Core Curriculum

We believe that Educational Equity ensures that all children--regardless of circumstances--are receiving high-quality, grade-level, and standards-aligned instruction with access to high-quality materials and resources.

-UnboundEd

At Harmony Ridge, we understand that the world is changing at an unprecedented speed.  As educators, we need to stay abreast of these changes and adapt our teaching to make sure that our students are ready for jobs that do not yet exist.  We believe in teaching students foundational skills: reading, writing, math, science... in the service of assisting them to tackle real world issues and changes.  Our goal is to make sure that our students are literate in all subjects so that they know fact from opinion and are able to use the best information to generate new ideas.  To do this, we follow the Colorado Academic Standards and use the following curricular resources:

Elementary P-5: 


Math Resource: Bridges

Bridges in Mathematics is a comprehensive PK–5 curriculum that equips teachers to fully implement the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics in a manner that is rigorous, coherent, engaging, and accessible to all learners.The curriculum focuses on developing students’ deep understandings of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and novel problems. Bridges blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration. It taps into the intelligence and strengths of all students by presenting material that is as linguistically, visually, and kinesthetically rich as it is mathematically powerful.

Literacy Resource:  Wonders

Wonders, a comprehensive PreK–6 literacy solution, is designed to meet the challenges of today’s classroom and reach all learners. A wealth of research-based print and digital resources provide unmatched support for building strong literacy foundations, accessing complex fiction and nonfiction texts, writing to sources, and building social emotional learning skills. Whether in the core classroom, an English language learner, or benefiting from intervention support, Wonders provides students equity of access to rich texts and rigorous instruction. 
Wonders is designed to foster a love of reading in all children. By providing a comprehensive set of connected resources for all learners in grades K–6, Wonders offers elementary school educators the ability to adapt instruction with confidence as students grow. Our focus on teaching the whole child—and every child—prepares students to be lifelong learners and critical thinkers.Combining the work of literacy experts with research on social emotional learning, Wonders helps you strengthen skills, bolster learning, and encourage independence, enhancing the important and inspiring work you do in your elementary school classroom, every day.

Science Resource: Project Lead the Way Launch

Through PLTW Launch, students become hands-on problem solvers and learn to collaborate with their fellow students.They begin each module with an engaging ebook story featuring the characters Mylo, Suzi, and Angelina, who introduce the challenge students will work together to solve. Then, in a series of activities that build upon each other, students are challenged to become confident in trying new things, to learn from mistakes, and to apply what they know to find solutions. 
PLTW Launch addresses Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core State Standards for Math and English Language Arts, and other national and state standards. To best fit the needs of your students and school, the program’s 10-hour modules are flexible and customizable: They can be implemented independently or in tandem with one another, at the grade level you want, at any time. 

Middle School 6-8:

Literacy Resource: American Reading Company

American Reading Company Core is a carefully structured project-based learning process ensures students are ready to meet the demands of college (or career) through extensive reading (both as a class and independently), multiple extended writing projects, and daily practice discussing both ideas and texts with peers. 

Math Resource: EnVision Math 2.0

EnVision Math 2.0 Common Core is a comprehensive mathematics curriculum for Grades 6–8. It builds on the proven effectiveness of the enVision series, supporting coherent, focused, and rigorous mathematics. EnVision Math 2.0 addresses the Common Core State Standards through problem solving, interactive experiences, and visual learning. Personalized math practice, built-in interventions, and customizable content deepen understanding and improve achievement.

Science Resource: PBIS (Problem Based Inquiry Research)

In project-based inquiry learning, students investigate scientific content and learn science practices in the context of attempting to address challenges in or answer questions about the world around them. Early activities introducing students to a challenge help them to generate issues that need to be investigated, making inquiry a student-driven endeavor. Students investigate as scientists would, through observations, designing and running experiments, designing, building, and running models, reading written material, and so on, as appropriate. Throughout each project, students might make use of technology and computer tools that support their efforts in observation, experimentation, modeling, analysis, and refl ection. Teachers support and guide the student inquiries by framing the guiding challenge or question, presenting crucial lessons, managing the sequencing of activities, and PBIS_LT_TPG_FM_2013.indd xiv 10/23/12 4:13:24 PM LIVING TOGETHER Acknowledgements xvxv eliciting and steering discussion and collaboration among the students. 

STEM Resource/Science and Technology Supplement: Project Lead the Way Gateway

Middle school is a time of exploration, a time when students are figuring out what they’re passionate about today and how that relates to who they’ll become tomorrow. During this transitional time, PLTW Gateway’s 10 units empower students to lead their own discovery. The hands-on program boosts classroom engagement and excitement, drives collaboration, and inspires “aha! moments” and deep comprehension. And as students engage in PLTW’s activities in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, they see a range of paths and possibilities they can look forward to in high school and beyond.