Program of Studies

PENNCREST Board Approved Curriculum

(Kindergarten -12th Grade Learning Progressions)

PENNCREST Schools

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) District Wide

  • Designed by trained school staff and team members
  • Process for creating a safer more effective school culture and climate
  • Research based
  • Designed to teach and support positive behavior for all students
  • A system not a curriculum
  • Team-based
  • All students, all staff and all settings
  • Individual supports for about 3-7% of the school population of the most challenging behaviors

Anti Bullying Program

Bullying/Cyberbullying Prevention Policy

Board Revision May 2018

PENNCREST District Coordinator and Trainer:

Megan Cunningham

mcunningham@penncrest.org

Violence Prevention Works from Hazelden Publishing

PSD-Bully Prevention

Differentiated Instruction K-12

PENNCREST School District is requiring all teachers to differentiate their instruction to meet all levels of learners in their classrooms

In-service training, professional resource books in each library, and a Resource Binder with many articles and instructional suggestions are all ways the district is providing teacher help and support.

The district goal of using Differentiated Instruction is for every child to reach their potential.

The district definition of Differentiated Instruction is:

"Differentiated instruction is a philosophy that enables teachers to plan strategically in order to reach the needs of the diverse learners in classrooms today. Differentiated instruction is not a set of tools but a philosophy that a teacher embraces to reach the unique needs of every learner."

"A differentiated classroom is one in which the teacher responds to those needs (Tomlinson, 1999). Differentiated instruction gives a variety of options to successfully reach targeted standards, It meets learners where they are and offers challenging, appropriate options for them in order to achieve success."

"Teachers can differentiate:

-The content that students learn

-The assessment tools being used

-The performance tasks selected

-The instructional strategies used"

-Gayle Gregory

PENNCREST School District supports a Balanced Literacy approach for all students, and allows for differentiation of instruction. Balanced Literacy emphasizes the need for students to learn within the context of authentic reading and writing across the genres. Balanced Literacy requires a prescribed approach to Word Study. Word Study includes concepts of phonics, grammar, mechanics, spelling, and vocabulary. During the 2017-18 school year, a team of teacher-leaders developed a comprehensive curriculum for ELA in grades K-12 for a learning progression for all students. In 2018 - 2019 implementation and continued support with aligning to the PA Core will be continued to be supported, (Reading, Writing, and Word Study) for grades K-12. Teachers in grades K-12 will start the 2018-19 school year with a complete English Language Arts curriculum that is fully aligned to PA Core Standards.

Each year, the administration of the PENNCREST School District sets goals for the school year through the Strategic Planning Process. Several major curriculum initiatives were set for the 2017-18 school year. The following is a brief overview of these initiatives:

  • Improve Learning for Students- Teachers will be taking a closer look at assessment throughout the school year through PLC daily meetings and in-service activities. Writing workshop staff support K-6 with a district writing coach.
  • Intervention and Extension time to assist students with growth towards academic achievement. WIN (What I Need) for 30 minutes daily at the Elementary and the Secondary has WINN (What I Need Now) for the first time a minimum of twice a week.
  • I to 1 iPads utilized as a tool to enhance learning opportunities.


Balanced Literacy K-6 Program

A balanced literacy framework consists of three blocks: language/word study, reading workshop, and writing workshop. This document provides a list of the components which you will see in each block. The balanced literacy framework utilizes best practices for reading and writing instruction and is seen across all PENNCREST elementary schools with a variety of research-based resources.

Primary

Reading Workshop

  • Guided Reading
  • Managed Independent Learning

Writing Workshop

  • Writing Conferences
  • Independent Writing
  • Guided Writing
  • Small Group Interactive Writing

Language & Word Study

  • Interactive Read Aloud
  • Shared Reading
  • Community Writing (Shared Writing & Interactive Writing)
  • Phonics/Word Study/Spelling
  • Storytelling
  • Handwriting

Intermediate

Reading Workshop

  • Independent Reading
  • Guided Reading
  • Literature Study

Writing Workshop ( Writing Workshop Presentation by Jackie Sada, District Writing Coach K-6)

  • Independent Writing
  • Guided Writing
  • Investigations

Language & Word Study

  • Interactive read Aloud
  • Word Study
  • Modeled or Shared Reading / Writing
  • Readers' Theater / Process Drama
  • Choral Reading
  • Poetry Sharing / Response
  • Interactive Edit / Vocabulary
  • Test Reading and Writing

Middle Level

Literacy Workshop

  • Genre Study
  • Reading Workshop
  • Writing Workshop
  • Word & Vocabulary Study
  • Literacy in the Content Area