Family & Community Alternative Learning
Charter Schools Best Practices

Community Day Charter Public School

Using Community Resources to Enhance the Teaching of History

Topics:	Developing, refining, and documenting curricula Community involvement
Mission:	The mission of CDCPS is to provide a Kindergarten through grade eight school that will draw upon our considerable experience in working together as a community to develop and implement a curriculum that discovers and supports the special characteristics and unique learning styles of each student. We will engage that student in meaningful learning experiences for the purposes of clearly stated goals in the areas of understandings, knowledge, skills, habits and social competencies. The curriculum will be embedded in the reality of city life and will reinforce the positive aspects of our city: its culture, art and economy, its working class history and strong work ethic. Our educational philosophy, curriculum and teaching methods are informed by an understanding that learning takes place in the context of family and that family must be supported in ways that make learning for the child possible.
Goals:	1. To develop lessons incorporating the history and social science standards with community service learning
Summary:	Lawrence History Project. This best practice centers around a standards-based, academically challenging curriculum that draws on the cultural assets of Lawrence and community service learning to teach the MA history and social science standards. Community Day Charter Public School worked with Lawrence Family Development Charter School and the Lawrence History Center to study the history of Lawrence and develop lessons that integrate the teaching of MA history and social science standards with a community service learning component. The three partners delivered a one-day seminar to teachers from participating schools. The project was funded by a Massachusetts Community Service Learning Partnership grant.
Partner(s):
Dates:	01/01/2006 01/01/2007
Contact:	Laura Richane, Director of Educational Initiatives (lrichane@thecommunitygroupinc.org/978.682.6628)
Resources:	Lessons developed by teachers at Community Day Public Charter School and participants. Contact the school for more information.
Federal Charter Schools Program Funds?	No

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