About Emerson Alcott Academy

Curricular Emphasis

Our mission at Emerson Alcott Academy is to help each child reach his/her own individual potential.  To help us accomplish this goal we plan to integrate literature, fine arts, creativity and/or hands-on curriculum, wherever necessary and as needed, to enhance the core requirements, and to help make learning an enjoyable experience.  We have carefully chosen the following curriculum to help us reach the core requirements.

Overall:

Developing a strong foundation for learning will be accomplished with Core Knowledge Scope and Sequence developed by E.D. Hirsch Jr., which layers knowledge starting with basics. Upon this basic knowledge, sequential building blocks are laid from year to year in each subject developing into a structurally strong education.  In the process each child will experience success and pride in their expanding knowledge, leading each child to embrace learning as an integral life-long skill.

Language Arts:

Emerson Alcott believes that basic skills in reading, writing, and math need to be thoroughly engrained in children while they are young to further their intellectual development.   Emerson Alcott plans to use Spalding’s language arts curriculum. Spalding’s unique method for teaching language arts is research based, leading to successful student mastery.  Emphasis on text comprehension, phonemic awareness, feature recognition, letter recognition, decoding, spatial placement, vocabulary and sentences structure are incorporated into the Spalding teaching regimen.

The integration of classic literature at age appropriate grade levels will aid in the introduction of new ways of thinking and the development for love of reading and of literature.  We plan to use our library for multiple avenues of learning, including book presentations to the students as a class.

Mathematics:

Math reasoning and thinking skills will be developed through the Saxon Math program.  The Saxon Math program provides sequential learning in math while offering plenty of review.  This review is wide base in previously taught math concepts, strengthening overall math knowledge and word problem reasoning and fluidity.   Saxon Math has many manipulatives available for hands-on learning concepts, which aligns with our philosophy.   Emerson Alcott Academy feels Saxon Math has a proven success record and will lead to success in our math program.

Social Studies/Science:

Emerson Alcott Academy will use Core Knowledge Scope and Sequence for History and Science instruction.   History lessons will include mock government councils to help children learn about government procedures.  We hope to reenact historical events wherever feasible to help them retain the information longer, as well as gain an appreciation for our founding fathers.  This will be done through class skits and/or school plays, as well as History Fairs, etc.  We will also do hands-on science projects, such as planting seeds and recording growth, or weather evaluations tracked over time, etc.

Specials:

At Emerson Alcott we plan to provide a wide range of special classes which would include, but not be limited to, Art, Music, PE, Computers, Foreign Language, and Dance. 

Emphasis on the Arts will be used to reinforce, as well as teach, the core curriculum.  Teaching this way creates multiple reference points for the children to learn and gain a deeper understanding of the concepts being taught.  Teaching through the Arts also reaches a wider range of learners (i.e. visual, audible, kinesthetic, etc.). 

To achieve this type of learning and teaching, art mentors may be used to model as well as help develop Art integrated lesson plans.  The teachers could also become “art endorsed” in various art mediums, from the endorsement program that has already been established by the state.

OTHER

We recognize that self-motivated, well-trained teachers who provide nurturing classroom environments are an integral part to meeting our mission goals and philosophy.  We plan to select only highly qualified teachers who desire to support the goals and philosophy of Emerson Alcott Academy.  Teachers should demonstrate a willingness to commit to the new paradigm of instruction at Emerson Alcott Academy by embracing its unique curriculum.  Twenty-four students with one teacher and a teacher’s aid in the classrooms will allow for greater tailoring to each child’s needs.

Our teachers will be required to attend two to four weeks of training on related curriculums and school procedures, before the school year begins. This training will include attending professional training conferences and our own school procedures training with our Principal.  It will also include a review of State CORE standards for all teachers. 

Our school will evaluate teachers on a regular basis.  Evaluations will be done by the Principal and/or a Director of Curriculum to ensure accuracy of curriculum use, and to make sure that a positive learning environment is being met.   Evaluations will also be done to ensure that all curriculum is aligned correctly with Utah CORE standard requirements.

Emerson Alcott believes that grateful people are respectful,

courageous, cheerful, and happy people.  We plan to have an

attitude of gratitude environment throughout our school. 

Emerson Alcott Academy will provide positive learning experiences for all children.  Children who struggle academically will be provided individualized opportunities for academic growth and success through special education. 

Emerson Alcott believes that each child can experience success and reach their greatest individual potential.  We understand that a positive scholastic experience in early childhood is of utmost importance in developing a life-long love of learning, and we seek to provide such an environment.  This environment will help our students learn to enjoy the journey and steer them on a course to success throughout their lives.