Academics

Our unique tutoring program is the true cornerstone of a Legacy education; 1:1 daily tutoring is provided for any child reading below grade level. At the beginning of each year, every student is assessed in phonological awareness, decoding, encoding and reading fluency. An individualized treatment plan is developed based on these scores. Subsequent winter and spring assessments are also given to refine teaching and track student progress.

Every tutor at Legacy is formally trained in a variety of methods approved by the International Dyslexia Association. These methods include Orton-Gillingham, The Wilson Reading Method, The Lindamood Bell Phoneme Sequencing Program and other multisensory methodologies. Caring, sensitive Legacy tutors tap into the unique learning style of each dyslexic child, utilizing explicit, systematic, sequential, multisensory teaching to ensure each child masters the English language. Daily instruction includes phonological awareness practice, decoding, encoding, and fluency practice. For many students, this interaction leads to the first success a student has experienced in reading. Additionally, tutors help each child grow to understand their learning style and act as an advisor and advocate.

The ultimate goal of Legacy’s math program is to foster a deep and thorough number sense in our students so that they can effectively solve mathematical problems. We understand that the same language-based challenges that impact our students in reading and writing present difficulties for them in understanding and applying the language of math. Our average math class consists of four students grouped by mathematical ability and learning style.

At Legacy, students use a program called Math-U-See, where they build visual and kinesthetic models to gain mastery over number sense, math facts, and mathematical concepts. The focus is on understanding math, so that the child can then appropriately problem solve.

We want the student to know that multiplication is “fast adding of the same number” and that you can represent a multiplication problem by building a rectangle. If a student can “show” the teacher a multiplication problem and explain multiplication in his or her own words, then he is demonstrating a real understanding of this important concept.

Through our units on addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, we teach and expect students to master their math facts. If we ask our students, “What is 6 times 7?” then we want to hear an immediate “42”, and we will work with all students to attain this level of mastery. Our program emphasizes a deep ownership of number sense, mastery of math facts, and word problem analysis.

Once Legacy students have a solid mathematical foundation in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions and decimals, they move onto a rich discovery program focused on an investigative approach to mathematics. This complete mathematics curriculum, aligned with The Common Core State Standards Initiative, utilizes engaging interactive problems and motivating everyday situations to learn math concepts. We appropriately challenge each student, regardless of whether math is his or her primary strength or a relative weakness.

Students at Legacy have a written language class each day in addition to tutoring and literature class. This intensive language study is ideal for our population of students as they are able to practice a wide range of language skills each day.

As in all of our language classes, writing skills are taught in a careful sequence:

1. Parts of Speech
2. Sentence Structure
3. Paragraphs
4. Complete Essays

Students attain mastery over these crucial skills, so that expository writing becomes an automatic task and one that is less overwhelming. Through the use of graphic organizers, computer programs, multi-sensory instruction and extensive writing skill development, Legacy students become proficient writers.

The Social Studies Program at Legacy presents a linear and interdisciplinary approach to history and follows a four-year rotation:

• Year 1 Ancient Times
• Year 2 Middle Ages
• Year 3 Early Modern and Early Maryland History
• Year 4 Late Modern and Modern Maryland History

All Legacy students study the same time period together each year, enhancing community as they join together in school-wide projects, guest speakers and related field trips. Essentially, the time period of the academic year becomes the “theme of the school”, and is the source of much fun and discussion. Every year the studied historical time period is integrated with Geography, Literature, Writing, and Art, enriching and deepening learning opportunities. Students enrolled at Legacy from grades 1 through 8 will have the opportunity to move through the four time periods twice.

In grades 1-4, the goal is to lay a solid foundation and an understanding of the timeline and key events. In grades 5-8, the goal is to apply higher order thinking skills to that solid foundation. Students plan thematic days, prepare oral presentations, and practice outlining and maintaining an accurate timeline. In Years 3 and 4, the month of May is “Maryland Month” and we focus our studies specifically on our state’s history during that time.

Legacy students explore the same time period studied in Social Studies in their related Arts classes. This rich, interdisciplinary approach to learning allows students to collaborate with hands-on projects related to the historical time period. For example, when studying colonial times, students create their own clay bowls, candles, feather-quills and an intricate colonial village. Legacy students also learn to play period instruments and are exposed to music of the time. In addition, students demonstrate an understanding of the period through two school-wide yearly dramatic productions. This unique combination of the arts and Social Studies really makes history come alive and allows for experiential learning opportunities.

Literature class covers other language topics and skills that are not addressed specifically in tutoring or writing class. Because all of our students have language-based learning weaknesses, participating in three language classes each day helps to further remediate and advance the students in the area of language.

Students gain a love of literature and practice skills such as:

• Story Mapping
• Character Analysis
• Summarizing
• Vocabulary Development

The Literature Program at Legacy is integrated with the Social Studies curriculum. Reading selections are chosen to enhance understanding and appreciation of the historical time period being studied. Students are exposed to a variety of genres including, but not limited to:

• Fiction
• Mystery
• Science Fiction
• Fantasy
• Biographies
• Mythologies
• Epics
• Lyric Poetry

In line with our thematic approach to learning, Science class follows a four-year rotation, and is tied into our Social Studies program. Students study Science in a logical order according to when it was discovered and first used in history. Science corresponds to our Social Studies “theme of the school,” and the four-year rotation is as follows:

1. Biology, Classification, Human Body
2. Earth Science, Basic Astronomy
3. Chemistry
4. Physics, Computer Science

The Legacy science program is inquiry-based, and there are endless opportunities to participate in investigations and experiments. Our inquiry-based approach fosters a sense of wonder and an appreciation for science in our students. Legacy’s campus provides an outdoor science lab, complete with a barn, wildlife and a student-made garden. Students at Legacy receive science instruction daily, and we value our students’ natural curiosity about the way the world works.

Art, drama, and music are a respected and integrated part of Legacy’s academic program. Our students excel in “out of the box” thinking and are often drawn toward the creative arts. Our physical education program promotes health, ensuring students remain active during the school day.

Legacy’s art program is an exciting part of our multisensory education in which students create sculptures, paintings, pottery, and mosaics. For a number of our students, art simply fulfills their lives.

Students’ artwork is prominently displayed in the hallways and featured in art shows and fundraisers throughout the year. Our art teacher collaborates closely with our social studies and science teachers on cross-curricular projects that integrate art into classroom experiences.

The music program at Legacy is designed to provide students with a creative outlet throughout the day and to enrich the Social Studies and Science programs through cross-curricular instruction.

Students have music class at least twice a week during which they are exposed to a variety of musical instruments and styles from the ancient and modern world.

Throughout the year, students learn the rudiments of music and songwriting, culminating in two performances during the winter and spring productions.

Legacy involves students at all skill levels in a physical education program. The program encourages children’s personal fitness, while fostering key life skills such as teamwork, problem solving, leadership, sportsmanship, cooperation, and communication.

Students who read on grade level and no longer require direct reading instruction move onto a Study Skills Course. Much like a tutor, the study skills teacher acts as an advocate for students while teaching them how to advocate for themselves, identify their individual strengths, and learn how to apply that knowledge to their studying practices. Students learn valuable executive functioning skills and receive support for other content and skills classes such as practice with taking notes and writing paragraphs and essays. Students also work on test preparation and become familiar with high school expectations.