The Odyssey Preparatory Academy has been a Core Knowledge school since its inception. We feel confident that the Core Sequence with its variety of rich literature, focus on the arts, and emphasis placed upon historical context will provide a foundation of prior knowledge that will greatly benefit our scholars as they take on the challenges of high school and university.
The rationale for the Core Sequence is outlined below. However, sometimes it is more helpful to experience Core Knowledge than to explain it.
The following links allow you to see Core Knowledge in action at our campuses:
What I Learned at Odyssey ( A link showing CK displayed in a door decorating contest)
Interweaving Classroom Content (Link to a music teacher’s website)
Click here to view a pdf of Recommended Core Knowledge Reading
Click here for an overview of how we implement the Core Sequence at TOPA
The Core Knowledge Sequence is the result of a lengthy research process taken on by the Core Knowledge Foundation. The Sequence was put together by a group of educational professionals who consulted with academic organizations and studied different countries with successful educational systems. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 6th are exposed to integrated studies in world and American geography and history, science, visual arts, music, math and of the language arts.
The Core Knowledge® Curriculum is distinguished by the “Four S’s”:
- Specificity – By clearly specifying a core of knowledge, children are guaranteed equal access to that knowledge. The Sequence contains specific information of what each child should know.
- Shared – All children, regardless of where they come from, will have access to a shared body of knowledge that will help them become a part of a literate society.
- Solid – There is a body of basic knowledge that all children should know.
- Sequenced – Research has proven that children attach new knowledge to what they already know.
To learn more and to view the Core Knowledge Curriculum Sequence, please visit the official website: http://www.coreknowledge.org/
