Intermediate Continuum Curriculum

The McClelland School promotes the highest standards of academic achievement while considering the needs and gifts of each child. We educate the whole child in a safe physical and social environment through a program that promotes intellectual and physical development and service to others in the context of real life experiences. McClelland strives to prepare each child to be an enthusiastic life-long learner, prepared to face life’s challenges and choices.

Language Arts
The Language Arts program explores many reading and writing components and activities.

· Critical thinking and problem solving – cause/effect, analysis, inferences, fact/opinion, predictions
· Story elements – characters, setting, plot
· Literary techniques-similes, metaphors, personification
· Main idea
· Vocabulary development through integrated units of study
· Research skills
· Reading for a purpose
· Grammar, usage, and mechanics- capitalization, commas, various end marks, agreement, tense, possession, parts of speech, number
· Writers’ workshop

Math
Students are exposed to a variety of concepts and applications. Students use a textbook, workbook, manipulatives, worksheets, traditional activities, and real context applications in order to develop their math reasoning skills, logic, and core knowledge.

· Number Sense and problem solving
· Measurement and reference frames
· Place value to millions
· Money
· Addition and subtraction
· Multiplication and division
· Data collection, analysis and probability
· Fractions and decimals
· Algebra – patterns and functions
· Geometry and spatial reasoning
· Terminolog

Themes of Study
Science and Social Studies are an essential part of the Intermediate curriculum. Each theme is actively explored through hands-on projects, books, videos, field trips, and guest speakers. Topics include owls, wolves, U.S. History (colonial period, Revolutionary War, Expansion West), Colorado and Pueblo, Native Americans, space exploration, scientific method and science fair, weather, geological time, water/environment, energy, nutrition, and systems of the body.

Enrichment Classes
Students regularly attend classes taught by specialists. Music, Art, Spanish, and Physical Education are an integral part of the McClelland experience.

Music
Singing songs and playing instruments, creating music; listening to and describing music, relating music to various historical and cultural traditions; participating in a holiday musical

Art
Introduction to elements, techniques, and processes of art, principles of design and sensory and expressive features of visual arts; relate the visual arts to various historical and cultural traditions

Spanish
Development and exposure to listening, speaking, and reading; exposure to another culture

PE
Learn and develop fundamental movement skills through developmentally appropriate activities; learn to appreciate the value of physical activity and its contribution to a healthy lifestyle.