Curriculum Overview

Brief Summary
Odyssey Community School offers a planned, ongoing and systematic curriculum for students in grades 4 – 8. With approximately 35 students per grade, Odyssey provides an average class size of 18, and in the upper grades, math classes half that size. Odyssey’s core curriculum is aligned with the Connecticut Framework: K-12 Curricular Goals and Standards, The CT Common Core of Learning and the content strands contained in the Connecticut Mastery Test for Language Arts, Mathematics and Science. Odyssey’s core academic areas are Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science and Technology. In addition, formal curricula are also in use for the areas of All School Exploratory (interdisciplinary, exploratory units of study), Advisory, Physical Education and Health, Art and CIRCLE classes.

All curricula are on a 3-year revision cycle to ensure that they continue to meet the latest state guidelines and to foster continuous improvement.

Odyssey is proud to offer three multi-age, interdisciplinary units of study each year—we call these our All School Exploratory Program, or ASE. These units provide opportunities for intensive, experiential exploration of topics of interest to pre-adolescents and young adolescents. In 2008/2009 the units of study were Africa, Creative Arts and The Earth. Relevant field trips and guest speakers provide enrichment opportunities for students.

Our CIRCLE values and corresponding curriculum remains part of the core of OCS’s missions. The CIRCLE words, Courage, Integrity, Respect, Curiosity, Leadership and Excellence, are taught intensively in fourth grade and during Advisory for all students, and these values are infused into every aspect of our school’s culture, from hallway interactions to classroom behavior, to the progressive discipline program.

OCS offers intensive remediation classes and support study classes for students who are identified as in need of academic help.

Throughout their tenure here, Odyssey students learn to express themselves effectively in a variety of ways, and develop strong character and self confidence that they carry with them into high school and beyond. Odyssey’s strong tradition of diversity ensures that students develop a high degree of empathy and tolerance for people who are different from themselves. Odyssey strives to ensure that all students come to value public education as a vehicle for personal and professional success.

OCS Language Arts Curriculum Overview
Odyssey’s Language Arts program is designed to help our students develop a lifelong love of reading and a strong ability to use spoken and written language for effective communication. Literacy is critical to every student’s success, and we have a strong reading curriculum that emphasizes reading for comprehension and enjoyment. The mechanics of writing and the conventions of standard English are taught in both Reading and Writing classes throughout the year.

Grade 4
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Story Elements
    • Plot, Setting, Theme
  • Compare and Contrast
  • Sequencing
  • Writing
    • Narrative Writing
  • Grammar and Editing Skills
    • Parts of Speech, Sentence types and structure, Punctuation, etc.
  • Spelling
  • Vocabulary
Grade 5
  • Spelling and Vocabulary
  • Grammar, Usage and Mechanics of Writing
  • Parts of Speech
    • Sentence Structure
    • Paragraph Development
    • Summarizing
  • Narrative Writing
    • Creative Script Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Sequencing
    • Drawing conclusions
    • Literal comprehension
    • Cause and Effect
    • Reflective Response
  • Study Skills
  • Expository Five Paragraph Essay
Grade 6
  • Spelling and Vocabulary
  • Grammar, Usage and Mechanics of Writing
    • Sentence Variety
    • Elaboration
    • Essay Development
  • Expository Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
    • Inferential Comprehension
    • Relatedness
    • Reflective Response
  • Research Skills
    • Paraphrasing
    • Using Multiple Sources
Grade 7
  • Spelling and Vocabulary
  • Grammar, Usage and Mechanics of Writing
    • Complex Sentence Structure
    • Extended Essay Response
  • Expository and Persuasive Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
    • Inferential Comprehension
    • Synthesis of Information
    • Literature Circles
      • Critical Analysis
      • Cooperative Comprehension
Grade 8
  • Spelling and Vocabulary
  • Grammar, Usage and Mechanics of Writing
    • Various Writing Styles
    • Advanced Punctuation
    • Advanced Sentence Structure
  • Persuasive Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
    • Inferential Comprehension
    • Synthesis and Analysis
    • Transference to Personal Experience
    • Literature Circles
  • Research Skills
    • Multiple Citations and Resources
    • Annotated Bibliography
    • Endnotes

Sample Literature Selections by Grade
Grade 4
  • Reading Anthology
Grade 5
  • Maniac Magee
  • There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom
  • Ella Enchanted
  • Bud, Not Buddy
Grade 6
  • Island of the Blue Dolphins
  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
  • A Wrinkle in Time
  • Hatchet
  • Tuck Everlasting
Grade 7
  • The Outsiders
  • The Giver
  • Make Lemonade
  • Raisin in the Sun
Grade 8
  • Animal Farm
  • The Hobbit
  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • My Brother Sam is Dead


OCS Mathematics Curriculum Overview
Odyssey’s Mathematics program is designed to help students develop a deep understanding of math concepts and an ability to apply those concepts to real-life problem-solving. Odyssey’s math curriculum is spiral in nature; students explore similar math concepts and develop skills from grade to grade, in increasing levels of detail and depth. Grade 7 teachers make recommendations to Grade 8 teachers about the readiness of eighth graders to take Algebra.

Grade 4
  • Number Sense
    • Place Value
    • Expanded Notation
  • Operations
    • Addition
    • Subtraction
    • Multiplication
    • Division
    • Problem-Solving
    • Fractions
  • Estimation and Approximation
    • Estimation Strategies
    • Estimating Solutions
    • Checking for Reasonableness
  • Ratios and Proportions
    • Finding Equivalent Rates
    • Using Models and Pictorial Representations
  • Probability and Statistics
    • Problem-Solving
    • Represent Probabilities as Fractions
    • Probability of Events
  • Measurements
    • Telling Time
    • Conversion of Measurements
    • Measurement Tools
    • Area and Perimeter
  • Spatial Relationships
    • Shapes and Properties of Shapes
    • Transformations with Geometric Shapes, Patterns and Designs
    • Building 3-D Objects
  • Patterns
    • Recognize, Describe, Extend, Analyze and Construct Numeric and Pictorial Patterns
  • Algebra
    • Use Symbols to Represent Equality and Inequality
    • Represent Ordered Pairs on a Coordinate Grid
  • Discrete Math
    • Sort and Classify Data
    • Explore Combinations and Permutations
    • Solving Problems by Organizing Data
Grade 5
  • Number Sense
    • Place Value
    • Pictorial Representation of Numbers
    • Order, Magnitude and Rounding of Numbers
  • Operations
    • Models for Operations
    • Basic Facts
    • Computations with Whole Numbers and Decimals
    • Solve Word Problems
  • Estimation and Approximation
    • Numerical Estimation Strategies
    • Estimating Solutions to Problems
  • Probability and Statistics
    • Tables, Graphs and Charts
    • Probability
  • Measurement
    • Time
    • Approximating Measurement
    • Customary Measurement
  • Spatial Relationships and Geometry
    • Geometric Shapes and Properties
  • Patterns
    • Recognize, Describe, Extend, Analyze and Construct Numeric and Pictorial Patterns
  • Integrated Understandings
    • Mathematical Applications
  • Discrete Math
    • Classification and Logical Reasoning
Grade 6
  • Number Sense
    • Place Value
    • Pictorial Representation of Numbers
    • Equivalent Fractions, Decimals and Percents
    • Order, Magnitude and Rounding of Numbers
  • Operations
    • Models for Operations
    • Basic Facts
    • Computations with Whole Numbers and Decimals
    • Computations with Fractions
    • Solve Word Problems
  • Estimation and Approximation
    • Numerical Estimation Strategies
    • Estimating Solutions to Problems
  • Probability and Statistics
    • Tables, Graphs and Charts
    • Probability
  • Measurement
    • Time
    • Approximating Measurement
    • Customary Measurement
  • Spatial Relationships and Geometry
    • Geometric Shapes and Properties
    • Spatial Relationships
  • Patterns
    • Recognize, Describe, Extend, Analyze and Construct Numeric and Pictorial Patterns
  • Algebra and Functions
    • Algebraic Concepts
  • Integrated Understandings
    • Mathematical Applications
  • Discrete Math
    • Classification and Logical Reasoning
Grade 7
  • Number Sense
    • Place Value
    • Pictorial Representation of Numbers
    • Equivalent Fractions, Decimals and Percents
    • Order, Magnitude and Rounding of Numbers
  • Operations
    • Models for Operations
    • Computations with Whole Numbers and Decimals
    • Computations with Fractions
    • Solve Word Problems
  • Estimation
    • Numerical Estimation Strategies
    • Estimating Solutions to Problems
  • Probability and Statistics
    • Tables, Graphs and Charts
    • Statistics and Data Analysis
    • Probability
  • Measurement
    • Approximating Measurement
    • Customary Measurement
  • Spatial Relationships and Geometry
    • Geometric Shapes and Properties
    • Spatial Relationships
  • Patterns
    • Recognize, Describe, Extend, Analyze and Construct Numeric and Pictorial Patterns
  • Algebra and Functions
    • Algebraic Concepts
  • Integrated Understandings
    • Mathematical Applications
  • Discrete Math
    • Classification and Logical Reasoning
Grade 8
  • Number Sense
    • Place Value
    • Pictorial Representation of Numbers
    • Equivalent Fractions, Decimals and Percents
    • Order, Magnitude and Rounding of Numbers
  • Operations
    • Models for Operations
    • Computations with Whole Numbers and Decimals
    • Computations with Fractions
    • Solve Word Problems
  • Estimation
    • Numerical Estimation Strategies
    • Estimating Solutions to Problems
  • Probability and Statistics
    • Tables, Graphs and Charts
    • Statistics and Data Analysis
    • Probability
  • Measurement
    • Approximating Measurement
    • Customary Measurement
  • Spatial Relationships and Geometry
    • Geometric Shapes and Properties
    • Spatial Relationships
  • Patterns
    • Recognize, Describe, Extend, Analyze and Construct Numeric and Pictorial Patterns
  • Algebra and Functions
    • Algebraic Concepts
  • Integrated Understandings
    • Mathematical Applications
  • Discrete Math
    • Classification and Logical Reasoning
Grade 8 Algebra Curriculum Overview
  • Write and apply the rules of order and operation
  • Describe and demonstrate the differences between natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational and irrational numbers, real and imaginary numbers, and complex numbers
  • Compute inverse numbers: opposites or additive inverses and reciprocals or multiplicative inverses
  • Apply the rules of operations with real numbers (8 or 11 rules for all operations)
  • Describe and apply number theory about divisibility, prime, indivisible and trivial factors
  • Apply the rules of divisibility for numbers 2, 3, 5 and 7
  • Apply the rules of divisibility for numbers 4, 6, 8 and 9
  • Compute and write the first 25 prime numbers
  • Discuss and who two reasons why the number 1 is not a prime number
  • Apply the reflexive, symmetric and transitive properties of equality
  • Apply the commutative, associative and identity properties of addition
  • Apply the commutative, associative and identity properties of multiplication
  • Apply the multiplicative property of zero
  • Apply the distributive property (both multiplication over addition and multiplication over subtraction)
  • Write and apply the symbolic definition of division (4 parts)
  • Demonstrate that division by zero is an undefined operation
  • Demonstrate the differences between simplification, solving, evaluation and substituting
  • Describe how to simplify, solve, evaluate and substitute
  • Read and write algebraic expressions, including and demonstrating an understanding of these terms and concepts: variable, coefficient, constant, expression, numerical expression, algebraic expression, grouping symbol, equation, formula, inequality, operation, sum, difference, product, quotient, addends, minuend, subtrahend, factor (n), divisor, dividend, exponent and base.
  • Simplify and apply inverse operations to solve single variable equations using the four properties of equality
  • Determine singular, infinite and contradictory solutions
  • Solve single variable inequalities using the properties of inequality
  • Graph functions: plot, point, graph, line, plane, functional notation, axis, origin, coordinate, ordered pair, quadrant, slope, infinite slope, undefined slope, x-intercept, y-intercept, slope formula, point-slope formula, slope-intercept form of an equation, standard form of an equation.
  • Write and apply the laws of exponents
  • Compute the square of the first 31 whole numbers
  • Simplify rational expressions
  • Describe polynomials including the following terms: monomial (both ways), polynomial, binomial, trinomial, degree of a monomial, degree of a polynomial, quadratic, Factor (v), hierarchy of factoring and the quadratic formula
  • Write, add, subtract, multiply, synthetically divide and factor polynomials
  • Compute square roots and principal square roots.
  • Write square roots using the radical symbol
  • Compute rational square roots and irrational square roots


OCS Science Curriculum Overview
Odyssey’s Science program is inquiry-based, and is designed to develop scientific thinking and investigational skills in students. Students study various topics related to the world around them, and through the discovery process, create their own hypotheses and conclusions about what they observe. The entire science curriculum has been created to stimulate student’s innate curiosity and thirst for knowledge.

Grade 4
  • Earth Science
    • Astronomy
      • Movements of the earth, moon and planets
      • Exploration of the seasons, phases of the moon, eclipses and tides
    • The Water Cycle
Grade 5
  • Life Science
    • Animals
    • Ecosystems including Biomes
    • The Human Body
  • Light and Sound
Grade 6
  • Earth Science
    • Meteorology and Weather
    • Earth Formations
    • Rocks and Minerals
Grade 7
  • Scientific Method
  • Scientific Measurement
  • Matter
  • Chemical Structure
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Cell Biology
Grade 8
  • Scientific Inquiry
  • Characteristics of Life
  • Classification of Living Things
  • Heredity
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Plant Structure and Reproduction
  • Plant and Animal Adaptations and Interactions
  • Life in the Past (including evolution)


OCS Social Studies Curriculum Overview
Odyssey’s Social Studies curriculum prepares students to be effective and responsible citizens in a democratic society, and instills in them a deep understanding of the similarities and differences within various cultures both within the United States and throughout the world. Students work together in a multicultural environment and learn the skills of collaborative inquiry and problem-solving. Essential geography skills and knowledge about the United States and other countries of the world are reinforced. An ongoing examination of current events helps students to become aware of local, national and international concerns.

Grade 4
  • States and Capitols
  • North and South American Geography
  • What is History?
  • First People of America (Mayan and Aztec Cultures and Native Americans)
  • European Exploration
  • New Colonies
Grade 5
  • Understanding Geography
  • Europe
  • Russia and Northern Eurasia
  • Asia
  • Africa
Grade 6
  • Archaeology (How do we learn about ancient civilizations?)
  • Timelines
  • Egypt
  • Greece
  • Rome
  • Medieval Times
Grade 7
  • Understanding History
  • New Empires in the Americas
  • The Colonies
  • American Revolution
  • The Constitutional Convention
  • Citizenship and the Constitution
  • Building a New Nation
  • A Changing Nation (Industrial and Agricultural Growth)
  • Westward Expansion
Grade 8
  • The Civil War and Reconstruction
  • Civil Rights / Women’s Rights
  • World Wars


OCS Visual Arts Curriculum Overview
Odyssey’s Visual Arts curriculum is designed to help our students develop and explore their creativity through a variety of art forms such as drawing, painting, graphic design, Photoshop, sculpture, perspective, and more. The curriculum is sequenced and spiral in nature, drawing on previous instruction. The use of creative and imaginative problem-solving is encouraged in every lesson. Throughout the grades, a minimum of 5 minutes of silent observational drawing from life is practiced at the start of every class period. Students practice critical analysis of their own and others’ work.

OCS Health and Physical Education Curriculum Overview
The Odyssey Health and PE curriculum helps students understand and make healthy lifestyle choices. The goals of this program are to foster skills that support a healthy life, including sound decision-making, goal setting, accessing accurate information, and understanding the factors that influence our choices. The OCS Health and PE curriculum is developmentally appropriate, exploring subjects in more depth as students move through the grades. Topics include drug awareness and avoidance, dangers of smoking and alcohol, stress, wellness, physical fitness, sportsmanship and teamwork.

OCS Technology Curriculum Overview
Odyssey has a sequential technology curriculum that is designed to help students develop excellent communication skills using a variety of technological media. Every student in every grade is exposed to technology as a tool for solving problems and communication. Students use state-of-the-art computer labs, SmartBoards, mobile laptop labs, video production equipment and more to enhance and develop projects in all classes.

OCS Exploratory Curriculum Overview
Exploratory is an integral part of an upper elementary and middle school experience. Through exposure to a variety of high-interest, experiential “mini-classes,” students have the opportunity to learn more about the world around them and their own particular interests. Some examples of exploratory classes are American Sign Language, French and Spanish, The Holocaust, Keyboarding, Video Production, Media Messages and DARE.

OCS All School Exploration
All School Exploration (ASE) is a unique Odyssey offering that brings the whole school together to study a topic in depth in the context of multi-grade classes. Many ASE topics are research-based and draw on knowledge and skills gained in other classes. The entire school shares in experiences like field trips and guest speakers. ASE is central to our mission at Odyssey, helping to create and sustain the community atmosphere that we value and encouraging students to celebrate the CIRCLE word “curiosity” by exploring topics of interest to all.

OCS CIRCLE Curriculum Overview
The CIRCLE values (Courage, Integrity, Respect, Curiosity, Leadership and Excellence) have been part of the guiding principals of Odyssey from the beginning. In reality, the CIRCLE “curriculum” is a blueprint for how the members of this school community agree to treat one another and how we agree to approach education. The CIRCLE words are taught explicitly in a class to all fourth graders. Our young students learn the meaning of each word and explore ways that the words manifest in their lives, both in and out of school. Students study examples of famous people throughout history who manifest the CIRCLE words, and they look at examples of the CIRCLE values in the daily life of our school.