English/Language ArtsThe core ELA curriculum for Cape Henlopen CAP students was created by the William & Mary Center for Gifted Education. It is rounded in the Integrated Curriculum Model (ICM), which is designed to respond to gifted learners' characteristics of precocity, intensity, and complexity through its three dimensions of advanced content, higher level processes and product development, and interdisciplinary concepts, issues, and themes. Over the course of the two-year program, students will complete the following three units.
Patterns of Change The concept of cyclic patterns of change was chosen as the unifying theme for this unit. Selected literary works deal with cycles in nature, knowledge, history, and human life. Students in grades 4–6 are introduced to some of the important approaches and ideas of literary criticism. Students are encouraged to use journals, literature webs, essays, and visual projects to organize and express their ideas about various literary selections. Works studied in the unit include My Daniel by Conrad, “The Helpful Badger” by Lawrence Yep, and poetry by Dickinson, Sandburg, Angelou, and Shakespeare. Literary Reflections Although all four language arts strands of literature, writing, language study, and oral communication are integrated into this unit for grades 4–5, the core involves students interacting with literature while enhancing reading comprehension and textual analysis skills. The literature selections, including The Secret Garden and world-class short stories by such authors as Tolstoy and Singer, serve as a basis for discussion. Mind Your Time In Mind Your Time, the reading selections and the activities were designed to intrigue and challenge students in grades 4-5 to think about time and its role in their lives. This unit is centered on the concept of time and will involve a wide variety of literature to provide context for discussions, writing, listening, vocabulary studies and research activities. |
MathematicsThe core math curriculum is Bridges in Mathematics, however, the curriculum will be presented in a compacted and accelerated pace. In addition, students will complete Concepts Quests to apply and deepen their understanding of essential unit concepts, and allow them to extend their thinking and support students in making important mathematical connections. Concept Quests offer students an opportunity to choose tasks to engage in and self-regulate their learning. Students choose the order in which they would like to explore Excursion and Adventure tasks, with the understanding that all Excursion tasks must be completed before exploring Adventure tasks. Students may also choose to put aside tasks, or let them "percolate", until they are more ready to engage with the content.
Social StudiesThis year CAP students will receive their Social Studies instruction in the CAP classroom. The curriculum will explore the areas of Civics, Economics, Geography, and History. Students will learn about social studies concepts through literature integration with the ELA curriculum and through project based learning opportunities.
By the end of the year, 4th grade students are expected to know the name and location of all 50 states. Fourth graders will also complete an extensive research project about the State of Delaware. By the end of the year, 5th grade students are expected to know all of the states and capitals. Fifth graders will also complete an extensive research project about one of the fifty states (excluding Delaware). Leader in MeLeader in Me provides CAP students with a model and process that addresses common challenges that are unique to students during these formative years. Students learn the 7 Habits of Happy Kids and use the core principles to develop leadership habits in school and at home.
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