Educational Programs and Curriculum

Anansi Charter School is dedicated to research based instruction that guides young children’s learning through concrete direct instruction, teacher modeling, guided student practice, and independent student application. The students are actively involved in the learning process and teachers are responsive to student needs. Each day a minimum of 120 minutes are devoted to reading language arts, and literacy and sixty minutes of math. The students participate in multi-age “committee” work in the afternoons. Committee work focuses on a wide range of topics allowing students to integrate facts into practical knowledge; it is an integration and exploration of Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, and the Arts. The Spanish program is activity based and integrated into the daily curriculum of each class. Technology and Media Instruction are integrated into all subject areas.

Curriculum:

Language Arts – Systematic and structured instruction of phonics, comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, speaking and listening skills.  This is a balanced literacy program that includes: instruction for reading acquisition, vocabulary development, comprehension, critical thinking skills, enjoyment of reading, writing mechanics, writing for a variety of purposes, speaking and listening skills.  First through fourth grade programs include spelling instruction. 

Mathematics – A research based, spiraling math curriculum (Everyday Mathematics) that is aligned with National and State math standards, this curriculum is supported with concrete to abstract instruction with the use of mainpualtives, games, and problem solving. 

Science – instructs through inquiry and scientific method, using hands-on experiments and demonstrations, which includes earth, life, and physical sciences.  The FOSS curriculum is used at all grade levels.

Social Studies – Anansi has developed curriculum integrating geography, economics, local and world cultures, arts, science, history, literature and music.  The curriculum includes, community and service based-learning, New Mexico Cultural studies, geography, and history, and integrated global studies. 

Spanish –  An enrichment language program, teaching vocabulary comprehension, and conversational Spanish, through an activity based approach using literature, storytelling, writing, games, art and music.

Arts – Children are encouraged to express themselves through music, movement, visual and performing arts.  Though specific skills and techniques are taught, the primary thrust of the Arts Program is to integrate the arts into the core curriculum areas.

Technology – Introduction of basic computer skills, use of the computer as a tool for information gathering and processing and tutorial instructional support and intervention.

Health and Physical Education – Holistic health curriculum inclusive of hygiene, anatomy and physiology, personal awareness, interpersonal communication skills, gross motor development and fundamental skills and knowledge of sports and games, developing an interest in life-long physical activity. These programs are supported by the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) program.