Curriculum Review
The district is currently going through a review process for elementary literacy curriculum and secondary math curriculum, in order to make equity-driven shifts for both programs and increase and improve student and parent engagement.
A key component of our curriculum review process is community engagement. We want to hear from you! Please review the committees' choices and rationale. You are also encouraged to fill out a questionnaire below, based on your topic area of interest.
Elementary Literacy
Secondary Math
Elementary Literacy Adoption
The elementary literacy adoption committee has made a decision to recommend EL Education for adoption to the Instructional Materials Committee and School Board. The committee made this decision for the following reasons:
Social Emotional Learning and a connection to equity are incorporated directly into the curriculum.
Writing standards and activities are embedded -- with opportunities for both responding to reading and responding to formal writing prompts in all writing genres.
There is a strong integration of content standards in social studies and science -- especially the life science standards.
The topics, concepts, and texts are engaging topics and texts.
The learning design and supported pedagogy are aligned to our values and drivers, including being play-based, project-based, oriented toward deeper learning.
The learning design enhances transfer of knowledge, amplified also by embedded components of real world application and relevant purpose for learning.
The program is aligned Elements of Aligned ELA instruction and the science of reading research -- including close reading of complex text and tools that support students in accessing the complex text.
The tasks and texts are developmentally appropriate. The choice of texts and authors are more equitable and support our focus on equity and diversity.
There is a consistent building of knowledge through the modules. The fewer topics and concepts in the units allow for more flexibility, giving teachers the autonomy to stay longer and go deeper with students.
There are built in supports for emerging bilingual students along with a guide that crosswalks the curriculum with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework.
Accessing EL Education Materials for Review
EL Education curriculum materials are Open Educational Resources (OER). Anyone can access them, as well as find extensive information about the EL Education literacy program at: eleducation.org
The elementary literacy adoption committee will recommend the adoption of the K-5 Language Art Modules as well as the K-2 Labs and 3-5 ALL Block materials for adoption. The current K-3 reading foundational skills curriculum, Fundations, will still be used to phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling, grammar, and language.
Secondary Math Adoption
The secondary math adoption committee has made a decision to recommend Illustrative Mathematics for adoption to the Instructional Materials Committee and School Board. The committee made this decision for the following reasons:
Illustrative Math program received a perfect score on Edreports.org for its deep alignment to the academic standards and for having components that support student learning.
Paying particular attention to the score for usability:
the program has an effective lesson structure and pacing
materials support teacher learning and understanding of the Standards
materials offer teachers resources and tools to collect ongoing data about student progress
materials support teachers in differentiating instruction for diverse learners; materials support effective use of technology to enhance student learning
The program includes components like differentiated learning activities, tools for anticipating misconceptions, English Language learner supports, and family resources to help support at-home learning.
Math language routines are built into the program, supporting all students in accessing the math; each lesson has guidance regarding supporting EL students and students with IEPs.
The program builds conceptual understanding through “high ceiling, low floor” tasks.
There is a solid scope and sequence and building of concepts throughout the units and courses.
The mathematics is accessible.
There are embedded instructional routines, including “cool downs for every lesson”, providing a great way to check what students know and to provide feedback.
Because this is an Open Education Resource (OER) and publicly available for no charge, the math teaching community across the nation has created resources that align with lessons, including teaching slides, Desmos activities, videos, and extra practice resources for students who have not yet mastered concepts.
This program spans 6th grade math through Algebra II which means that students will be able to leverage established routines to enhance learning, and they will experience less structural and vocabulary transition between grades and courses.
Accessing Illustrative Mathematics Materials for Review
Illustrative Mathematics curriculum materials are Open Educational Resources (OER). Anyone can access them, as well as find extensive information about the Illustrative Mathematics program at: illustrativemathematics.org
The further review the actual lessons, parent, and student portions of the curriculum, please see Illustrative Mathematics at Kendall Hunt, one provider of the IM Certified Mathematics Curriculum.
The adoption committee will recommend the adoption of Illustrative Mathematics for 6th-8th grade math, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. The committee recognizes that the math, while well aligned to the standards, is sequenced differently than the previous high school materials, placing some of the Algebra II standards in Algebra I and vice versa. Work will need to be conducted to ensure the appropriate level of rigor in the Algebra II course to ensure readiness of Pre-calculus and Calculus. The committee also recognizes that a separate math program may need to be adopted to support the Pre-calculus and Calculus courses.