Curriculum
North Elementary provides formative and summative assessments to measure the efficacy of our schoolwide STEM program. We have metrics in place to ensure that all students have access to STEM instruction. We are integrating STEM instruction with an emphasis on developing student’s employability skills.
All teachers at North Elementary are using a variety of ways to assess their student’s ability to collaborate and solve real world problems. Lesson plans are submitted to the principal each semester with assessments included to ensure that all students are receiving STEM instruction with appropriate assessments.
Formative assessments such as exit tickets and checks for understanding help keep students on task. Summative assessments are given at the end of projects to measure the understanding of concepts and skills associated with the activity. Special needs students are provided resources within the general education environment. Resource teachers are used to support students with special needs to help facilitate their participation during STEM activities.
All students receive instruction in Media Literacy and Innovate classes. CS First, Code.org, PLTW and Picture Perfect are some of the curricular programs used to meet the standards at each grade level. These programs contain their own assessments. Teachers also use assessments provided by the publishers of adopted materials approved by the state of Indiana.
Surveys of all stakeholders are taken to assess North Elementary’s success promoting STEM programs and opportunities in the community. The STEM committee will use this feedback to establish priorities for improving our program to fulfill our stated mission.
2.1 Curriculum Integration
To meet the need for evidence based curriculum, teachers were provided with training and curriculum. This training includes Code.org, CS First, Picture Perfect, and PLTW. All students have access to at least one of these programs. These programs are all on the IDOE approved list of evidence based curriculums.
2.2 Computer Science
Evidence includes examples of how CS First and Code.org (also on the IDOE-approved curriculum list) are used in the classroom. State computer standards and North Elementary's Innovate schedule are also included to show how time is secured to teach these skills.
2.3 Employability Skills
Employability skills are often based on knowledge, technical skills and attitude – skills which employers greatly value in their employees. STEM aims to highlight top skills to students to further the student's ability for real-world employment and advanced educational opportunities. Evidence for this indicator is demonstrated through the lesson plan examples provided and agendas from our staff meetings in which these skills were addressed with our staff.
2.4 Equity
Evidence for this indicator has been provided to show the collaboration between our general education teachers and our special education staff. We have supported this by providing a copy of our master schedule, along with a summary of our supports. Our school prides itself on meeting the individual needs of all of our students and teachers through the supports described in this section. Lesson plans have been provided to show the integration of STEM into all content areas.
2.5 Assessments
In order to measure our students' progress and growth with regards to STEM, our teachers use a variety of assessment methods. In the folder to the right, we have included samples of these various assessments (ex. projects with rubrics, learning by doing, interactive formative assessment tools, exit tickets, checks for understanding, etc.). We have also provided professional development for our teachers on effective assessment methods with STEM.
