Curriculum

Domain Summary: Curriculum

Well-trained, passionate educators are our most important resource. Curriculum is selected based on identified high priority Indiana Academic Standards (cross-curricular inquiry-based approach), the Next Generation Science Standards, and the Framework for 21st Century Learning and aligned to the Indiana Department of Education’s STEM Six-year Strategic Plan. Age-appropriate employability skills and career exploration are intentionally embedded into curriculum frameworks. Teachers seek ways to bring the curriculum to life by developing cross curricular lessons, exposing students to authentic contexts (field trips, guest speakers, local issues), and providing opportunities for extending the learning.

STEM at Manchester Elementary School (MES) is driven by authentic, place-based learning. Our model is much more than a curriculum, it is a mindset. At the earliest ages, students are referred to as practicing scientists and engineers. Students are immersed in STEM and Computer Science during their “specials” rotations as well as in their classrooms.

Exemplary resources in the hands of stellar educators has allowed MES to develop a STEM program that connects our youngest scientists and engineers to local issues/opportunities while introducing multiple career pathways. Create2THINK units provide a comprehensive approach to learning with cross-curricular connections to high priority academic standards as well as links to career exploration and employability skill development. Teachers also use NSTA Press, a recognized leader in science education. NSTA trade books contain up to date classroom-ready, inquiry-based activities that promote literacy, creativity and exploratory thinking. Cornell Lab, a world leader in Ornithology, brings STEM to life with age-appropriate, authentic field research and innovative technology. The BirdSleuth curriculum and Citizen Science projects take our students from information consumers to practicing scientists. Mystery Science lessons are often used as “hooks” to spark excitement and develop schema.

The district provides robust extracurricular offerings to all students. All buildings offer after school computer clubs. These clubs provide extensions to the computer science content taught in the classroom. Additionally, the intermediate, junior, and senior high schools offer robotics and Science Olympiad. Our FFA program has received national recognition and provides unique STEM learning experiences to our junior/senior high school students. Elements of robotics, Science Olympiad, and FFA are woven into our elementary curriculum.

Key Focal Points, Concepts, and Common Language

1. Literacy
2. Three Dimensions
  1. Practices (Process Standards)
  2. Crosscutting Concepts
  3. Integrated Core Content (Academic Standards)
3. Developmentally Progressive
4. Place-based

2.1 Curriculum Integration

At least 50 percent of planned, integrated STEM curriculum is evidence-based

5-E Based Lesson Plan

This is an example of a lesson plan from the first grade component of our district-wide bird initiative (The Purpose of Parts).

The Purpose of Parts Gr 1 - Sue Gnagy.pdf

Students Exploring the Microscopic Makeup of Feathers

After proper instruction and preparation, microscopes and other essential scientific instruments are used by our youngest scientists and engineers as they explore the world around them. (pictured: 1st grade)

Microscope: Feathers - Sue Gnagy.jpg

Engineering Design Process Unit

In this unit, students are tasked with following the Engineering Design Process in order to repurpose an item of refuse.

IMG_2652 (1) - Sue Gnagy.JPG

CREATE2THINK STEM/PBL units follow the 5E model of instruction so students build a strong foundation of knowledge through active participation.

STEM 1 pager (2).pdf

The Purpose of Parts 5-E Lesson in Action

Mrs. Lambert teaches students about structure & function. (top photo) Below, Mrs. Hill covers the anatomy of a feather to prepare students for "look fors" in their upcoming microscope investigation.

Talons - Sue Gnagy.jpg

Anatomy & Types of Feathers (1) - Sue Gnagy.jpg

What to Do with a Box K-2 5-E Lesson Plan

What to Do With a Box - Sue Gnagy.pdf

PictureSTEM Toy Box Organizer

This PBL unit is another example of Evidence Based Curriculum as it is currently on the Indiana Department of Education's Vetted Curriculum List.

PictureSTEM-Toy-Box-Organizer - Sue Gnagy.pdf

Each grade level utilizes the CREATE2THINK PBL units. This is the Unit Roadmap for one of the 3rd grade units.

3-Green Thumb-Unit Plan.pdf

2.2 Computer Science

Elementary and Middle School: Standards-based computer science content is incorporated into the school curriculum for 100 percent of students

STEM Specialist Job Description

MES hired a STEM specialist at the beginning of the 18/19 school year. ALL students receive STEM and Computer Science as "specials" in addition to the STEM and CS content they experience in their classrooms. Mr. Eichenauer, our MES STEM specialist, teaches PK - 3rd grade students, collaborates/co-teaches with colleagues, maintains the outdoor learning lab, connects with parents, seeks community partnerships and assists in grant writing.

Job Description - STEM Specialist_Math Interventionist - Sue Gnagy.pdf

CREATE2THINK units incorporate standards based computer science for 100% of students. Refer to page 4 on document. This particular unit focuses on 1 of the 3rd grade computer science standards throughout the phases.

3-Green Thumb-Unit Plan.pdf

PictureSTEM Toy Box Organizer

This PBL unit was one of three presented at the IDOE STEM Showcase. This unit is used by our 2nd grade teachers. This PBL meets a variety of academic and design process standards across the curriculum. Computer Science Standards Data and Information

• K-2.DI.1 Use technology resources to solve age-appropriate problems and communicate thoughts, ideas, or stories in a step-by-step manner.

• K-2.DI.2 Understand how to arrange (sort) information into useful order, such as sorting students by birth date, without using a computer.

Programs and Algorithms

• K-2.PA.3 Arrange information using concept mapping tools and a set of statements that accomplish a simple task.

PictureSTEM-Toy-Box-Organizer - Sue Gnagy.pdf

Example of a Computer Science standard incorporated into a 3rd grade CREATE2THINK unit.

2.3 Employability Skills

Employability Skills Standards, based upon the appropriate grade band, are integrated into the school curriculum for 100 percent of students

CREATE2THINK incorporates Employability Skill Standards in every unit for 100% of students. (Refer to page 4)

2-No Beans About It-Unit Plan.pdf

CREATE2THINK/INDIANA EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS CROSS-WALK

STEM Indiana Employability Skills Crosswalk.pdf

EXAMPLE

This is an example of the how the units incorporate the Employability Skills. Each unit focuses on 1 or 2 with intentionality.

2.4 Equity

General education teachers are connected with appropriate special education teachers and support services teachers (ENL, Interpreters, etc...) for necessary material development and refinement for diverse learners based upon their understanding of students' academic needs

Our ENL department collaborates regularly with general education teachers and develops comprehensive plans for providing instructional support throughout the day for all grade levels. SPED and GE teachers collaborate during PLC's to discuss supports for individual students as well.

Collaborative Planning

Teachers at Manchester Elementary collaborate together with grade-level teams, specials teachers, and support staff on a weekly basis to incorporate cross-curricular materials to inspire students in a variety of fields. Special focus teams (High Ability, Math, Literacy, Technology, MTSS) meet (at least) monthly to discuss instructional best practices, student and curricular needs. To the right is a copy of the notes from the High Ability March meeting.

HAP Team Meeting Notes - March 2021

2.5 Assessments

At least 75 percent of teachers use a variety of assessment methods for students to demonstrate STEM learning

The THINK Journal is one component within each of the C2T PBL units that teachers use to assess students learning.

2-No Beans About It-THINK Journal.pdf

Teachers utilize the rubric component of C2T for each unit to assess students learning through the 5E model phases.

Another component from the C2T that teachers utilize to assess student learning is the Exit Ticket. These are administered to students at the end of each phase within the unit to address misconceptions or misunderstandings before moving them on to the next phase.

2-No Beans About It-Exit Tickets.pdf

Each C2T STEM/PBL unit includes a Math Performance Task mirrored from ILEARN. This allows students to demonstrate their learning and understanding as well serving as an additional assessment piece.

2-No Beans About It-Math PT.pdf

Each C2T STEM/PBL unit includes an ELA Performance Task mirrored from ILEARN. This allows students to demonstrate their learning and understanding as well serving as an additional assessment piece.

2-No Beans About It-ELA PT.pdf

PictureSTEM-Designing-Hamster-Habitats_April-2018.pdf

The PictureSTEM Project includes an instructional unit with a variety of assessment methods (peer review, progress, and mastery) at each grade level, K-2, which employs engineering and literary contexts to integrate science, technology, mathematics, and computational thinking content instruction in meaningful and significant ways. These transformative new models for STEM+C (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computational thinking) learning use picture books and an engineering design challenge to provide students with authentic, contextual activities that engage learners in specific science, mathematics, and computational thinking content while integrating across traditional disciplinary boundaries. These units have been classroom tested and research has been published and is ongoing regarding student learning and teacher implementation in the classroom.

Classroom teachers incorporate a variety of rubrics to assess student skills.

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