
DestiNation Imagination® provides all students opportunities to explore and discover unlimited creative potential trough teamwork, cooperation, and mutual respect. The key to the DestiNation Imagination® program is discovering the process of creative problem solving. Throughout the year, students work as a team to solve a central Team Challenge as well as learn the techniques of brainstorming and instant problem solving through Instant Challenges and the use of improv items. What they learn during this process are the tangible rewards of the program. The culmination of their work is showcased at the regional DestiNation Imagination® tournament. Teams use art, technology, performance, and real world relevance as they take one of the five Team Challenges.