Curriculum
Telra Institute's curriculum offers a rigorous and comprehensive foundation with tailored acceleration and enrichment opportunities for every student every day.
Mathematics
In mathematics, Telra employs the Singapore Math curriculum for younger students (grades K-1), Beast Academy math for upper elementary (grades 2-5), and Art of Problem Solving math for middle school
Singapore Math
The nation of Singapore has consistently ranked at the top on international mathematics exams. Singapore's curriculum was adapted and introduced to the U.S in 1998 and is now in widespread use in both public and private schools.
The Singapore method is known for its rigor and its focus on learning fewer concepts at a greater depth than traditional U.S. math curricula. Students master the concepts and can move on rather than having to "spiral" back and revisit topics as they do in other curricula.
Art of Problem Solving
Beast Academy is a problem-solving oriented math curriculum designed with advanced elementary math learners in mind. The program was developed by the mathematics enthusiasts at the Art of Problem Solving to be the curriculum they wish they had as young students, and it progresses into the Art of Problem Solving middle school curriculum.
The program focuses on building a foundation for more advanced math and science classes, instilling a joy of problem-solving, developing flexibility and perseverance, and teaching students to develop new insights on their own.
Sciences and Humanities
In the Sciences and Humanities, Telra uses a compacted version of the Core Knowledge sequence heavily enriched with curricula developed by the Center for Gifted Education at the College of William & Mary.
This approach provides the students the benefits of a comprehensive common foundation of content knowledge while creating ample time for enrichment, exploration, inquiry, and the development of advanced skills.
Language Arts
Our youngest learners start with the Heggerty phonological awareness and Letters and Sounds phonics curricula to build a solid reading foundation. We then use a variety of literacy and language strands to extend their growth
-
Printing and cursive skills with Zaner-Blosser and Handwriting w/o Tears
-
Ready NC Reading and Writing focuses on core NC literacy standards
-
Vocabulary using Caesar's English and the Word within the Word
As students progress, they spend more time with the Language Arts program developed by the W&M Center for Gifted Education, which includes award winning literature units, and the Jacob's Ladder reading comprehension program focused on developing critical thinking skills
Science
The Core Knowledge Science sequence provides students with a firm, cumulative knowledge base in science and engineering design, informed by the Next Generation Science Standards.
W&M Center for Gifted Education has developed a series of problem-based science units for advanced learners. In addition to exposing them to scientific concepts, these units engage students directly in scientific investigation, explore the relationship of science to all areas of human activity, and develop scientific habits of mind.
In the 6th grade year, students are exposed to a series of project-based W&M science units, preparing them to dive back into a systematic Integrated Science curriculum in grade 7
Social Studies
The Core Knowledge History and Geography sequence helps students build knowledge of diverse civilizations, cultures, and concepts, while incorporating topics from civics & arts and integrating tightly with the Language Arts program.
We supplement this with the W&M Center for Gifted Education Social Studies units which promote more primary source analysis, systems of cause and effect, and critical thinking.
Gym
We believe physical activity is important enough that most of our students enjoy PE every day or every alternate day. Everything from the traditions of ancient Greece to modern research findings support the idea that honing the body (aside from its intrinsic health benefits) also facilitates learning.
Research shows that physical activity improves speed and accuracy of cognitive tasks, the ability to focus attention, and of course long-term positive health outcomes.
Specials and Explore
K-3 students rotate through Art and Music. 4th and 5th graders add a language (German, in 2022-23), while middle school students have Art in their rotation.
In addition, our grade 4+ students will participate in a daily interdisciplinary workshop called “Explore."
Explore is organized into 6-12 week sessions in which students can select a passion project from a set of rotating offerings developed by their teachers. One group of students may learn a foreign language while a second films and edits a movie, and a third takes a leadership course. Other possibilities for Explore include topics like Keyboarding, Coding/Robotics, Economics, and Financial Literacy.
