Portland Middle School Curriculum and Instruction

Curriculum

Academic assessment data and communication between teachers will help determine the instructional starting point for the 2020-2021 school year. Course content will be condensed to focus on priority standards at each grade-level. Initial unit of instruction will focus on a review of priority skills.

Instruction

A: Full Re-Opening

Instructional practices will be modified to reduce sharing of materials and to facilitate a switch to distance learning if needed. Digital resources and student-specific kits will be utilized to supplement traditionally shared hands-on materials. Practices being implemented will be easily transferable to distance learning, should the model of instruction need to change due to health data.

B: Hybrid

Instructional practices will be modified to reduce sharing of materials/text and to facilitate distance learning. Teachers will plan to teach half their students in person on M/T and repeat the lesson for the Th/F cohort. Asynchronous learning activities will be implemented when students are not in person. Access to academic and support personnel will be available.


C: Distance Learning

Instructional practices will maximize synchronous practices with 75% of instruction being delivered in real time. Teachers will meet with their classes in alignment with the existing in-person daily schedule and design lessons with real time learning, small group and independent work within the 87 minute instructional block. Independent work (homework) will be kept to a minimum outside the instructional time block.


Assessment

Grading will be in accordance with standard practice. Assessment tools will be modified to align with social distancing guidelines and priority learning standards. Universal Screening Assessments won't be given until after the first review unit is given over the first 2-3 weeks.

Social and Emotional Learning

  • The opening weeks of school will focus on adjusting to this new environment with more frequent Advisory lessons and activities.

  • Throughout the year their will be Social and Emotional Learning Lessons to re engage students in their learning while monitoring and responding to students’ needs.

  • School Climate Committee will be developed to include teachers, parents, students, and the principal. This committee will monitor and plan to respond to the needs of students as they enter this new school environment.

  • Students that may have been disengaged in the spring will be contacted by support staff to determine how to best support a successful start to the school year.

  • Portland Middle School Staff will reach out to all families at both a school and classroom level to welcome students back to the classroom environment and help them acclimate to in-school instruction prior to the beginning of the school year. This may be in the form of a virtual meet and greet.

  • Staff will participate in training around trauma informed classrooms and how to create a safe and welcoming environment for all learners.

  • Grade level and Unified Arts TEAMS will meet weekly to discuss students that are having difficulty engaging or adjusting to the current environment, and a tiered support plan will be developed when necessary.

Portland Public Schools Mental Health Team Website