Parent & Student Handbook - Independence Charter School
Parent & Student Handbook - Independence Charter School
Parent & Student Handbook - Independence Charter School
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Learning Journey<br />
<strong>Student</strong>s discuss the various aspects of this definition throughout the year, providing examples of what<br />
each component looks like in daily life and using it as the groundwork for various discussions and<br />
activities. It is our ultimate goal for all ICS community members to fully understand and define global<br />
citizenship as the above. While each day students and staff strive to embody the definition of a global<br />
citizen in all that they do, students and teachers work to focus their learning around yearlong essential<br />
questions as well. The following table outline the questions for each grade.<br />
Global Citizenship Overarching Essention Questions<br />
K How are you connected to other people in the world?<br />
What makes individuals unique?<br />
1 st What makes a community?<br />
What can you do in your community to make a difference?<br />
2 nd How can our choices change the environment?<br />
How can we change things that we think are unfair?<br />
3 rd How can we make a positive difference for ourselves and others?<br />
How do resources and culture shape communities?<br />
4 th What makes people powerful?<br />
What makes land valuable to people?<br />
5 th What are civil rights and how does who is in power affect those rights?<br />
6 th How do peace and conflict lead to change?<br />
7 th What role does diversity play in the story of our world?<br />
8 th How do different understandings of justice affect the story of our world?<br />
Fine Arts<br />
ICS students emerge as sophisticated, critical consumers and producers of the arts. Grades K-5 students<br />
attend weekly art classes where they begin to understand art through the artist and his or her work.<br />
<strong>Student</strong>s learn the language of art and the techniques for producing various styles of art. <strong>Student</strong>s also<br />
discuss the influence of culture and historical events on the artist. Where possible, the fine arts program<br />
integrates aspects of ongoing global studies, thereby reinforcing the study of global diversity. In the past,<br />
students have studied artists and movements from many global areas including the Impressionists, Frida<br />
Kahlo, Peter Sibanda, and many others. <strong>Student</strong>s spend an average of six weeks studying one artist.<br />
<strong>Student</strong>s in Grade 7, who plan to apply to high schools which require art portfolios, meet with the art<br />
teacher to prepare such portfolios.<br />
Music<br />
At ICS, music in grades K-5 has two components:<br />
1) General music knowledge and Spanish vocabulary: <strong>Student</strong>s in grades K-5 learn about concepts like<br />
sound, rhythm, melody, musical dynamics, tempo, form, musical instruments, texture and musical<br />
mood. By listening, singing, expressing themselves, improvising, exploring, creating, categorizing,<br />
criticizing, playing different instruments and dancing, the students internalize those musical concepts<br />
and are able to make appropriate musical choices. The music curriculum is taught in both English and<br />
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