Rainbow Learning Curriculum & Outcomes

Curriculum maps and outcomes
academic rigor background

Curriculum Maps For Each Grade Level

Our curriculum meets a high level of excellence with regard to academics. Below are sample curriculum maps and topics. As a school, we are actively engaged in place-based learning and our curriculum is ever-evolving.

Kindergarten
Humanities/Social Studies

Our Place on the Earth

Personal geography

Maps & Globes

Journey Around the World
-The continents
-Customs & Traditions
-Myths & Folktales
-World figures

U.S. holidays

U.S. elections

Service Learning/ Community Service Project

Sciences

The 5 Senses

The 4 Elements

Introduction to Cycles of Life
-Seasonal cycle
-Butterfly life cycle
-Water cycle
-Plant/tree life cycle
-Introduction to classification of living things

Introduction to World Biomes & Animals

Conservation Practices

Citizen Science Project & the Scientific Method

 

First Grade
Humanities/Social Studies

Local & Regional History

Appalachian geography
-Customs & Traditions
-Folktales
-Immigrants & Settlers

African Cultures
-Cuisine
-Clothing
-Arts & Crafts
-Folklore
-Music & Language
-Spirituality & Traditions

Island Culture
-Emphasizing Gullah Geechee culture and African influences

Lives of Changemakers/People of Peace
-Emphasizing impact and personal connection

Service Learning/Community Service Project

Sciences

Local & Regional Ecology
– Trees
– Geology
– Animals
โ—‹ Classification
โ—‹ Life Cycles
โ—‹ Food Chain
โ—‹ Adaptations

African Biome Ecology

Ocean Ecology
-Water cycling from the mountains to sea
-Oceanic layers
-Aquatic animals
โ—‹ Fish
โ—‹ Amphibians
โ—‹ Mammals

Nutrition, Hygiene & the Human Body

Citizen Science Project & the Scientific Method

Second Grade
Humanities/Social Studies

Characteristics of Community
-Physical environment
-Social environment
-Community roles

Native American Culture
-Cuisine
-Clothing
-Arts & Crafts
-Myth & Folklore
-Music & Language
-Spirituality & Traditions
-Traditional Cherokee Culture

Mapping Skills
-Including continents and countries

Service Learning/ Community Service Project

Exploration of Fables and Fairy Talesย 

Sciences

Weather & Water
-Earth’s atmosphere & water cycle
-Measuring weather

Insects
-Characteristics & Classification
-Adaptations
-Life cycle

Animals in Winter
-Adaptations

Citizen Science Project & the Scientific Method

Third Grade
Humanities/Social Studies

Cradle of Civilization
-Geography
-Timeline
-Culture
-Science, technology and innovation
-Creation Myths & Folklore

United States Study
-Landforms
-Landmark
-U.S. Heroes

Mapping and Compass Skills
-Including 50 states

Service Learning/ Community Service Projectย 

Sciences

Solar System

The Human Body
-Nervous System
-Circulatory System
-Respiratory System

Environments/ Habitats
-Emphasizing bird habitats & reptiles habitats
-Explore evolution of dinosaurs, birds and reptiles

Simple Machines
-6 Simple Machines
-Inventions, Design & Engineering

Citizen Science Project & the Scientific Method

Fourth Grade
Humanities/Social Studies

Ancient Civilizations
-Egypt, Greece & Rome
-Archeology
-Geography
-Culture
-Myth & Folklore

Service Learning/ Community Service Projectย 

Sciences

Botany
-Plant Anatomy & Physiology
-Gardening & Nutrition

Geology
-Landforms
-Rock cycle
-Rock classification
-Fossils & paleontology

Energy & Electricity

Technology & Coding

Citizen Science Project & the Scientific Method

Fifth Grade
Humanities/Social Studies

American Colonization

Revolutionary War

Government & Civics
-Founding Documents
-Engaged Citizenship

Westward Expansion
-Including mapping & orienteering
Service Learning/ Community Service Project

Sciences

Ecosystems
-Interaction of Abiotic & Biotic Factors
-Energy Transfer

French Broad Watershed
-River health and erosion
-Water movement through the ecosystem

Microorganisms
-Fungus
-Composting Magnetism

Citizen Science Project & the Scientific Method

Sixth Grade
Humanities/Social Studies

ย World Indigenous Cultures
-Ancient India
-China
-Mesoamerica (Aztecs, Inca, Maya)
-Origin and foundation texts and beliefs of world religion
–Hinduism
–Christianity
–Buddhism
–Islam
–Judaism

Middle Ages
-Fall of Roman Empire
-Age of Discovery
-Renaissance

Lives of Changemakers/ Activists & People of Peace Social

Entrepreneurship Project

Service Learning/ Community Service Project

Sciences

Forces in Motion
-Newtonโ€™s 3 laws of motion
-Review of simple machines

Binomial classification of plants and animals

Citizen Science Project & Journey North Seasonal Sunlight

Study The Scientific Method & Engineering Design Process

7th/8th Grade
Humanities/Social Studies Year A

Renaissance

First Encounter/ Colonization

American Revolution

Civil War

Civil Rights & Social Revolution

Information Age/ Innovation Age

Current Events

Service Learning/ Community Service Projectย 

Sciences Year A

Watershed Ecology

Nature of Science (including science processes and stories of scientists and their work)

The Scientific Method
-Science Fair

Human Body

Astronomy Intensive

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Energies
-Energy transfer

Citizen Science Projectย 

Humanities/Social Studies B

Enlightenment

Americans who tell the Truth

Industrial Revolution

Geography/ Resource Distribution

World War I

Great Depression/ Harlem Renaissance

World War II/ World Colonization and Modern Empire Building

Cold War

Current Events

Sciences Year B

Innovation and the Design Thinking Process
-Design Fair

Chemistry
-Introduction to atoms, elements and the periodic table
-Chemical reactions
-Climate chemistry
โ—‹ Nature of carbon dioxide
โ—‹ Atmospheric chemistry
โ—‹ Carbon cycle
โ—‹ CO2 levels through time

Citizen Science Project

What is Life?
-Introduction to Biology
-Cell Structures and Functions

Rainbow Seven Domainsโ„ข Outcomes

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Physical Domain Outcomes

Students experience growth in the physical domain through movement, dance, P.E., sport and tactile activities, lessons and programming that emphasize theses various aspects of the Physical Domain.

Kinesthetic Awareness

  • Assesses and manages personal space, body language and surroundings.
  • Recognizes and respects the personal space of others.
  • Expresses learning through physical activity.

Fine Motor Skills

  • Demonstrates dexterity and eye-hand coordination by manipulating small objects.
  • Expresses handwriting in a clear fashion.

Gross Motor Skills

  • Demonstrates control of body through strength, endurance, speed, agility, balance and flexibility.

Health & Well-Being

  • Applies knowledge of:
    -Nutrition, fitness, hygiene and healthy habits,
    -Sex and drug education.
  • Engages challenge to foster growth.
  • Appreciates diverse body types in self and others.
Natural Domain Outcomes

Students develop an enduring relationship with nature through exposure to these various aspects of the Natural Domain.

Reverence for Nature

  • Exhibits a sense of wonder and awe for Nature.
  • Draws inspiration and passion from communion with the natural world.

Nature Engagement

  • Observes, inquires, and categorizes elements of nature and natural systems.
  • Connects to natural environment through play, exploration and expression.

Stewardship & Environmental Action

  • Exhibits ethical responsibility for the Earth by participating in personal, local, regional, and global efforts.
  • Demonstrates and applies an understanding of the interconnectedness of energy and matter.

Scientific Knowledge

  • Applies Scientific Methodologies to build an understanding of natural phenomena.
  • Demonstrates a basic conceptual literacy of Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science and the web of life.
Social Domain Outcomes

Students will have the competencies necessary to set and achieve personal and collective goals in these various aspects of the Social Domain.

Self-Esteem

  • Demonstrates intrapersonal awareness.
  • Recognizes personal significance and belonging.
  • Contributes to the community in ways that are meaningful to oneself.
  • Creates boundaries to maintain healthy relationships.
  • Explores challenge and uncertainty to encourage growth and confidence.

Communication

  • Communicates feelings and needs respectfully, resolves peer conflict using Compassionate Communication.
  • Interprets verbal and nonverbal cues.
  • Demonstrates appropriate body language.
  • Practices active listening.

Social Responsibility

  • Demonstrates literacy in civic knowledge, social justice, and cultural competence.
  • Engages in citizenship through ethical action, community service and service learning.
  • Makes decisions that reflect moral principles and values.
  • Considers the implications of choices on self, classroom, school and greater community.

Collaboration

  • Demonstrates interpersonal awareness.
  • Navigates the dynamics of a partnership or group by effectively applying cooperative skills.
  • Values the contributions of others, makes connections while honoring differences in perspective.

 

Emotional Domain Outcomes

Students will have the competencies necessary to set and achieve personal and collective goals in these various aspects of the Emotional Domain:

Empathy

  • Displays awareness and consideration of emotions.
  • Exhibits compassion and care for the world around them.
  • Practices forgiveness.

Healthy Expression

  • Channels emotions through a variety of mediums.
  • Uses various tools to communicate compassionately in order to process emotions and meet needs.

Self-Care & Resilience

  • Demonstrates the ability to remain centered amongst challenging circumstances.
  • Responds to challenges with perseverance and a growth mindset.
  • Manages emotions with discernment and self-acceptance.

Emotional Literacy

  • Demonstrates the ability to recognize and reflect on oneโ€™s feelings, thoughts and needs.
  • Develops a comprehensive emotional vocabulary.
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Creative Domain Outcomes

Students will have the competencies necessary to set and achieve personal and collective goals in these various aspects of the Creative Domain.

Imagination & Innovation

  • Inspired by the world around them.
  • Conceives ideas spontaneously and improvises.
  • Conceptualizes / visualizes thoughts and images.
  • Employs divergent thinking, innovative problem solving, risk taking and playful exploration.

Process

  • Employs patience and persistence.
  • Embraces challenge and values critique.
  • Refines practice through iteration.

Product & Execution

  • Understands and utilizes a variety of mediums to express oneself.
  • Demonstrates craftsmanship through skillful technique.
  • Upholds a quality standard for the final product and presents with confidence.

Art Appreciation

  • Demonstrates literacy in art history and cultural creative forms of expression.
  • Values aesthetics.
  • Reflects on and draws meaning from various forms of art, including one’s own.
  • Draws meaning from various cultural and individual forms of expression.
Mental Domain Outcomes

Students will have the competencies necessary to set and achieve personal and collective goals in these various aspects of the Mental Domain.

Inquiry

  • Embodies wonder and curiosity.
  • Utilizes meaningful reflection and questioning skills.
  • Explores concepts deeply.
  • Appropriately utilizes diverse media resources and technological tools.

Organization

  • Keeps personal and classroom materials neat.
  • Practices time management skills.
  • Utilizes effective note-taking techniques.
  • Sets meaningful, measurable goals.

Cognition

  • Extrapolates concepts.
  • Correlates and synthesizes ideas.
  • Analyzes and evaluates data.
  • Assigns meaning and cohesively expresses beliefs while supporting those concepts with verbal and/or written facts.
  • Recognizes patterns and solves puzzles.

Retention

  • Absorbs and accesses information.
  • Follows instructions.
  • Adheres to academic conventions.
Spiritual Domain Outcomes

Students experience growth in the spiritual domain through exposure to these aspects of the Spiritual Domain:

Mystery & Contemplation

  • Embraces the unknown as a source of inspiration and wonder.
  • Seeks meaning and purpose through deep reflection.
  • Appreciates the sacredness of all life.

Spiritual Virtues

  • Embodies qualities such as compassion, respect, faith, and reverence for self and others.

Celebration & Ceremony

  • Participates authentically.
  • Contributes actively.

World Traditions

  • Recognizes diverse approaches to religion and spirituality.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of and respect for various cultural myths and practices.
  • Identifies and utilizes archetypes to understand and inform the human experience.

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