​MATH

The mathematics curriculum at Hope Community Charter School has two focuses; mathematical practices which can be described as habits of mind or the development of mathematical thinkers and mathematical content which is mathematical skills and understandings.  The curriculum focuses on key concepts for each grade level and requires conceptual understanding and procedural fluency as well as fosters reasoning and sense-making skills.

 

Hope Community Charter School’s program is aligned with New Jersey State Learning Standards, follows the Understanding by Design model, and offers a daily problem-based interactive math program followed by visual learning strategies which will deepen conceptual understanding, helping students create meaningful connections for themselves.

 

 

SCIENCE

Hope Community Charter School’s science program makes learning personal, relevant and engaging while interweaving literacy skills. Teachers use four levels of inquiry (Activity-Before Content, Directed, Guided, and Open Ended) allowing for scaffolding and building critical thinking skills. Reading within the content area is supported and requires students to stop and think about what they read. This processing time is so critical for students to make meaning. Students interact with visuals such as diagrams and not just text. They learn how to read and interpret all visual information and explain its connection to text. Students create visual cues, charts, and concept maps for the classroom so there is a constant review and reminder before their eyes of science concepts and the language they need to think, speak, and write like a scientist. Teachers enhance the program by using digital and online virtual labs, simulations and animations. Technology is used to open up students’ inquiring minds and stimulate their inherent curiosity and questioning.

No matter the source of information (internet or text), the emphasis is always on helping students make meaning of the language of science.