Curriculum
Baker Curriculum Guide
Welcome to the Baker Demonstration School Curriculum Guide. Based on numerous research-based educational approaches as well as Illinois and national learning standards, this curriculum guide provides Baker faculty with a framework to plan and implement purposeful learning experiences that will engage and challenge students. The Curriculum Guide is published on the website to provide all members of the Baker Community with a comprehensive picture of the learning standards for each grade level and each subject area.
The documents (in separate, downloadable .pdf files) list learning goals and outcomes for each level from Early Childhood through Team in the Middle to Middle School. The guide is organized both by level or team and by subject areas (math, science, language arts, etc.).
Every year, a section of the guide undergoes a comprehensive review that involves research into best practices in progressive education, the development of teaching approaches and methods, and standards in professional development in order to help teachers and students best reach their potential. This coming year, Social Studies and Foreign Languages (Latin and Spanish) are in the process of review. That process is already underway.
The calendar for the comprehensive review has been approved by faculty and the curriculum committee and is as follows:
- Social Studies and Foreign Languages (Spanish and Latin) (1 year review) - 2007-8.
- Language Arts (2 year review, includes reading, writing and speaking) - 2008-2010
- Science (1 year review) - 2010-2011
- Arts (Music, Drama, Visual Arts) (1 year review) - 2011-2012
- Library & Technology and Physical Education (1 year review) - 2012-2013
- Mathematics (1 year review) - 2013-2014
- The Mathematics Curriculum section underwent extensive review and revision in 2006 and represents the model for subsequent curricular reviews.
Baker's Mission Statement and Statement on Core Beliefs and Values shape how the curriculum is enacted. One of the underlying principles is the understanding that children develop in different ways and at different rates. Baker's commitment to differentiated and integrated instruction ensures that your child receives a child-centered yet rigorous education. To best understand how the curriculum guide is enacted for your child for a particular subject and grade, please attend Baker Open Houses, Step-Up Nights, or Curriculum Nights and, most importantly, speak with your child's teacher.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON READING THIS CURRICULUM GUIDE: The primary audience for this Guide is new and existing faculty and administration of Baker Demonstration School. As such, the document is terse and technical, while at the same time comprehensive. The Baker Curriculum Committee is working this year on creating a parallel document intended for the entire community and external audiences. We intend that the planned document will speak to an informed general audience. Anyone with suggestions about the format or content of this new document is encouraged to contact Darsie Bowden or Alexandra Vastardis.