Curriculum Guide
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Curriculum Guide

PYP (Lower school) ClassesMYP (Middle and Upper) ClassesDP (Upper) Classes

Sort Classes by Tags or Categories: PK, JK, SK, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th Grade.

Sort by Multiple Tags: Select the appropriate "TAGS" under the dropdown above, and click "FILTER" to see the classes that apply. Some example combinations are "6th Grade" and "World Languages", or "11th Grade" and "Science."

View a PDF of all classes, from 5th-12th grade.


MYP Exploring Dance (Arts Rotation) – Grade 5/6

Expand your creativity by stepping into the role of choreographer!  We will explore the Elements of Dance- Body, Action, Space, Time, Energy, and Relationships through exciting collaborative activities that move us physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Novice and experienced dancers alike will enjoy creating original choreography as we learn about the origins of dance styles from many cultures.  Students have the opportunity to share their work through in-class and school-wid... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Mar 7

MYP General Music (Arts Rotation)– 6th Grade

6th Grade General Music continues from skills and knowledge students learned in the fifth grade year. Student will play a variety of instruments with an emphasis on ukulele and Orff instruments. Students will continue to grow in their understanding of basic musical skills and vocabulary through singing, instruments, folk dancing, and creation through music technology. Students will present their learning during a final classroom performance.  Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Mar 7

MYP General Music (Arts Rotation) - 5th Grade

5th Grade General Music continues from skills and knowledge students learned in the fourth grade year. Students will play a variety of instruments with an emphasis on soprano recorder and Orff instruments. Students will gain an understanding of basic musical skills and vocabulary such as beat, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, etc. These concepts will be explored through singing, instruments, and folk dancing. These skills will be presented with a final classroom performance. Students will also create... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Mar 7

Middle School Beginning Strings Class

Middle School Instrumental Ensembles are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced ensemble for interested wind and percussion students in Grades 5-8.  Students respective Band Ensemble Class occurs during the school day along with required planned dedicated morning and/or afterschool rehearsals.  Students will perform together in various school, department and community events.  Through a variety of music styles, student will achieve an understanding of music expression, melodic a... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Mar 7

Introduction to Web Development

This course is intended to teach students the fundamentals of Web development and design through project-based learning. Students will be taught the basics of Web Development, such as web hosting, file organization, & incorporating databases to their websites using JavaScript, HTML, PHP, CSS & MySQL. Students will utilize an experimental and inquiry-based approach to problem solving, developing algorithms, & creating fully functioning web sites. By learning to design and deve... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Mar 7

Theatre Arts and Speech I

This course offers a comprehensive study of acting and theatrical arts. The curriculum includes acting technique, voice and speech, music and dance, fundamentals for preparation of musical theatre, scene study, and audition prep. This course will offer the training that will meet the needs of both the beginning student and the young professional. This class can serve as a prerequisite for DP Theatre. Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Mar 7

Band

Middle School Instrumental Ensembles are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced ensemble for interested wind and percussion students in Grades 5-8.  Students respective Band Ensemble Class occurs during the school day along with required planned dedicated morning and/or afterschool rehearsals.  Students will perform together in various school, department and community events.  Through a variety of music styles, student will achieve an understanding of music expression, melodic a... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Mar 6

Atelier SL, Grades 9 - 12

Elective - Classical Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpting and Calligraphy      The Michelangelo Project-Atelier (Year 1) offers classical fine art training. Concentrating mostly on realistic drawing, it trains artists to high technical levels by studying in the tradition of past masters. Similar to a master-apprentice education, the instructor regularly presents demonstrations and critiques. Training is individualized and addresses the unique needs of each artist... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Mar 6

IB DP History SL

This is a two-year course of study focused on examining various topics of 20th Century History.  The first units explore the Move to Global War, where students analyze sources to examine various factors that led to the start of WW2 in both Asia and in Europe. The next unit, Authoritarian States, studies authoritarian leaders including Mao Zedong and early 20th Century China. The rise and consolidation of power by Mao is analytically compared with the rise and consolidation of power by Fi... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Mar 6

Studies In Film

This course will explore the movies and talents of Steven Spielberg, beginning with the many influences on his earliest films and his development of the blockbuster movie. The focus of the class then switches to Spielberg’s career after the blockbusters, including his recent Oscar-nominated works. Special emphasis will be placed on Spielberg influences such as Hitchcock, Ford, Wyler, Kubrick, Curtiz, Lean, etc. The class will also explore the movies’ themes and their significance ... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 28

Psychology Through Film

This elective course uses film to help better understand the topics covered in this introductory class. The choice of film will be based on the topic being covered. The structure of the course is to introduce topics in class prior to viewing a film, watch the film and complete a study guide, write an essay and then discuss the film and study guide in class. Through this course students will increase analytical skills, recognize their own psychological and emotional responses to film, learn ho... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 28

Percussion Ensemble

Full Year Course   This ensemble is for students in grade 7 and 8 who are not in Band Ensemble and are interested in learning techniques and performance skills on pitched and non-pitched percussion instruments. The ensemble will perform globally diverse music styles and genres, as well as, their own class composition. This course will take place during the school day and will require an on-campus performance.      Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 14

Advanced Visual Art, Grades 7-8

Full-year course   This course is offered to students in grades 7 and 8 interested in expanding their learning process through visual arts. Students will explore advanced artistic techniques and methods while refining their creative skills. Also, students will explore more of a creative license to develop their creativity and interests while learning about historical  art periods and artists of the world.     Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 14

Game Design 

Multimedia design is recommended before taking game design If you’ve ever been interested in creating your own game, this course is for you. Game design is about creating challenges, setting, and achieving goals, and making the world a better place. Games can bring people together or provide a private place for players to escape to. Students will work solo and in teams to create a variety of games including, but not limited to video games as they learn about digital design, audio d... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

XR (Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality)

Multimedia design is recommended before taking XR (Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality)  Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are emerging technologies that lead to a wide variety of careers in the fields of engineering, education, games, architecture, and many others. In this course students will use a variety of cutting-edge technologies, such as the Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift, to create experiences, worlds, and tools to solve problems and explore these constantly evolving ... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

Multimedia Design

In this course students will learn the design process to create designs such as logos, digital illustration, infographics, 3d package design and web sites using online tools and professional level software such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Premier. This class focuses on user centered problem solving and developing creative, innovative solutions.   Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

Robotics Design, Grade 9, 10

Robotics is a course that focuses on different aspects of engineering problem solving and design. This introductory course gives student an idea about the integration of mechanical components, electrical devices, and programming dynamics. Mechanical and electrical components that will be used are factory manufactured, but the idea is to get hands on experience using these together. To integrate the programming field, we will use “OnBot” also the form of “Blockly” slow... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

Facing History & Ourselves 

This is a one year course with resources that have been selected by Facing History and Ourselves that is sequenced in order to deepen the ethical and moral reasoning of students and to challenge their critical thinking and literacy skills. The course is divided into twelve sections that guide students through an in-depth study of the Holocaust and an intellectual and emotional journey through and exploration of universal themes that raise profound and disturbing questions about human behavior... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

French III HL  

Student must meet the following criteria: An A or B in SL level class teacher reccomendation This course incorporates the three fundamental concepts of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP): holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication.  A variety of engaging experiences will include but are not limited to direct teaching, projects, inquiry, discussions, peer evaluations, cooperative learning, differentiation, and practice through reading... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

French III SL

This course incorporates the three fundamental concepts of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP): holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication.  A variety of engaging experiences will include but are not limited to direct teaching, projects, inquiry, discussions, peer evaluations, cooperative learning, differentiation, and practice through reading, writing, worksheets, games, songs, listening activities, and more.    &nb... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

French II HL 

For a student from Middle School moving to II HL A final grade of A in both 7th and 8th grade Has summative scores averaging an A Performed well on all portions of the placement test, including the essay portion  This course incorporates the three fundamental concepts of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP): holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication.  A variety of engaging experiences will include but are not limited to dire... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

French II SL

Student must meet the following criteria: no significant skill gaps that would impede success in the setting scored an A in all formatives and summatives teacher recommendation required This course incorporates the three fundamental concepts of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP): holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication.  A variety of engaging experiences will include but are not limited to direct teaching, projects, inquiry, d... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

French I 

This course incorporates the three fundamental concepts of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP): holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication.  A variety of engaging experiences will include but are not limited to direct teaching, projects, inquiry, discussions, peer evaluations, cooperative learning, differentiation, and practice through reading, writing, worksheets, games, songs, listening activities, and more.     &nb... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

Mandarin III HL

Student must meet the following criteria: An A or B in SL level class teacher reccomendation This course incorporates the three fundamental concepts of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP): holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication.  A variety of engaging experiences will include but are not limited to direct teaching, projects, inquiry, discussions, peer evaluations, cooperative learning, differentiation, and practice through rea... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

Mandarin III SL

This course incorporates the three fundamental concepts of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP): holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication. A variety of engaging experiences will include but are not limited to direct teaching, projects, inquiry, discussions, peer evaluations, cooperative learning, differentiation, and practice through reading, writing, worksheets, games, songs, listening activities, and more.    This course will... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

Mandarin II HL

For a student from Middle School moving to II HL A final grade of A in both 7th and 8th grade Has summative scores averaging an A Performed well on all portions of the placement test, including the essay portion  This course incorporates the three fundamental concepts of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP): holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication.  A variety of engaging experiences will include but are not limited to direc... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

Mandarin II SL

Student must meet the following criteria: no significant skill gaps that would impede success in the setting scored an A in all formatives and summatives teacher recommendation required This course incorporates the three fundamental concepts of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP): holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication.  A variety of engaging experiences will include but are not limited to direct teaching, projects, inquiry, d... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

Mandarin I

This course incorporates the three fundamental concepts of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP): holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication.  A variety of engaging experiences will include but are not limited to direct teaching, projects, inquiry, discussions, peer evaluations, cooperative learning, differentiation, and practice through reading, writing, worksheets, games, songs, listening activities, and more.    &nbs... Read More
Posted by Shayne Dotson at Feb 1

Spanish III HL

Student must meet the following criteria: An A in each language skill (4 criteria) teacher recommendation This course incorporates the three fundamental concepts of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP): holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication.  A variety of engaging experiences will include but are not limited to direct teaching, projects, inquiry, discussions, peer evaluations, cooperative learning, differentiation, and practice thr... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Jan 27

Spanish III SL

Student must meet the following criteria: no significant skill gaps that would impede success in the setting scored an A in all formatives and summatives teacher recommendation required This course incorporates the three fundamental concepts of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP): holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication. A variety of engaging experiences will include but are not limited to direct teaching, projects, inquiry, discussions, pe... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Jan 27

Literacy, PK3

Learning about literacy is a fundamental skill for all of our Lower School students. This is especially true for our Pre-Kindergarten three-year-olds. Within PK3, students are introduced to phonemic awareness authentically through daily classroom routines and activities. These include small group centers, one-on-one time with their teacher as well as learning different poems and songs to help promote letter recognition. For writing skills, PK3 students gain exposure to the Phonics units of st... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

Literacy, JK

Building on skills learned in PK3, our Junior Kindergarten students focus on phonemic awareness authentically through daily classroom routines and activities. Additionally, they learn to recognize and spell snap words and high-frequency sight words, understand rhyming words, and express their learning through pictures and sentences in writing journals. Students also participate in morning meeting messages from teachers to students and daily read-aloud books and independent book choices. Commu... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

Literacy, SK - Grade 4

In Senior Kindergarten through fourth grade, literacy skills are taught through the Reading and Writing Workshop model that all of Lausanne's Lower School teachers are trained in at the Columbia University Teachers College. This curriculum model incorporates mini-lessons where skills are explicitly taught through guided reading and writing groups, independent work time and conferring with a teacher and learning specialist. Reading workshop teaches reading and comprehension strategies... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

English 5

The 5th grade English curriculum integrates reading, writing, speaking, listening, and the study of vocabulary and grammar in a way that supports them in building a broad and diverse set of literacy skills. Different genre novels are explored throughout the year, along with learning to write in that style: Historical fiction, realistic fiction, non-fiction, and Fantasy/Mythology. Each writing assignment spans several lessons and guides students through a writing process that begins with prew... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

English 6

In sixth grade Language and Literature, students enhance their skills in four core areas: analysis, organization, producing text, and using language. We read four core texts: Wonder by RJ Palacio, The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Outsiders by SE Hinton, and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. With each of these texts, we explore themes of courage, kindness, loyalty, freedom, and the importance of staying true to yourself. Each book also focuses on the variety of ways you can be an upsta... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

English 7

Students in seventh grade Language & Literature focus on the four Language Arts components: writing, reading, speaking and listening. Students in this course are expected to do the following: engage in independent, self-selected readings as well as teacher-assigned readings; read for meaning and thematic analysis in literature; make associations and connections between literature and real-world concepts; learn to analyze different types of selections (such as short stories, novels, primar... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

English 8

Students in eighth grade Language & Literature focus on the concept of “big ideas” which takes them into lifelong adventures in learning that are both within and across disciplines and subjects. Four key ideas that have been identified as the framework for language and literature are communication, connections, creativity, and perspective, and four objectives are used to set standards for evaluation:  analysing, organizing, producing text, and using language. In Language &... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

DP English SL

DP English Literature, Standard Level, is a course designed to develop and strengthen listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through a variety of teacher-initiated and student-centered activities. These activities incorporate and advance ideas related to literature, history, culture, political and natural environments, and interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships with the goal of furthering critical thinking and promoting international-mindedness. Students who successfully compl... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

DP English HL

DP English Literature, Higher Level, is a course designed to develop and strengthen listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through a variety of teacher-initiated and student-centered activities. These activities incorporate and advance ideas related to literature, history, culture, political and natural environments, and interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships with the goal of furthering critical thinking and promoting international mindedness. Students who successfully complet... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

Prehistory & the Rise of Civilization, Grade 5  

Fifth graders step back in time to learn about Prehistory and the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, China and India. They learn about humans' complex lives through the lenses of geography, religion, achievements, politics, economy, and social structure. Students use their knowledge to understand the impact on today's world. Etymology is also incorporated as a yearlong vocabulary unit of study focused on the use of Greek morphemes.    Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

Ancient History, Grade 6  

In Sixth Grade students look at present times through Ancient History. Through directed units of inquiry, students learn the major theme of social studies: People, places, environments, culture, global connections, continuity and change. The year picks up where Fifth Grade ended, studying the rise and fall of Ancient Rome, then continues study of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance Period, the Age of Enlightenment and the Age of Exploration. Etymology is also incorporated as a yearlong voca... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

American History, Grade 7

Students in seventh grade will learn about the history of the United States. From the first Americans up to the 20th Century. As we learn about history, we will be looking at various perspectives on the impact of major events in the past. We will learn about the country's history through 8 historical themes:  Patterns of Population   Power    Trade and Exchange   Access to Resources    Expressing Identity    Science, Technology and the Envir... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

Global History, Grade 8

In Eighth Grade, our central theme is globalization. Our key focus within globalization is how trade and technology have made the world into a more connected interdependent place but has also led to worldwide conflicts and economic problems. We do this through a series of aligned historical events which are outlined in the following units of study:   The Industrial Revolution   The Age of Imperialism   World War I   The Worldwide Great Depression   ... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

DP Business SL

The DP Business Management course develops an understanding and application of business theory, principles, and practices through an integrated study of key business functions – organization/management, marketing, human resources, operations and finance. The 5 main units in the course cover the basics of business startup and strategy, human resources, finance, marketing, and operations management. It encourages a holistic view of the business world through an exploration of four overarc... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

DP Business HL

The Higher Level (HL) study of Business Management course is a more in-depth study of the concepts and techniques covered in the SL level, with emphasis on strategic analysis and mastery of more complex business quantitative tools and skills. The 5 main units in the course cover the basics of business startup and strategy, human resources, finance, marketing, and operations management. It encourages a holistic view of the business world through an exploration of four overarching concepts: cre... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

DP Economics SL

The purpose of the DP Economics SL course is to encourage students to analyze how individuals, institutions, and societies deal with the central problem of scarcity. In the first year of the course, students will examine this issue from a microeconomic level (decisions made by individuals and specific institutions and firms), as well as macroeconomic (decisions made by entire nations/economies). In the second year of the course, students will explore issues in international economics (free tr... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

DP Economics HL

The purpose of the DP Economics HL course is to encourage students to analyze how individuals, institutions, and societies deal with the central problem of scarcity. In the first year of the course, students will examine this issue from a microeconomic level (decisions made by individuals and specific institutions and firms), as well as macroeconomic (decisions made by entire nations/economies). In the second year of the course, students will explore issues in international economics (free tr... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

IB DP 20th Century History HL

This is a two-year course of study focused on examining various topics of 20th Century History.  The first units explore the Move to Global War, where students analyze sources to examine various factors that led to the start of WW2 in both Asia and in Europe. The next unit, Authoritarian States, studies authoritarian leaders including Mao Zedong and early 20th Century China. The rise and consolidation of power by Mao is analytically compared with the rise and consolidation of power by Fi... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

DP Social and Cultural Anthropology HL

The social and cultural anthropology course explores humankind in all its diversity through the comparative study of culture and society. Anthropology contributes to an understanding of contemporary issues, such as gender, ethnicity, religion, the environment, globalization, human rights, inequality and poverty, technology, and violence. This course offers critical insight into the continuities as well as dynamics of social change and the development of societies, and challenges cultural assu... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16

DP Social and Cultural Anthropology SL

The social and cultural anthropology course explores humankind in all its diversity through the comparative study of culture and society. Anthropology contributes to an understanding of contemporary issues, such as gender, ethnicity, religion, the environment, globalization, human rights, inequality and poverty, technology, and violence. This course offers critical insight into the continuities as well as dynamics of social change and the development of societies, and challenges cultural assu... Read More
Posted by Steven Russell at Aug 16