CCL Curriculum
The curriculum at the Center for Creative Learning (CCL) is uniquely designed to meet the needs of gifted learners. While each class revolves around a central theme, the primary focus is achieving the Missouri Gifted Learner Outcomes. These themes bring lessons to life and connect learning to real-world applications. The examples shared illustrate the curriculum offered at the CCL; however, each child’s experience will vary, as not every student takes every course. To ensure engagement, our curriculum is flexible and evolves based on student interests, keeping learning meaningful and relevant.
The Center for Creative Learning uses unique terminology for its classes, reflecting our specialized approach to education:
Main Unit - This is the core of a student’s day at the CCL. It is a semester-long course where students spend the majority of their time. For Kindergarten through 2nd grade, students stay with the same main unit teacher throughout the year. Starting in 3rd grade, students switch their main unit teachers each semester.
Kaleidoscope (Kal) - These are approximately 60 - 70-minute classes (depending on grade). The older students rank the Kaleidoscope classes they would be interested in taking. For Kindergarten and 1st grade, Kaleidoscopes are assigned rather than chosen. These classes cover a wide range of subjects and are designed to be highly engaging. Kaleidoscopes change each quarter.
Art - While focusing on traditional artistic concepts, each class connects to the main unit theme to deepen the learning experience. Art is one semester in length for grades K-5.
Music - An experiential music class that engages students in hands-on and immersive musical activities. Music is one quarter in length for grades 1-5.
STEAM - This class integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, focusing on problem-solving and the practical application of these disciplines. STEAM is one quarter in length for grades 1-5.
Kinnections - Our version of Physical Education emphasizes collaboration and problem-solving, creating a unique approach that advances beyond traditional PE classes. Grades K-5 meet in Kinnections every other week for the entire year.
Grade-Specific Highlights
Kindergarten: Gifted services begin in late January. Students take the “EarthLinks” main unit, with additional classes in Kinections, Art, and a 60-minute Kaleidoscope titled, “Twisted Tales” (a mix of ELA and STEAM activities).
1st Grade: The main unit first-grade students work on is “Wild Science”. In addition to Wild Science and their Kaleidoscope, the students have Kinections, Art, Music, and STEAM. For 1st Grade, the Kaleidoscope course lasts about an hour daily and changes every quarter. It includes topics like Optical Illusions and Number Detectives.
2nd Grade: The main unit that second-grade students work on in the first semester is CCL Design Studio: Landscape Architecture. In the second semester, the main unit is CCL Design Studio: Mechanical Masterminds. In addition to their CCL Design Studio class and a 70-minute Kaleidoscope, the students have Kinections, Art, Music, and STEAM.
3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade: The classes focus on different topics for the semester, and the students rotate to a new teacher in the 2nd semester. In addition to their main unit class and a 70-minute Kaleidoscope, the students have Kinections, Art, Music, and STEAM.
