Curriculum at Amicitia

Amicitia follows the United States standards for the state of Texas. Classic American literature is used extensively as well as textbooks from the following publishers: Glencoe, Saxon Math, Houghton-Mifflin, and Prentice-Hall.

High School Curriculum

Our High School curriculum follows the credit system and each semester course counts as 0.5 credits. Amicitia requires a maximum of 24 credits to graduate. For more: Download the High School Curriculum

Distinctives of an Elementary Education at Amicitia

Fine Arts

Music- Students will develop analytical listening skills, and an informed appreciation for the Western Art Music repertoire through the works of selected composers. Using appropriate terminology and analytical frameworks, students will learn to verbalize their critical responses to music. Students will also be exposed to a variety of global musical practices, and will learn to describe and analyze these practices according to their particular historical and cultural contexts. Students will also develop fundamental musicianship skills through singing, playing rhythms, and movements.Back to Top

Composer Study- Students will study and become familiar with at least 2 composers a year and several of their works in order to cultivate an appreciation for the great music and composers throughout history.Back to Top

Picture Study- We will study 2 artists a year and at least 6 of their works of art to cultivate an appreciation for the beauty of the great works of art. They will also be able to identify and experience the artists’ style through creating a rendering of one piece of work at the end of each term.Back to Top

Art- Each student will participate in a traditional art class where they will learn the elements and principles of art and create colorful projects that will allow them to show their personality, imagination and creativity! The backbone of the program throughout the grades will be the elements and principles of art. To be specific, the elements of art are form, color, texture, space and value. The principles of art are emphasis (focal point), balance, harmony, variety, movement, rhythm, and proportion. The younger grades will begin with the color wheel having them work on more representational and imaginative projects (such as color wheel people, warm and cool color fish collage, etc.). The older kids will get more abstract assignments, with a focus on pop-art.Back to Top

Language Arts

Literature- As early as possible, students are given “real books” to read. These books can be called “living” as they are filled with beautiful literary language and timeless ideas that are alive. At Amicitia, our desire is for our children to have books that are alive, that inspire and motivate. For that reason, books are chosen on their literary value. Well-chosen and well-written books are the springboard to excellent writing and thought.Back to Top

Spelling & Phonics- We use the Spell to Write and Read program (public school version) from Kindergarten through sixth grade. This program teaches we must teach more than the 26 letters of the alphabet as English has 45 sounds spelled in over 70 basic ways. It also gives students the 28 rules of phonics that account for the spelling of 93-97% of the most frequently used words in our language. This program provides the relationship between phonics (reading), writing and spelling instruction to give children a better foundation in the English language. Back to Top

Dictation-We use dictation as a valuable tool for the learner as it exposes children to the vocabulary and language of the best minds. It also provides an excellent teaching tool for grammar, spelling, and sentence fluency. Dictation and transcription also assists students in transferring their handwriting skills to written text as to produce beautiful handwriting.Back to Top

Composition- In the primary grades students are taught a love for writing through an opportunity to explore their imaginations and creativity. They are taught through the 6+1 model of writing and through literature to instruct them in characteristics of great writing. Principals of grammar and dictation support the conventional aspects of writing to ensure proper conventions and writing style from second through sixth grades. In the upper elementary students use written narration where our students learn from the best writers by imitating their style, literary language and vocabulary while producing their own original works. Throughout the grades, students will also do formal writing learning how to write a variety of genres.Back to Top

Read Aloud- This is a time, during homeroom, for students and teachers to be together exploring and entering into the wonder of living books. Reading aloud from great works of literature gives students access to vocabulary, literary language, become friends with the characters and delight in the journey that these books provide.Back to Top

Handwriting- Beginning in the primary grades students will learn cursive handwriting. Students will be working on form and beauty in their writing.Back to Top

Grammar- Students are taught proper writing mechanics and the rules of the English language through formal instruction. They will be learning how to transfer this knowledge through their spelling, dictation, and composition instruction.Back to Top

Poetry- Two poets and their works are introduced to the students each year. Students will read and discuss the poems. Then they will memorize selected poems for personal enjoyment and formal recitation.Back to Top

Science

Science- Students understand, come to love, and learn in the context of relationship with the world. In the study of science, students are to cultivate that relationship through hands on exploration of the world as often as possible and through scientific narrative whenever available. It is imperative that students’ knowledge goes beyond facts about science which are indeed important in increasing our children’s’ knowledge base in the study of science but the process of inquiry based learning should be paired with these facts to give children a relevant, meaningful understanding scientific concepts.Back to Top

Nature Study- Nature Study is a vessel to which children will be introduced into a relationship with nature and the world. The study of the nature found in Morocco produces children who have an understanding and good stewardship in their community. Teaching children to observe and examine the intricacy of the world around them in different forms and to revel in the wonder of it is the goal of a nature study lesson. During nature study lessons teachers guide and facilitate opportunities to learn, ask questions, make observations, and connections.Back to Top

History

History- Beginning in grade one, students study world history through grade four. In grades five and six students will study American history in depth. Moroccan history is woven into the history program based on time periods. The purpose of a historical approach is to give students an opportunity to study people, places, and events of the past. It gives students an understanding of the vastness of time and knowledge of the human race as well as the important ideas of great men and women in history and their fingerprint on our lives.Back to Top

Math

Math- Saxon Math is used to established foundations in math by teaching concrete mathematical concepts through incremental, guided instruction, allowing the child to work problems out with real world math until the concept makes sense to him. Then students move from the concrete to the pictorial to the abstract. Saxon also provides frequent cumulative reviews to reinforce concepts and helps students retain information. Math involves fact memorization but must also provide opportunities for students to make connections and discover underlying concepts that are critical to problem solving. The goal for math instruction at Amicitia is for students to enjoy math, discover mathematical concepts and to use it in real life application.Back to Top

Geography

Geography- Geography is naturally integrated into the curriculum to provide relevance to students as they study different people and places throughout the course of history.Back to Top

Languages

Arabic- Based on Moroccan Arabic curriculum
French- Based on National French System curriculum Back to Top