The Core Curriculum of MACC
In most classrooms, the work and schedule revolves around the core subjects such as Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. In MACC, the learning is structured around project-based learning, literacy and numeracy. Students are guided towards autonomous learning in all three areas.
PBL
Project-Based Learning
There are three main projects throughout the year, one in each term. Students are taught critical thinking, research, scientific method, non-fiction writing, and presentation skills. Students are encouraged to pursue their own interests and to delve deeply into the issues. The learning goals for PBLs are critical thinking, depth in research, the quality of products, and autonomous learning.
Literacy
Literacy involves a wide range of teacher-directed activities such as literature circles, debates, essay writing, non-fiction reading, Socratic Circles, fiction writing, poetry, Shakespeare, novel studies, seminars, and speeches. Within teacher-directed assignments, students are guided towards AL through self-reflections, self-assessment, self-monitoring and time management. In addition to the core literacy curriculum, students are encouraged to pursue their own interests through self-directed enrichment.
Numeracy
Students work at their level on self-paced curriculum. Students are encouraged to self-reflect and self-monitor on their mastery of each chapter before taking a test. Teachers provide enrichment through Problem of the Week, math contests, and Spirit of Math, a fluency program. Students are encouraged to seek enrichment through Power Problems, Historical Mathematicians, on-line math challenges, and math games.
