Curriculum/Academics

Namaste Charter School’s fundamental belief is that all children possess the attributes necessary to become healthy, literate and life-long lovers of learning. Children's learning is facilitated through investigations, interactions, and instruction that are intellectually challenging and developmentally appropriate. We provide support and opportunities for children to acquire the skills, knowledge, and understanding to thrive academically and socially, find personal health and fulfillment, and take responsibility as productive members of their community. Our curriculum is aligned to the Illinois State Learning Standards that goes beyond the standards through the development of a comprehensive framework which ensures that children make connections in their learning, develop the confidence necessary to think critically and independently, gain an interest in seeking solutions to their own problems, and realize a love of learning. All of this is encompassed by a daily focus on health, nutrition and physical fitness.

English/Language Arts
We will be using a balanced reading and language arts curriculum based primarily on the Ohio State Early Literacy Collaborative. The framework emphasizes extensive integration of reading and writing. Children will be engaged in listening to read alouds as well as making connections to literature through shared, guided, and independent reading, oral language development, and explicit teaching of word study, conventions of print and vocabulary.

Writing will be supported through the use of shared and interactive writing (a focal point of the primary grades), writing workshop and journal writing. Children will have experience both with engaging in the act of writing and understanding the writing process. Through the workshop approach to reading and writing instruction, children's individual needs will be met through small group and one-on-one conferences. Students will practice reading, share their work with the class and learn how to accept constructive criticism effectively in front of an audience.

Mathematics:
We will be using the Math Trailblazer series, created by the University of Illinois at Chicago TIMS Project, which combines an inquiry-based approach with the teaching of problem-solving strategies to help children see the applications of their mathematical understandings in the world around them. The problem solving focus of Math Trailblazers provides a natural interdisciplinary connection, especially with the disciplines of language arts and science.

Science:
Our science program will consist of integrated, engaged learning units of study. Using the FOSS curriculum as a guide and resource, we will create units of study for each grade level which will consist of a key question and/or problem to solve, read aloud texts, vocabulary study, use of the scientific method and research and problem solving in order to help students question and make sense of the world around them. The core teaching method for science will be hands-on experiences and inquiry.

Social Science
The foundation of Namaste’s social studies curriculum in the early years will be based on topics which will help us expand students' understanding of their continually widening circles of interaction - from themselves, to their families, communities, and the world. Topics will be rich enough to sustain a wide range of worthwhile questions and experiences and will incorporate the use of literature, math, art, writing, and scientific inquiry as tools for children to express what they have found out and learned. As it is not enough to simply memorize facts, we will employ the use of trade books and invite community members with various jobs into the classroom to help us discover our surroundings and apply our learning to real life situations. We will help children formulate questions, pursue interests and compile, analyze and present data. It is also not enough for children to gain skills and understanding as individuals. Children need to acquire the perspective and skills that will enable then to live and work effectively with other people. Technology will be integrated into the social studies curriculum especially in creating maps, graphs, tables, charts and timelines which will allow children to share their learning with others in a powerful and meaningful form.

Health & Nutrition
As a vital part of our mission, health and nutrition will have its own curriculum, goals and benchmarks. The aim of our health curriculum is to promote the understanding and application of the principles of good health and a healthy lifestyle in all aspects of the students learning. We will cover topics ranging from community to personal health. We will raise the consciousness of our students and the local community by involving families and outside speakers in the discussion of health and nutrition.

Physical Education
The physical education program at Namaste is quite unique. A primary goal of the PE program is to provide students with the opportunity to participate in sustained physical activity everyday in order to develop and maintain a healthy body. However, our goals do not end there. In keeping with the holistic philosophy of education embodied at Namaste, the PE program seeks to develop cognitive, physical, and social/emotional growth in our students through the study of movement.

In the primary grades (K-2), students learn to understand movement concepts and develop a full repertoire of movement that will serve as a foundation for more developmentally advanced movement disciplines such as sports and dance training as they grow up. Our developmental movement concepts are based on the work of Rudolf Laban, an influential thinker in the fields of movement analysis and dance therapy. Laban broke movement down into four basic categories: space, body, effort and relationship. The PE program is divided into units based on these categories of movement.

In addition, one day a week is specifically dedicated to understanding fitness concepts. Students learn to distinguish cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and flexibility and participate in a balanced fitness program. As they progress, students take on more responsibility for individualized fitness goals. Students learn the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle which includes at least an hour of physical activity a day.

Another component of the PE program is skill development. One day a week is dedicated to teaching students specific skills. For example students develop hand-eye coordination through practicing throwing, catching, kicking, and striking. Students develop gymnastic skills through balancing and tumbling. Also, students develop yoga skills such as balance, strength, flexibility, concentration, and mindfulness.

Peaceful People Curriculum
The administration, staff, and teachers are committed to cultivating a climate of peace at Namaste in order to facilitate a safe, comfortable, and supportive learning community. A very important policy for cultivating a peaceful school environment is the universal instruction of positive social skills. The Peaceful People Curriculum is based on Disarming the Playground: Violence prevention through movement by Rena Kornblum. There are four main units:
Spatial Awareness: Children learn to protect their own space and respect other people’s spatial needs.
Self-Control and Stress Management: Children learn to recognize their excitement or agitation level. They learn strategies for calming themselves down and controlling their impulses.
Managing Anger and Building Empathy: Children learn physical cues for recognizing feelings in others, how to express support for others (showing empathy), positive problem solving to get their needs met, and strategies for managing anger.
Pro-Active Interventions and Conflict Resolution: Children learn strategies for dealing with conflict and aggression.

Dual-Language Program
Namaste Charter School offers a dual language program option for all students upon entering the school. The dual Language program is an enriched form of education which allows the children to obtain educational, cognitive, socio-cultural and economic benefits resulting from intense study of two languages. Classes are taught mostly in Spanish for the first 3 years, and students of native Spanish and native English households are taught together to read, write and speak in two languages. For more information on the dual language program at Namaste Charter School, please contact the school.