Embedded Files
Domain Summary: 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.
At Manchester Jr/Sr High School (MJSHS), STEM opportunities continue to broaden as students take advantage of internships, work-based learning, advanced placement classes, and a wide-range of Career and Technical Education (CTE) course offerings. Teachers meet not only with content area collaborative teams, but also with grade level teams to discuss cross curricular connections and curriculum development. Labs are equipped with tools that facilitate hands-on, experiential learning across the curriculum. Strategic plans include the addition of more collaborative space and state of the art equipment as we continue to chase excellence in all that we do. As innovative problem solvers (one of the six Portrait of a Graduate attributes), MJSHS is committed to developing opportunities for students across business, marketing, industrial tech, agriculture, and art to work together on authentic projects and business ventures. Teams work in a continuous cycle of improvement, to ensure the units taught align with best practices in instruction and assessment. Our mission is to create robust learning experiences that equip and empower students to create solutions to real world problems, to think deeply, and to stay curious. These attributes are the why that drives what we do and how we do it.
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.
*Science Olympiad, a National organization founded in 1984, was recognized as a model program by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices. Activities at all grade levels are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards and cover all STEM disciplines. MCS has a wealth of success stories generated from our participation in Science Olympiad. Many of our students have cultivated a passion and have chosen a STEM career as a result of their participation in Science Olympiad.
Key Focal Points, Concepts, and Common Language
Literacy
Three Dimensions
Practices (Process Standards)
Crosscutting Concepts
Integrated Core Content (Academic Standards)
Developmentally Progressive
Place-based
2.1 Curriculum Integration
2.1 Curriculum Integration
At least 50 percent of planned, integrated STEM curriculum is evidence-based
Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad
The National Science Olympiad has aligned events to the Next Generation Science Standards. These standards reflect activities that address engineering and science process standards that have been incorporated into classroom activities.
2021.NGSS_.Alignment.DivB_ - Sue Gnagy.pdfNewton Scooters
Newton Scooters
To design and construct a vehicle that is powered only through Newton's Third Law of Motion -- "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." This vehicle is to travel a distance of 1.5 meters. It must completely cross the finish line and stay within a 1 meter wide course. You will have to demonstrate and explain your scooter's features. You must also explain which friction forces affect your scooter and how the friction forces, and gravity, affect your scooter, and how the scooter demonstrates Newton's Third Law of Motion.
PBL Newton Scooters - Jabin Burnworth.pdfPBL Invasion
PBL Invasion
In this project students will learn what invasive species are and why they are so damaging to native ecosystems. They will form a company and create a novel product that will help to slow the spread or get rid of an invasive species of their choosing based on research about that species. Next, they will create a prototype 3-D or 2-D model of their product that demonstrates how the product would work to reduce or remove the invasive species. Finally they will create a google slide presentation and sales pitch that will be presented, along with their prototype model to a board of conservation-minded investors to try to persuade them to invest in their product.
PBLInvasiveInventions_Project_Planner - Jabin Burnworth.pdfCams and Targets
Cams and Targets
Students design a cam that would launch a ball at the right velocity to land on a target at a specified distance away.
World's Fair
World's Fair
7th grade World's Fair. This integrated unit blends all content disciplines and emphasizes the 4C's - communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Classes from other buildings are invited to the fair and learn from our 7th grade students.
STEM Curriculum
STEM Curriculum
7th & 8th grade teachers use a variety of engaging, evidence-based STEM curriculum including NSTA Press/STEM Road Maps, Buck Institute, and CREATE2THINK PBL units. CREATE2THINK offers 8 units per grade level. This is the Unit Roadmap for one of the 8th grade units.
8-Periodically Learning the Elements-Unit Plan.pdfCREATE2THINK STEM/PBL units follow the 5E model of instruction so students build a strong foundation of knowledge through active participation.
2.2 Computer Science
2.2 Computer Science
Multiple computer science courses are available to all students
Lesson planning document example for all 7th grade science courses in conjunction with the Director of Technology to plan and implement Science Olympiad lessons on technical reading, writing and coding.
STEM - Scratch Section - Sue Gnagy.pdfComputer Science Resume
Computer Science Resume
This pre-assessment gives the teacher an idea of student coding knowledge prior to classroom instruction.
Courses Offered for 19/20 and/or 20/21: Digital Citizenship 7, STEM 7, Engineering 8/Robotics, Intro to Computer Science AP, Intro to Engineering Design, Journalism (includes Graphic Design), Middle School Computer Science Independent Study. Addition for SY 21/22 - 4801, Computer Science I and for SY 22/2 - 5236, Computer Science II. Students also have access to computer science courses through Heartland Career Center and Manchester University. Dual credit courses are offered through Ivy Tech. Course offerings will continue to evolve as we transition from Perkins IV & V to Next Level Programs of Study (class of 2025).
PBL unit 7th grade. In this unit students were doing a novel study based on the book Wonder. Students were to answer the driving question - What does bravery/courage look like? In order to do so, students had to create an iMovie with narration that symbolized what they view as bravery/courage. Additionally, students learned about various genetic disorders (science integration) and created a group Slide presentation sharing what they learned.
Principles of Engineering Coding
Principles of Engineering Coding
Students were tasked with coding a madlib using Python in the Principles of Engineering course.
Principles of Engineering Coding assignment #1 - Aaron Hooks.pdfCREATE2THINK units incorporate standards based computer science for 100% of students. Refer to page 4 on document for example of how this particular unit integrates computer science standards throughout the phases in a 7th grade unit.
7-Tiny Home Builders-Unit Plan.pdfExample of Computer Science standards incorporated into one of the 7th grade CREATE2THINK units.
CREATE2THINK/EMPLOYABILITY SKILL CROSS-WALK
CREATE2THINK/EMPLOYABILITY SKILL CROSS-WALK
STEM Indiana Employability Skills Crosswalk.pdf2.3 Employability Skills
2.3 Employability Skills
Employability Skills Standards, based upon the appropriate grade band, are integrated into the school curriculum for 100 percent of students
Developing Job Based Employability Skills
Developing Job Based Employability Skills
Emails with the president of Instrumental Machine & Development. He mentions that a Manchester student works for him, and would like more Manchester students.
IMD correspondence with Todd Speicher - Jabin Burnworth.pdfThe R.I.S.E. classroom, or Resilient Individuals Succeeding in Education, provides a namesake for the closely knit crew of students. The opportunities that R.I.S.E. students have experienced through this class allow them to become active members of our school community. Through developing their academic and social skills, along with job training and vocational skills.
Sammy Sale picture is the advertisement for the combined efforts of the business, marketing, and RISE classes to put together a school store to represent sales and employment skills based on student work. The website was created to share the items available for sale both within the school during school hours and at the 2 designated basketball games. This was a combined group project from all of these classes to create something that was then taken to the intermediate school for one day of sales for students as a way for younger students to have an opportunity to do some holiday shopping.
MHS Next Level Planning Grant Support Letter from Grow Wabash County.pdf
Grow Wabash County helps MCS connect our students with internships, work-based and entrepreneurial learning experiences. Students learn first-hand about education requirements, employability skills, and job expectations. Pictured below, MCS students participate in the Innovate WithIN pitch competition. MCS student, Lillian Hermann, earned first place for her business pitch for Millie & Mabel. (see Our Story on the right)
CREATE2THINK incorporates Employability Skill Standards in every unit for 100% of students. (Refer to page 4)
7-Tiny Home Builders-Unit Plan.pdfExample of the Employability Skill Standards incorporated in a 7th grade CREATE2THINK unit
2.4 Equity
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
Make It Your Own Collaborative Training
Make It Your Own Collaborative Training
This slide presentation showcases the work accomplished by a team consisting of the district media specialist, middle school special education teacher, middle school paraprofessional, and high school media center assistant from a "Make It Your Own" workshop. The team developed K - 12 material that enhanced learning opportunities for diverse populations and introduced new instructional tools for teachers to add to their "toolbox."
Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Training
Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Training
MCS teachers received SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) training during one of our Professional Development Workdays. Linked above is the document shared with teachers during this training. We are in year 1 of our 3-year SIOP rollout plan. Our ultimate goal is to use the SIOP model in each content area to assure class content is comprehensible for English Language Learners.
At the High School, teachers collaborate each quarter with the EL Director during PLCs to discuss student needs. This year we have focused on accommodations using the WIDA Can-do descriptors and the student's ILP. Next year, as we move to phase 2 of our SIOP rollout plan, we will be focusing on content and language objectives and comprehensible input strategies.
EL Resources for Teachers
EL Resources for Teachers
The EL Department compiled a Padlet of online tools and resources for classroom teachers to assist with planning and accommodations.
Lesson Plans, Activities & Documents with Planned Supports and Modifications
Lesson Plans, Activities & Documents with Planned Supports and Modifications
Cell parts were modified for certain students in biology. Students were given a laminated cell diagram. The terms were also laminated and students physically matched the terms with the diagram. The manipulative improved scores dramatically. Traditionally, students would label the diagram without a word bank.
2.5 Assessments
2.5 Assessments
At least 75 percent of teachers use a variety of assessment methods for students to demonstrate STEM learning
Rubrics to assess a coding PBL (one rubric assesses game mechanics, the other game play) developed from the Science Olympiad event, Game On. This rubric is used in 7th grade STEM.
STEM Game-On Rubric Final Project - Sue Gnagy.pdfRemote Garage Door Opener Task Assessment
Remote Garage Door Opener Task Assessment
The attached design task demonstrates an assessment breakdown for students.
Garage door opener - Aaron Hooks.pdfStatistics STEM Rubric
Statistics STEM Rubric
The chapter 1-2 Statistics Project. Students organize and design an experiment (or observational study) to gain insight in a topic of interest.
Chapters 1-2 Statistics Project - Sue Gnagy.pdfCommercial Advertising Hypothesis
Commercial Advertising Hypothesis
The Hypothesis Testing Project. Students direct and record a commercial advertising a claim they have supported with a hypothesis test.
Chapter 7 Hypothesis Testing Project - Sue Gnagy.pdfEach 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.
7-Tiny Home Builders-ELA PT.pdfEach 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.
7-Tiny Home Builders-Math PT.pdfTeachers utilize the rubric component of C2T for each unit to assess students learning through the 5E model phases.
7-Tiny Home Builders-Rubric.pdfThe THINK Journal is one component within each of the C2T PBL units that teachers use to assess students learning.
7-Tiny Home Builders-THINK Journal.pdfAnother 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.
7-Tiny Home Builders-Exit Tickets.pdfReport abuse