Our curricular theme for the school year 2009-2010 is BRIDGES

The English department strives to introduce students to great literature and help them find their "writer's voice." The curriculum is thematic, and spans literary classics, film and other media. Throughout the year, students are taught to critically analyze what they read, hear and see. They learn to identify various literary elements and are encouraged to incorporate these into their assignments, which include short essays, in-depth analyses, book reports, reviews, character studies and creative writing. In addition to these frequent writing assignments, students have vocabulary and grammar exercises that draw from the works they are currently studying. By June of each year, students become increasingly confident as writers and critical thinkers.

The math department helps students fully develop their mathematical skills but at a pace that is appropriate for each of them. Students are grouped by math abilities, so that those who need more assistance in "math basics" can receive the extra grounding they require, while those who are more fluent in the area can progress at their own speed. Thus, the Computer School's math curriculum ensures the appropriate level of challenge and acceleration for students. Consistent with the Computer School's inter-disciplinary curriculum, math and science assignments are frequently coordinated. Although students in accelerated math usually sit for the Math A and B and Integrated Algebra Regents exams, they cover material that goes well beyond the Regents' curriculum. Regardless of students' mathematical abilities on entering the Computer School, they will leave with a solid understanding of the subject.

The Global Studies curriculum centers on a thoughtful examination of the past and our place in the world today. Central themes include globalization, world religions, and expansion and colonialism-all viewed through various historical and sociological lenses. Throughout the year, students address world problems such as economic inequality, civil and human rights, women's rights, war, genocide, tolerance, freedom and social change; they examine their roles as members of the world community. Assignments offer rigorous preparation for high school, and require independent historical research, advanced writing, mapping and other topographical skills, creating timelines, examining primary and secondary documents, and conducting oral histories.

The social studies curriculum is designed to give students historical knowledge, excellent research skills, a keen sense of geography, strong reading and writing skills, and most of all, a love of history through the study of current events, civics, politics, and geography. Students learn from a wide variety of sources such as maps, newspapers, memoirs, paintings, posters, historical documents, and textbooks. The city is often used as a classroom as well, with students making frequent walking tours, or trips to places such as Ellis Island and the Tenement Museum to supplement their knowledge of the particular topic being discussed. Social Studies and English assignments are generally coordinated, consistent with the school's inter-disciplinary approach.

The Earth Science curriculum offers a wide-ranging study of the earth, from how it was formed to how it fits within the universe. Students learn, for example, about different rock classifications, the phases of the moon and astronomy. They supplement their studies with numerous trips to the Natural History Museum, and a 3-day trip to Montauk in the fall, where they explore tide pools and can see stars that are rarely visible in the glare of the city's lights. By the end of the year, students are prepared to take the Earth Science Regents exam.

In 6/7 Science, students are exposed to scientific content in areas of both life science and physical science (life science refers to biology and animals, and physical science refers to matter, and what is around us). Students study global climate change, the environment, and issues that affect the global community such as health care. They are taught through hands-on activities, and learn how to conduct scientific experiments, setting forth their hypotheses and carefully going through the necessary steps to prove or disprove them. When they write up their experiments, they further hone their critical thinking and writing skills.

The Computer School believes that students should know and be able to learn effectively and live productively in our increasingly digital world. Computer School students take two classes of computers every week to augment their use of computers in each of their other classes. Student's are challenged to think about how technology can be used to solve problems, to visualize information and data, and to understand and reflect upon the media-information literacy skills that will allow them to confidently access, assess, and use digital information. Areas of exploration include Photoshop and digital collage; Microworlds, Scratch, Flash and basic programming concepts and animation skills; and the creation of a web-based digital portfolio. The classes have a blog and a wiki that allows them to communicate and collaborate with those outside of the physical school building.

The Computer School strongly believes that art is a fundamental part of the curriculum, and helps students better understand their world and themselves. In grades 6 and 7, the two-year curriculum includes perspective and architecture, proportions, water colors, construction, silk screening, and collages, as well as learning about famous artists, such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. 8th grade offers a continuation of these studies, and includes making topographic maps. Students regularly visit museums such as the Guggenheim and the Museum of Modern Art to see first-hand much of the art they are studying.

The more students are immersed in the Spanish language, the more productive their study of the language and culture will be. Students therefore are constantly prodded to speak, sing, listen, read, write and play games in Spanish. Regardless of whether students are just beginning Spanish or speak it at home, their Spanish skills improve through the continuous practice they receive at the Computer School.

That students should have active and healthy lifestyles is the underlying premise of the Computer School's physical education and health classes. The physical education classes give students a safe and structured environment in which to be physically active, and the health curriculum covers a broad range of topics to help students better understand the profound mental, physical, and emotional changes they are undergoing. Both areas endeavor to answer students' questions and give them the tools they need to navigate the challenges they face as budding young adults.